Mri results

mwolf2022 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-16-2011, 03:53 PM

So I finally had a new MRI , and got the results yesterday.All my disc above the fusion are normal.No bulges , herniations , stenosis.

The fused level(l5-S1) looks good to.The report does state that there is a lot of scar tissue midline and to the right of the fused level surrounding the nerve root.

My question now is can the scar tissue be causing all this pain , and if so what can be done to calm it down.I cannot sit at all as my buttock feels like it is on fire.

jsewell · #2 (**permalink**) 03-16-2011, 10:47 PM

I am by far not a professional , just a spiney like you. But it sure sounds as if the scar tissue is causing your problem. What did your doctor say or have you not seen him yet?
I've had scar tissue and lots of it removed from my knee, but i sure don't know about the spine or other places in the body.
judy

Maria · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2011, 07:38 AM

I'm not sure if it does or doesn't cause alot of pain although it was certainly blamed for my pain post my failed second disectomy at L4 and previous to this I had a discectomy at L5S1 and developed scar tissue at rt S1 nerve root. Had terrible burning in buttocks down legs/calves/to bottom of feet tho worse burning pain was in buttocks and legs for 5 years post failed 2nd surgery. Was told that the sacral nerve roots all exit same place and had clumped together re scar tissue so pain signals getting mixed up/diffuse pain vs. localized. Not sure how accurate that *diagnosis* was though it seemed to fit the pain bill at the time.

I had about a year of myofasical releases along with much done with piraformis work done for about a year as well I started to get significant relief in buttocks re burning pain although not sure how much was coincidental, also started pain meds and ESIs about the same time. I really think the piraformis work helped quite a bit though.

Essentially scar tissue was blamed for my burning pain for those years until MRIs showed rebulging of L4 and L5S1 disc levels and after the really bad burning pain went away I was left mostly with back pain that had worsened re DDD, L3 annular tear, L4 and L5S1 disc rebulging.

So you might want to see if you can find a good physiotherapist that can work with your regarding scar tissue formation. Years ago I was told that I could have a RAZC (??) procedure to try to get rid of scar tissue though it supposedly works best (if at all) with new scar tissue formation like during the first year.

I recall Dr.Anthony Yeung saying something like giving a diagnosis of scar tissue as a cause of pain is because it's not known what's actually causing the pain. That's really paraphrasing and I'm sure Mark or someone else could straighten that out for me.

I also think I recall there's good scar tissue and bad scar tissue or perhaps scar tissue has it's place in healing though perhaps too much of it is a bad thing and/or in the wrong place(s)like around nerves/nerve roots. Hope you can get someone to work with you to break it up or ??get it removed if thought that would be successful tho not sure how successful that's thought to be.

If you're having burning type pain related to scar tissue have you tried Lyrica, Neurontin, Topamax, or some such drug like this for some relief? good luck!

mwolf2022 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-17-2011, 05:13 PM

I did talk to a PM doctor and he said he could give me a ESI in that area and see if I get any relief.

I also will try and set up an appointment with a another DR and get there impression.I have been stretching every day for months , and the pain stays the same.

I do have a rx for neurontin , so I will see if that helps.

Maria · #5 (**permalink**) 03-18-2011, 09:28 AM

Try them both and see if you get some relief. Whatever works to help reduce pain.. I took Elavil for 5 years re neuropathies and then Neurontin for 12 years and just was able to stop taking it this past summer. ESIs used to really help me (had them for 10 years). Hope either or both are helpful to you!

mwolf2022 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-18-2011, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

Try them both and see if you get some relief. Whatever works to help reduce pain.. I took Elavil for 5 years re neuropathies and then Neurontin for 12 years and just was able to stop taking it this past summer. ESIs used to really help me (had them for 10 years). Hope either or both are helpful to you!

I will try the ESI , set up for wednesday.Hopefully I get some relief .Looking for another DR to try and get a fresh look at my situation.

Wish me luck

Mike