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Is Persistent Pain After A Laminectomy Indicative Of A Spine Fracture?
Question: I had a discectomy and I woke up in excruciating pain. A week later a laminectomy to stop the pain. Epidural injection,Morhine,Dilaudid, nothing helps. Something does not seem right. My Dr. has released me and says it will take a year to get over this. Is it possible that my vertebrae was fractured? My Dr. said the disc had hardened and had to be broke away.
Brief Answer:
Images are limited for assessing fracture; pain occurs after surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank You for contacting HCM. My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Image you provided is single and its difficult to assess complete vertebra status. If i consider only this image then chances of fracture is unlikely. However, for proper assessment i need all the images. Post surgical pain occurs in such cases and it usually takes some time to show improvement. You need to continue taking analgesic medicines along with physiotherapy.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health !!
Images are limited for assessing fracture; pain occurs after surgery
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank You for contacting HCM. My name is Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf & i will look into your problem.
I have gone through your query and would try to help you in the best possible way. Image you provided is single and its difficult to assess complete vertebra status. If i consider only this image then chances of fracture is unlikely. However, for proper assessment i need all the images. Post surgical pain occurs in such cases and it usually takes some time to show improvement. You need to continue taking analgesic medicines along with physiotherapy.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Wishing you good health !!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Am I allowed to upload a mri disc?
Brief Answer:
Yes you can share complete data
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you can share complete data by emailing it at YYYY@YYYY with Sub: ATTN 'Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf'.
I'll get back to you as soon as i receive the images.
Thank you
Yes you can share complete data
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes you can share complete data by emailing it at YYYY@YYYY with Sub: ATTN 'Dr Muhammad Ali Rauf'.
I'll get back to you as soon as i receive the images.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Uploaded report
Brief Answer:
Fracture noted at L4 & L5 vertebra level; please see details
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the images. I have gone through the MRI & CT images. Salient features of both images are as under:
MRI:
Early onset of bit prominent degenerative changes appreciated in lower three lumbar disc levels. Post surgical unroofing appreciated behind L5-S1 level (due to recent surgery). Modic Type 1 changes are noted at L5-S1 level. However spinal canal is capacious.
....................
CT:
Chip fracture of anterosuperior border of L5 vertebra is noted. Slight irregularity of tip of anterosuperior aspect of L4 vertebra is also noted with fracture fragments in adjacent soft tissue.
.....................
The pain you are facing is most probably due to above mentioned small fracture areas. I would suggest you to once visit hospital and get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon & a physiotherapist. Orthopedic surgeon will prescribe medication while physiotherapist will guide you exercises to improve the stability of spine & pain.
Feel free to get back for if you have any follow-up query.
Thank You
Fracture noted at L4 & L5 vertebra level; please see details
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank you for getting back with the images. I have gone through the MRI & CT images. Salient features of both images are as under:
MRI:
Early onset of bit prominent degenerative changes appreciated in lower three lumbar disc levels. Post surgical unroofing appreciated behind L5-S1 level (due to recent surgery). Modic Type 1 changes are noted at L5-S1 level. However spinal canal is capacious.
....................
CT:
Chip fracture of anterosuperior border of L5 vertebra is noted. Slight irregularity of tip of anterosuperior aspect of L4 vertebra is also noted with fracture fragments in adjacent soft tissue.
.....................
The pain you are facing is most probably due to above mentioned small fracture areas. I would suggest you to once visit hospital and get an appointment for an orthopedic surgeon & a physiotherapist. Orthopedic surgeon will prescribe medication while physiotherapist will guide you exercises to improve the stability of spine & pain.
Feel free to get back for if you have any follow-up query.
Thank You
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Are these fractures common after discetomy procedures?
Can you send me screen shot images of the fractures?
Can you send me screen shot images of the fractures?
Brief Answer:
Limbus variant; occurs due to degenerative changes
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank You for the followup query. These areas are also called limbus vertebra and is a variant. They unlikely occur post surgery. There are prominent degenerative changes in the form of anterior & posterior osteophyte formation. These pointed osteophytes also contribute in pain. The main cause of pain is surgery, followed by osteophytes & limbus vertebra. As mentioned earlier, medical therapy along with physiotherapy can improve the condition and relieve pain.
Secondly, i have marked the limbus vertebra variant in both L4 & L5 vertebra along with pointed osteophytes. Images will be emailed to you by HCM in a while.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you speed recovery & good health !!
Limbus variant; occurs due to degenerative changes
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thank You for the followup query. These areas are also called limbus vertebra and is a variant. They unlikely occur post surgery. There are prominent degenerative changes in the form of anterior & posterior osteophyte formation. These pointed osteophytes also contribute in pain. The main cause of pain is surgery, followed by osteophytes & limbus vertebra. As mentioned earlier, medical therapy along with physiotherapy can improve the condition and relieve pain.
Secondly, i have marked the limbus vertebra variant in both L4 & L5 vertebra along with pointed osteophytes. Images will be emailed to you by HCM in a while.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help if not then don't forget to close the discussion and rate it.
Wishing you speed recovery & good health !!
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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