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What Does Severe Shooting Pain After Lumbar Fusion Procedure Indicate?
Posted on
Sat, 19 Nov 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 19 Nov 2016
Answered on
Mon, 12 Dec 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Just had long lumbar fusion Oct 22. From S1to L3. Healing has been normal. Mobutu today without warning I felt a really sharp pain only about the size of a dime just a few inches from the cut. Stopped me cold. I know you can't say for sure but is it "possible" the hardware moved, or something serious? Or could it be simple like internal stitches or just part of the healing process?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
However I don't believe it is a question of hardware having moved. It is not only because of the fact that the hardware is conceived to endure all sorts of stress. It is also because in the hypothetical case that happened the manifestations would be much more dramatic.
There would be intense pain which would be much more widespread than what you describe, often with nerve compression and irradiation of the pain in the limbs.
So I think the pain is only due to local inflammation and muscle tension in the wound area.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
However I don't believe it is a question of hardware having moved. It is not only because of the fact that the hardware is conceived to endure all sorts of stress. It is also because in the hypothetical case that happened the manifestations would be much more dramatic.
There would be intense pain which would be much more widespread than what you describe, often with nerve compression and irradiation of the pain in the limbs.
So I think the pain is only due to local inflammation and muscle tension in the wound area.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The area of pain is so small but intense. Could it be an internal stitch?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for answering a little late.
After a month I doubt that is the cause. Whatever type of suture you have and their current state, they have performed their function the walls of the wound have already started to merge together. The sutures now are simply to be slowly reabsorbed or to come out from the wound surface in same cases, but it is not a painful process.
Let me know if I can further assist you
Unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Sorry for answering a little late.
After a month I doubt that is the cause. Whatever type of suture you have and their current state, they have performed their function the walls of the wound have already started to merge together. The sutures now are simply to be slowly reabsorbed or to come out from the wound surface in same cases, but it is not a painful process.
Let me know if I can further assist you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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