Sorry, I've been slacking with this blog.... It's been exactly 4 months since I had the 2-level ADR surgery. I had x-rays taken last month on 11/28/12 and had sent them in for review, but I have yet to hear from Dr. Clavel. I had hoped to hear from him by now considering it's never taken this long to get a response. I'm assuming it's because of the holiday season.... Anyways, I had the x-rays taken at my orthopedic surgeon's office. Dr. Asdourian said the images looked great; the implants are settling in nicely with the vertebrae. Of course that was great news. The only thing I'm slightly concerned about is the fact that I've been having constant pain in the anterior tibia muscle. This has been going on for the past 2 months now. Dr. Asdourian is not quite sure why I'm experiencing pain in that part of the leg. He gave me a plethora of reasons from scar tissue to possibly a pinched nerve, etc. He wants me to get either a MRI or a CAT scan (it depends on Dr. Clavel's recommendation) just to make sure a nerve isn't pinched. In the meantime, he prescribed Neurontin and Meloxicam in hopes it will help alleviate the pain.
 |
| Frontal View |
 |
| Lateral View |
Once I hear back from Dr. Clavel, I'll post an update. Thus far, I've been doing relatively well aside from the pain. I have already gone back to work full-time and have been driving around without any issues (yes, I still wear my back brace for safety precautions). I've regained most of my strength and flexibility...thanks to my awesome little family at Active Physical Therapy. (Tomorrow I'll be going in for another reevaluation so there is a good possibility my PT sessions will be coming to an end). I'm not as ecstatic as I thought I would be for hitting this milestone...perhaps my celebration will happen once I hear back from Dr. Clavel and get the reassurance I need that everything is going as well as expected.
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI have some nerve pain also. I had it before surgery too though. Your M6's look perfect on x ray! My therapist thinks my residual nerve issues are due to scar tissue in the foraminal space OR soft tissues that are now being used properly again. The scar tissue is something that will get "worn through" with nerve motion while stretching the hamstrings and moving the foot around. It is somewhat painful to do, but I think it helps. Also the nerves are stretching in conjunction with the hamstrings lengthwise. I'm curious what Dr. Clavel has to say. I wonder at what point can you take an anti inflammatory for pain? That might help too. I've tried to reach Yolanda lately with no response. The holidays are probably the cause. Hang in there. :)
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure at what point you're allowed to start taking anti-inflammatory medication, but my doctor prescribed it once I hit the 3-month mark. Meloxicam which is generic for Mobic is the anti-inflammatory I'm currently taking along with Neurontin which is also for the nerve pain. Actually, most of the residual nerve pain I was experiencing is just about gone. :) Yes, I definitely remember the hamstring stretches being quite painful early on. It gets much easier overtime. By any chance, have you received a response from Yolanda?
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI still haven't heard back from Yolanda. I think I will have to contact Dr. Clavel directly and find out when he thinks I could start taking an anti inflammatory. Probably after the 3 month motion xrays at the earliest I would imagine. I think we are both experiencing some of the backlash from not moving properly for a long time and that will take awhile to reslove. Thanks for.posting and I'll keep checking in. :) Happy healing.
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI have some good news. I finally heard back from Yolanda. It turns out they moved into a new office. Hopefully, you'll hear back from her soon. Yolanda said the residual nerve pain will disappear slowly overtime; sometimes it lasts more than 3 months. So you are absolutely correct. :) Sounds to me we're both right on track and have nothing to worry about. Happy healing :)
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteI went ahead and emailed Dr. Clavel directly. I hope I can start on the NSAID's soon. I think inflammation is entrapping the nerves and that leads to more inflammation. A viscous cycle when trying to be active in PT. I could also have some scarring either in the foraminal space or intaneurally. I don't know. I thought my discs were pressing on the nerves or at least restricting their movement, so with them gone and replaced with M6's they should be better. Unfortunately, my nerve symptoms in my legs and feet are not fading like yours are. I started taking Lyrical this week so maybe that will help. I'm glad you are progressing well now. The meds are probably helping. :) I'm "Buckeyeback" on ADRsupport.org by the way. Are you a member of that forum?
Take it easy. :)
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteHmm, I don't even have Dr. Clavel's email address. Is he better at responding in a timely manner? I had absolutely no idea the pain you were experiencing had not improved. Hopefully, your symptoms will start to diminish.
Honestly, the residual nerve pain I was experiencing became less severe till 2 months post surgery. At that time, the pain came back full force and was worse than prior to surgery. The medications I'm taking is helping to alleviate the pain. So I'll have to wait and see once I'm off the meds if the pain comes back. As far as that forum goes, I haven't perused the discussions since I went in for surgery. I found myself spending countless hours on there. :)
Hope your PT sessions are going well. I hope you're on your way to being pain-free soon! Good luck with your recovery. :)
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteDr. Clavel emailed back and started me on some NSAID's for the inflammation. At this point I am starting to think I am experiencing referred pain from my facet joints. From what I understand, it is possible to have pain in the foot from this. I believe it is possible because the nerve supply to the facet joint comes off the nerve root branchand you know how screwy nerves are. If not that then maybe my SI joint is giving me a problem since I didn't move properly for 4 years. I dunno. Dr. Clavel doesn't think I have foraminal stenosis so unless there is some scar tissue that is effecting the nerve root, they should be adjusting to their new space without the old disc jammed in there. All I know is that this back and nerve stuff is VERY complicated. For some people it takes longer to experience the full effectif having an ADR due to many other issues in the spine that have to be worked out. My hamstrings are finally stretching out pretty well now. :) Keep your core strong. Don't slack off on that. We M6ers have to keep 'em strong for the rest of our lives. If you want Dr. Clavel's email address, I can email it to you. I don't think it is any quicker though really. He is just so busy, which is understandable. Glad to hear you are feeling good.
Hey Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear your hamstrings are stretching out finally. How are the NSAIDs working for you? Has some of the pain subsided? Also, have you tried taking any supplements for your joints? I've been taking fish oil and glucosamine for my joints for well over a year now. I no longer have the foot pain you mentioned.
Yes, sir. I will stop slacking. :) I actually have gotten back into doing my own workout lifting dumbbells, doing crunches, and stretching my hamstrings.
I would love to have Dr. Clavel's email address. You can shoot me an email at suha1722@gmail.com. Thanks! Hope all is well.
Hi Suzie,
ReplyDeleteYes, the NSAID's are helping and I am feelinga little better. My 3 month X rays are coming up. I'll feel more confident when Dr. C gives me the thumbs up. :) I actually take vitamin supplements and omega fatty acids too. I'll send you an email. Have a great weekend.