Burning in Back

[TXNationalist]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so first and foremost I'm glad I found a community of patients such as myself. I'm 18 years old (17 at the time of surgery) and we're nearing a July 5 anniversary of my surgery for Kyphosis. I had an awesome doctor here in Texas, but as I still recover I would like to see if any of you guys could shed some light on what I've been feeling since about October. My back feels hot when I lay down, sit in the car, sit in any piece of furniture with a lumbar support, and it is really starting to worry me. The best way to describe it is that when I'm in the car it feels like I have heated seats on (which I don't have). I told my surgeon about this and he prescribed some PT for me. When I exercise, whether it be going to the gym or swimming, I do get a little relief, but not for long. As I said earlier, I'm 18, it's time to move on and enjoy college. I got the surgery so I can put it on the back burner. Any insight would be great.

Josh

EDIT: I failed to mention that I had this burning sensation a little before the surgery.

[Pooka1]

Hi all,

This is my first post, so first and foremost I'm glad I found a community of patients such as myself. I'm 18 years old (17 at the time of surgery) and we're nearing a July 5 anniversary of my surgery for Kyphosis. I had an awesome doctor here in Texas, but as I still recover I would like to see if any of you guys could shed some light on what I've been feeling since about October. My back feels hot when I lay down, sit in the car, sit in any piece of furniture with a lumbar support, and it is really starting to worry me. The best way to describe it is that when I'm in the car it feels like I have heated seats on (which I don't have). I told my surgeon about this and he prescribed some PT for me. When I exercise, whether it be going to the gym or swimming, I do get a little relief, but not for long. As I said earlier, I'm 18, it's time to move on and enjoy college. I got the sugary so I can put it on the back burner. Any insight would be great.

Josh

HI and welcome.

Whatever your surgeon thinks is probably right.

Maybe it is the nerves growing back and you sense that as heat when your back contacts some surface.

Good luck.

[TXNationalist]

HI and welcome.

Whatever your surgeon thinks is probably right.

Maybe it is the nerves growing back and you sense that as heat when your back contacts some surface.

Good luck.

Thanks for your insight. Also, I'm a waiter at a pretty busy restaurant and I must say I experience a great deal of pain at times.

[Pooka1]

Thanks for your insight. Also, I'm a waiter at a pretty busy restaurant and I must say I experience a great deal of pain at times.

Well, it was a huge surgery. What levels are fused?

I saw your mention that the same burning was present before surgery? I have no guess what it could be then.

[TXNationalist]

Well, it was a huge surgery. What levels are fused?

I saw your mention that the same burning was present before surgery? I have no guess what it could be then.

I honestly cannot remember. Here are my x-rays before and after.

LAT SCOLI 3-14-11.jpgLAT SCOLI 7-27-11.jpg

[Pooka1]

I honestly cannot remember. Here are my x-rays before and after.

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Ah I see. I have a guess... I suspect it's just you burning to see Texas secede from the Union. :-)

Just kidding. Whatever the surgeon thinks is probably okay. If it doesn't resolve then you might ask for a referral to a pain specialist.

By the way, did he rule out infection as a possible cause of the burning?

[TXNationalist]

Ah I see. I have a guess... I suspect it's just you burning to see Texas secede from the Union. :-)

Just kidding. Whatever the surgeon thinks is probably okay. If it doesn't resolve then you might ask for a referral to a pain specialist.

By the way, did he rule out infection as a possible cause of the burning?

Haha that wouldn't be the reason. One of the PA's suggested a CAT scan the last time I mentioned it, but the surgeon didn't bat an eyebrow and told us ine is not needed. Infection hasn't even crossed my mind as we monitored it closely post-op.

[Pooka1]

Infection hasn't even crossed my mind as we monitored it closely post-op.

I think it can be delayed and may not show up right away.

[LindaRacine]

Infection can be very late onset, even years after surgery. It would be the first thing I'd think of with the symptom of feeling like you're sitting in a heated seat. You should mention it to your primary care physician. There are several tests that can help narrow down what the problem might be. While I think physical therapy is great, I don't see it as a cure for an overall feeling of heat.

[TXNationalist]

Infection can be very late onset, even years after surgery. It would be the first thing I'd think of with the symptom of feeling like you're sitting in a heated seat. You should mention it to your primary care physician. There are several tests that can help narrow down what the problem might be. While I think physical therapy is great, I don't see it as a cure for an overall feeling of heat.

Since I have two people telling me this, and I'm due for a routine physical, I will do so. It's just that my surgeon is on a prestigious level of reputation, so you would think he's dealt with this before. You know?

[LindaRacine]

You are talking about non-specific burning, right? That is, this isn't just in one spot??

[TXNationalist]

You are talking about non-specific burning, right? That is, this isn't just in one spot??

It's pretty much my whole lower back (lumbar).

[Pooka1]

It's pretty much my whole lower back (lumbar).

You need to have your sagittal balance checked. You may have lost normal lordosis by developing kyphosis below the fusion. Do you pitch forward when standing, even a little?

[TXNationalist]

You need to have your sagittal balance checked. You may have lost normal lordosis by developing kyphosis below the fusion. Do you pitch forward when standing, even a little?

Everything looks good in that department, but I can still mention it. If that hypothetically is the case, what would correction entail? I just had my x-rays looked at about a month and a half ago.

[Pooka1]

Everything looks good in that department, but I can still mention it. If that hypothetically is the case, what would correction entail? I just had my x-rays looked at about a month and a half ago.

It was just a thought. I don't know how they correct that.