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  • anterior/posterior surgery ?

    Has anyone had excruciating rib pain AFTER anterior/posterior surgery? If so, what do you know about what happened during surgery to contribute to pain? What did you do to alleviate pain?

    Always Smilin'
    Colleen

    1982 fused T2-L1
    pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
    pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

    recheck 2006
    right thoracic 57
    lower lumbar 34

    surgical revision April 28,2009
    revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
    unsure of degrees at this point

  • #2
    My anterior incision (with rib removal) hurt for a long, long time, for over a year. Over time it toughened up to just being stiff as opposed to sharply hurting. I still have stiffness, mild tenderness, and some numbness in that area but I've gotten used to it. After I got off Oxycontin, I used ice packs for pain in the summer and heat in the winter.

    I wouldn't say the pain was ever excruciating....are you sure you don't have lung issues?
    Chris
    A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
    Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
    Post-op curve: 12 degrees
    Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

    Comment


    • #3
      Interesting! I had anterior surgery BUT my doc NEVER told me I was going to have a rib removal! I did not even know I had a rib removal until my last visit (4 month post op!) when I asked why my side hurt so bad. I was told a 6 week recovery and I'm almost 6 months. Thanks for the info. I really need someone to be honest with me about what to expect and how long I may be in pain or what I may be experiencing.

      Did you also have memory issues? I cannot remember anything. Example...my son told me he was going to a friend's after school. I don't remember him telling me that and totally panicked when he didn't come home. My hubby says I do that a lot and can't imagine me going back to work...which I'm emphatic about returning soon.

      THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING...any other info I can get would be helpful. This seems to be the only place I get real info/feedback

      Thanks

      Always Smilin'
      Colleen

      1982 fused T2-L1
      pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
      pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

      recheck 2006
      right thoracic 57
      lower lumbar 34

      surgical revision April 28,2009
      revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
      unsure of degrees at this point

      Comment


      • #4
        ohhh...I forgpt the lung thing. I have had my lungs checked 3 times or so within the first 2 months post op and all is supposedly clear

        Always Smilin'
        Colleen

        1982 fused T2-L1
        pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
        pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

        recheck 2006
        right thoracic 57
        lower lumbar 34

        surgical revision April 28,2009
        revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
        unsure of degrees at this point

        Comment


        • #5
          I found pain killers turned my memory into a seive.

          Hope your rib pain eases up soon Colleen. It sounds awful.
          Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
          Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
          T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
          Osteotomies and Laminectomies
          Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

          Comment


          • #6
            YES, I have short-term memory issues, big-time. I have to write everything down. I figure some of it is menopause/age-related, but I noticed a big change after the surgery.

            Someone told me not to worry about forgetting things like phone numbers -- the time to start worrying is when you can't figure out what a phone is FOR.
            Chris
            A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
            Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
            Post-op curve: 12 degrees
            Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi Colleen...

              I seriously doubt that pain from your rib removal would last this long. And, I don't remember hearing anyone describe such intense pain in the ribs. Is this only on one side? And, is the pain on the side where the surgery was done?

              --Linda
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment


              • #8
                Right after the surgery, my rib pain was much worse than my back. And, at one point, the two ribs surrounding the spot where they took out the rib they used overlapped each other. I thought I was going to die from the pain. Called the doc and they told me I'd just have to wait till they popped back in place. They finally did, but that really hurt. However, the rib pain decreased after time. If your surgery was in April, this seems a long time to have severe pain. Have you called your doc? Maybe an x-ray is in order to make sure things are healing properly.

                Hope you are feeling better.

                Alli
                Cottrell rod surgery for Schuermann's kyphosis 1989
                Fused T3-L2
                Considering revision for the top part of the rest of my spine

                Comment


                • #9
                  Always,

                  I would def go back to doctor there is no way this should be paining u 6 months later. I had a castoplasty years ago where they resect the ribs. I had 5 ribs done and the pain from this procedure lasted about a month and I would say the pain was only excrutating when they put a brace on which was really tight and pressed against the ribs but I got use to this after a week.

                  I may be muscular but it should be investigated and maybe try u on muscle relaxants. Please any one on the group correct if I am wrong but I have heard of them using drugs that are used to hold off seisures in people as muscle relaxants.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks everyone. Yes, the ribs only hurt on the side where the surgery was done. I can't stand when anyone even slightly touches me there...I about go through the roof. I see my primary tomorrow and will definitely ask him. Thing is I don't want any more medication. I'm so terrified of being hooked. My surgeon doesn't say too much about it...just that it was a bad surgery and takes a long time to heal from...and he wants me off the tramadol...not the gabapentin. I don't see him again until November and to be honest he doesn't really tell me what to expect. I still am numb on my legs, back, and rib area...which is weird that while it's numb it still hurts like the dickens when someone touches me.

                    I'm trying to get off the pain meds and am doing pretty well. Only on 50 mg of Tramadol a day and 200 mg gabapentin daily plus ibuprofen at times. I take the gabapentin at night as it makes me loopy...which is what i think may be taking my memory. Hopefully it (memory) will return soon. I have been talking to people about tricks to function (i.e. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN I want to return to work mid-October. I teach little ones so need to be sure I'm aware enough to keep them safe. My sister has been giving me ideas too as she teaches as well.

                    Thanks for your input eveyone...you all keep me going!

                    Always Smilin'
                    Colleen

                    1982 fused T2-L1
                    pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                    pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                    recheck 2006
                    right thoracic 57
                    lower lumbar 34

                    surgical revision April 28,2009
                    revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                    unsure of degrees at this point

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by always smilin' View Post
                      Thanks everyone. Yes, the ribs only hurt on the side where the surgery was done. I can't stand when anyone even slightly touches me there...I about go through the roof. I see my primary tomorrow and will definitely ask him. Thing is I don't want any more medication. I'm so terrified of being hooked. My surgeon doesn't say too much about it...just that it was a bad surgery and takes a long time to heal from...and he wants me off the tramadol...not the gabapentin. I don't see him again until November and to be honest he doesn't really tell me what to expect. I still am numb on my legs, back, and rib area...which is weird that while it's numb it still hurts like the dickens when someone touches me.

                      I'm trying to get off the pain meds and am doing pretty well. Only on 50 mg of Tramadol a day and 200 mg gabapentin daily plus ibuprofen at times. I take the gabapentin at night as it makes me loopy...which is what i think may be taking my memory. Hopefully it (memory) will return soon. I have been talking to people about tricks to function (i.e. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN I want to return to work mid-October. I teach little ones so need to be sure I'm aware enough to keep them safe. My sister has been giving me ideas too as she teaches as well.

                      Thanks for your input eveyone...you all keep me going!
                      Hi Colleen...

                      I think you should try to see a neurologist. There are some syndromes that involve the brain not turning off the pain signal after trauma to an area. Not sure if that's what it is, but the fact that you say it's so sensitive makes me think that there's more to this than meets the eye.

                      Regards,
                      Linda
                      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        THanks LInda. I am involved with a neuromuscular specialist (is this the same?) as I have a suggested diagnosis of central core disease (scoliosis is related to - who knew??). When I spoke to him (neuromuscular dr) a month ago, he said the same thing...it'll just take time. I'm hoping that when I go back to work I'll get so involved in my work that I'll forget the pain and be able to think more (maybe I'm dreaming???)

                        Thanks again for input!

                        Always Smilin'
                        Colleen

                        1982 fused T2-L1
                        pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                        pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                        recheck 2006
                        right thoracic 57
                        lower lumbar 34

                        surgical revision April 28,2009
                        revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                        unsure of degrees at this point

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm a little late on this cuz I never check this part of the forum, but I am SOOO glad I did. Though I am not quite 6 weeks post-op, I have been amazed at the discomfort I am having in my side. I also had a rib removed, which they used for the fusion. I saw the doctor this past week and told him that this is the source of my discomfort...the percocet does nothing...or i have just gotten used to it. I am trying to wean myself off of it, too, so that doesn't help.
                          The doctor did say that rib pain can be very bad and it will pass. I also started PT, and my PT said the same thing. I'm using some heat now to just relax the muscles, which helps a little. It's not acute pain, but a very deep, constant ache and I flinch if one of my kids even thinks of hugging me. i have a hard time standing for a long time...but it's my side that doubles me over!

                          I am also a teacher, a reading specialist. I'm part time, so I'm trying to get back to work in a few weeks. We'll see.

                          Good luck and keep in touch.
                          Kathy, 43
                          Diagnosed as a teen
                          Boston brace 2 years
                          63 degree lumbar curve
                          Surgery August 26, 2009
                          Anterior approach fused T12-L4
                          now 28 degrees

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Colleen...

                            When I tried to take Neurontin (gabapenten), I was like a zombie at the lowest possible dose. It's possible that it's the culprit in terms of your lack of focus.

                            Regards,
                            Linda
                            Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                            Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Thanks Linda Actually I do think it's the gabapentin. I'm taking it only at night which seems to help with the zombiness. Once I'm completely off the tramadol then I'll go off the gabapentin. I notice I'm more zombi-ish after taking tramadol as well. The rainy and cold weather this week were miserable so I wasn't able to cut my dose as much as I intended...but this week should be better. I'm still on low doses of both...wish me luck Smilin today

                              Always Smilin'
                              Colleen

                              1982 fused T2-L1
                              pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                              pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                              recheck 2006
                              right thoracic 57
                              lower lumbar 34

                              surgical revision April 28,2009
                              revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                              unsure of degrees at this point

                              Comment

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