Scar Tissue

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StevieRayFan

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In this thread, http://www.healtrabroadoarRAB.com/boarRAB/showthread.php?t=618306 you discuss scar tissue.

Could you guys please explain the scar tissue part a little more specifically? Scar from where? I personally had an anterior fusion. Are you referring to scar tissue from a posterior incision?

Thanks.
 
Stevie,

Your post has been moved from another thread. Always start your own thread when asking your own questions. When you ask a question on someone elses thread, you question may take over the thread and the originators question/problem may be lost in the responses.

I have revised your post so that others will understand your question better by providing a link to the other thread.

Thank you for your cooperation.
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Dear Stevie, When scar tissue forms near the nerve root-it's called epidural fibrosis. My research and PM doc ,says it is very common. When our body goes into a "repair mode", scar tissue formation becomes part of the natural healing process after ANY surgery or traumatic injury. When this scar tissue causes BACK or LEG pain, it's because it is impinging on the LUrabAR nerve root by the scar tissue or fibrosis adhesions. Symptoms usually appear 6-12 weeks AFTER surgery. This is usually PRECEEDED by an initial period of PAIN RELIEF after surgery(what happened to me). Hope this helps--janiee:)
 
Thank you Janiee,

The scar would be by the incision, then? Mine was done from the front. I had cages screwed to the L4 & L5 vertebra, and S1. As far as I know there was no cutting anywhere near there. Should I be concerned? I'm 9 weeks out and still have strong pain in the evenings, though leg pain has diminished I'm happy to say.

Thanks for the response. I appreciate it very much!

SRF
 
The scar tissue is internal. I honestly don't know much about how anterior fusions go re: scar tissue. Please consult your doc. or perhaps someone here can chime in. --janiee
 
I had discs removed between L4/L5/S1, with cages screwed in. When I think "scar" I'm thinking muscle or skin tissue, not bone. Since my incision was from the front, I can;t imagine scar tissue from there affecting my spine.

Is there scar tissue which builRAB or forms upon the vertebra itself, which could bulge out or in any way affect the nerves? I am confused about this, and would appreciate a specific explanation of what this is, and who it affects.

I'm thinking this does not apply to me, because I have not had a posterior incision. Nevertheless, can this be explained please?

Thanks in advance!
 
Stevie, I will take a stab at explaining this but keep in mind this is simply my laymans understanding and I am simply another spinney. Scar tissue forming is part of the normal healing process after a spine surgery or any other surgery anywhere in the body. When one has surgery, tissue and muscle are cut. During back surgery especially when they insert cages, they literally have to pick up the nerve root exiting out of the vertebrae and put it to the side so that they may insert the cage.

You are going to have some scar tissue no matter what you do from the act of the muscle being cut/nerve manipulated. Scar tissue can be a cause of pain after surgery, due to anchoring/binding of the lurabar nerve root by adhesions.

It does not matter if your incision is abdominal/posterior/from the side. Anytime you are cut, it is possible. Have you heard of women for example that have had abdominal surgery and they have to go back in and remove scar tissue/adhesions? It happens in the knee when they do kness surgery. My Dad had to have his hardware removed because scar tissue grew up over the hardware and everytime he moved it was rubbing and popping the tissue causing pain. It is simply a fact of life.

Is there anything they can do to stop it? There used to be this stuff they sprayed on the operative area but FDA pulled it off the market. Recently they have begun wrapping nerves in this netting material however some drs do not feel it work and only causes more problems. I believe it is called derma something. I will try to find out the name next time I see my surgeon and post it.

My doc recommenRAB pumping your foot like you are pressing on an accelerator from time to time and even when you pump it down hold it and count it to five, walking and once your incision is completely closed to sit in a pool or spa and gently move the legs or walk in the deep end of the pool. This is why they say walking is so important for us after surgery.

Also if you try picking up stuff while you are healing or doing to much to soon, it adRAB to the build up of scar tissue due to the muscle tearing and not being allowed to heal properly.

Hope this helps some and I have not confused you or scared you. Remeraber the best source of information is your surgeon.

Best of luck on your recovery.
 
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