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Spinal fusion w/pelvic fixation (T-3-pelvis), having trouble. Ideas?
Spine Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
@karenoharmon
Hi Karen! I have been off this site for a few months because other things going on in life, but I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you are healing😊
What you said here is absolutely perfect! It says it all.
I am now 20 months postop and finally making good headway on the skin nerve pain. I think the last time I updated you, my physical therapist was starting to break apart the scar tissue and it was helping. She isn’t trained in myofascial release, but doing a lot of similar work as I first learned from @jenniferhunter
The past couple months, she has been working deeper along the incision line where the surgery scar tissue grew, and it is releasing pressure on the nerves across my back. She starts out with ultrasound treatment, and then goes into the muscle/scar work.
So yay! Great news that pants don’t hurt my back and that I can use the back scrub brush in the shower without it hurting. And the numbness is completely gone. And of course, none of it compared to the pain that I had before surgery. All of that is gone and it’s so wonderful to be able to work on the ranch and hike and ride bikes and have a normal life again!
So how are you doing? Are you making progress with your skin nerve pain?
I recently saw a couple people post the same symptoms on a Facebook spine surgery group, and I’ve tried to share my experience with them too. It doesn’t sound like it’s that common, but has more to do with the fact that our bodies grow a lot of scar tissue.
Wishing you the very best!
Sherry
Replies to "@karenoharmon Hi Karen! I have been off this site for a few months because other things..."
@sherrym25 so great to hear from you!!! You are my goal! It sounds like your life is returning to normal and I so love that for you! Yay for pants – and I'm trusting you are back in your jeans?
I would say that as for movement and mobility, I am right on target. That nerve pain though~. It is so frustrating! My pt and I decided to wait until after I had the next scans before he started the myofascial release. He tried a couple of months ago and I was in tears – and he was afraid of getting hit;-). So, not making the progress I would like. The sensitive area is not quite as large as it was. Certain fabrics, the shower, the back of chairs – even my husband can fire off those nerves in a very unpleasant way. The surgeon and the pt both said that their thought is the lack of muscle and fat contribute to the nerves being closer to the surface. I was mostly a pescatarian prior to surgery and they both encouraged me to add more protein to my diet. I'm not sure if this has helped in reducing the breadth of the sensitivity or was it just time?
I would be curious your thoughts on waiting to work on the tissue, and if anyone else has experience and knowledge. Also, in thinking about pt, I "graduated" if you will, as I had met the goals the surgeon had desired for mobility, and continue to work out on my own most days. Did you go outside the prescribed pt, or is this something that your doctor ordered?
I'm so happy for you and so encouraged by you! Thanks so much for checking in! Blessings, k
@sherrym25
Hi Sherry,
Good to hear from you! And, I am so happy that you are progressing in your recovery so well.🙏
Glad your nerve is issue is much better.
It must feel wonderful to hike and bike ride. Congratulations!
I am 5 months behind you--still walking on smooth ground and I look forward to hiking. Prior to my Osteoporosis and surgery, bike riding was one of my favorite activities.
I am due for another DEXA next year, and I'll see how that goes.🤞
Sending you my Best wishes as you continue to improve.🙏😊🙏 Nadine
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@sherrym25 It sounds like you’re doing great! I agree that loosening scar tissue helps so much. I work on my own physical issues with scar tissue. I broke my ankle 6 years ago and to keep the joint moving correctly, I need to loosen scars from the surgery. It used to cause my ankle to collapse in pain until I figured out that scar tissue was causing the joint to get tight and compressed together. I work on my neck too to work out muscle tightness and stretch.
I’m glad to hear from you.
Jennifer