Question
QUESTION: Hi Dr. Durnin,  I'm going to try and give you a quick description of my problem.  When I was a young teen I was in Gymnastics and fell on my neck.  You could hear everything crunch.  I was in the hospital for over a month in one of those old Milwaukee braces.  I was told then that I had a scoliosis. I had my first Migraine shortly after. Nothing was ever done and I learned to live with the pain in my upper back. I am now 59. In June of 2005 I woke up in excruciating pain in my lower back and the pain was, also, running down my legs. To make a long story short after fooling around with this with doctors, pain clinics you name it I tried it for 17 months I finally agreed to surgery.  I had surgery Oct of 2006. The surgeon did a decompression and a fusion around L4-L5 area. Shaved off 5 disks that were protruding.  Since the surgery I have still been in tremendous pain even though the MRI and X-rays look good.  The surgeon feels that my back is so bad and the curve is so severe that he wants me to think about another surgery so that he can fuse my whole back.  I decided to get a second opinion, but, I have a feeling that he is going to say the same thing. I do know how bad my back is.  Any suggestions or opinions that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks you, Toni

ANSWER: Hi Toni,

Get three maybe 5 opinions, total fusion is no answer, nerve ablation, facet injections can be quite helpful. Without the x-rays and MRI, CT films, I can only say the fusion should be avoided at all costs. Like always, I am willing to help further if needed by phone. It is 708-466-9994.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick  response.  Needless to say I was devastated when the Dr. sugjested more surgery.  I have been through physical therapy, numerous spinal injections, even a chiropractor and nothing is working.  I can't do  much of anything. What do you suggest if not surgery? All I know is that I cannot stay in this pain for the rest of my life.
Thank you, Toni

Answer
Your very Welcome Toni,

A properly trained pain specialist combined with a DC for the other treatable problems should easily be able to handle the pain with Fentanyl patches and Hydromorphone 80mg slow release tablets.  Used together, little to no pain and spinal correction can readily be achieved. Finding a willing Pain management Specialist may be the difficult part.


Good Luck!


Dr. Timothy Durnin