Is there a way to treat scar tissue related pain?

Hazmat · 08-01-2003, 10:14 AM

My last post and rant although made me feel better does nothing to address the issues. Does anyone know if there is anything that can be done to treat post operative scar tissue that is pushing/bonding on the nerves? I know stretching will help losen/stretch the nerve but is there anything else that can help? The pain down right leg and left calf is pretty intense. Any ideas?

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18 years old no trauma but severe leg pain
traction for 2 weeks didn't work
Epidurals, steriods didn't work
1988 triple disk Lamenectomy L3-4,L4-5,L5-S1. good for about 6 months pain on and off for the next 12 years
EMG shows nerve damage right leg
Nov. 2002 Triple Disk Lemanectomy, discectomy L3-4,L4-5, L5-S1. WORSE. MRI shows scar tissue causing pain. Neurosergeon says nothing can be done.
Seeing PM doc on Neurontin 1800 mg daily stopped taking neurontin effecting job performace
endocet 5/325 everyday

[This message has been edited by Hazmat (edited 08-01-2003).]

Kimdoc · 08-01-2003, 06:56 PM

I had L5-S1 surgery about 10 years ago. A year after the surgery I began having the same symptoms again. The doctor said that there was nothing wrong with the disc and that it was scar tissue and that there is nothing that can be done about that. I think that he gave me anti-inflamatories. I don't remember if they worked. For some reason I think another doctor later on told me that it is possible to surgically remove some of the scar tissue but that doctors don't really like to do that. I would do a search on the web about that and also ask your doctor.

go*big*red · 08-02-2003, 01:03 AM

I just wrote a really long post and lost it all *sniff*. So, this isn't going to be anything fancy this time.

Nuf to say that ultrasound and massage therapy helps to break down scar tissue as long as you don't have hardware in there.

Have had both on various scars on my body and......IT WORKS!

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gbr

JDD
2 Discograms
4 Level failed IDET
4 Confirmed torn lumbar discs, 2 full thickness
Issues now with c-spine & thoracic
Fusion of L5/S1 scheduled 3/5/03
Fusion successful - feeling better all the time
Major pain on L side of neck to shoulder - MRI revealed 2 shot discs (C5/6 & 6/7)
3 upper thoracic discs bulging as well

Hazmat · 08-05-2003, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the information. I have been off the board for the last few days. I will look into the ultra sound and the massage therapy actually seems like a benifit!! Thanks again. have a great day!
P.S. before I post anything I always copy what I write, just in case it doesn't go through!!!

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18 years old no trauma but severe leg pain
traction for 2 weeks didn't work
Epidurals, steriods didn't work
1988 triple disk Lamenectomy L3-4,L4-5,L5-S1. good for about 6 months pain on and off for the next 12 years
EMG shows nerve damage right leg
Nov. 2002 Triple Disk Lemanectomy, discectomy L3-4,L4-5, L5-S1. WORSE. MRI shows scar tissue causing pain. Neurosergeon says nothing can be done.
Seeing PM doc on Neurontin 1800 mg daily stopped taking neurontin effecting job performace
endocet 5/325 everyday

winged phantom · 08-05-2003, 08:04 PM

Hazmat,
I usually hang out on the Spinal board, but I was looking to see if someone new down there had posted here, as they are a lumbie, not a cervie. I'm not sure exactly what the protocol is for adhesion physical therapy, but there are probably techniques for getting it done. I hope you can find someone to do it or can learn how to do it yourself; trust me, I know a little bit about how awful adhesions can be.

Wishing you a pain free day...
wr

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12/29/89 C5-6 Microdiskectomy (no fusion)
4/9/03 ACDF C4-7 with plating and donor bone