@pauldandurand Paul, thanks for reaching out. From your posts, it sounds like your Pedicle screws loosened and your spine didn’t fuse. I am not surprised that the surgeon who operated seems to be casting this aside. Surgeons don’t want to fail or deal with something adverse. I went through this too years ago with carpal tunnel surgery that didn’t completely correct nerve pain because the doctor missed the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome that causes overlapping symptoms in the same nerves. I had to go in search of a doctor familiar with TOS and they are few.

I had spinal surgery at Mayo for a ruptured C5/C6 disc with Jeremy Fogelson at the Rochester campus 10 years ago. He is excellent and is a spine deformity expert and does some extensive surgery including scoliosis. He would be an excellent consultant if you can go to Mayo.

I have read a lot about spine surgery and pedicle screws can pull out if placed at the incorrect angle or if there is poor bone density to hold them. I have only had cervical surgery and Dr Fogelson’s advice to me to avoid future spine issues was to maintain good core strength. I do go to PT and I own a horse and riding just at a walk if very therapeutic building muscle strength. It helps me maintain good posture.

The other therapy that helps me is myofascial release and that is helpful for loosening surgical scar tissue that keeps getting tight. It may be worth seeing an MFR specialist and there is a provider search at mfrtherapists.com.

What sounds concerning is if there is instability developing in your spine and how much that affects you either now or in the future. If your fusion is not fused, the hardware must be holding the spine in place and that depends on good bone quality.

Do you plan to see another spine specialist for an evaluation ?