Question
Hello.  I just recently, about 6 weeks ago, had my L-5 S-1 disc removed and bone fusion in that area.  I am 24 years old.  Disc replacement was not an option for my doctor, he said, because i have a cracked vertebrae.  Since the surgery i have been experiencing pain in my tailbone... sometimes the pain is unbearable at times.  My question is "Why am i experiencing this pain"?  Thank you for your time!!

Answer
Hi Kayla,

Chronic pain after this kind of surgery is common unfortunately, that's why it is used as the last resort.

Scar tissue proliferation is the most likely cause, find a D.C. that does internal coccygial adjustments. This procedure may be a bit uncomfortable but compared to living in pain the rest of your life, it is defiantly worth trying.
In the mean time, get a "doughnut" from Walgreens to sit on. it is a blow up device you sit on to relieve the pressure on your coccyx (tailbone).

To minimize further progression of scar tissue in the Lumbar area, get therapeutic ultrasound treatments 2-3X/wk for 6-8wks to dissolve it.

If you are not diabetic, take Glucosamine sulfate 3 grams/day for life. This is an inexpensive OTC supplement that has been proven to stop and in some cases reverse Osteoarthritis. Preferably, it will also contain MSM.

Too make sure you get the best supplements, go to consumerlabs.com. They are the "Consumer Reports " of the nutritional industry.

I hope everything turns out, if you need a referral, I am here to help-Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com