This is a discussion on Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF within the Rehabilitation Support & Postoperative Questions forums, part of the Surgical Outcomes category; I have a question for anyone out there. It is 2 weeks and 4 days since my surgery. I started ...
Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF I have a question for anyone out there. It is 2 weeks and 4 days since my surgery. I started feeling a lump on the right side of my spine next to the incision at the uppermost area. Not sure exacting when I first realized it was there, at least a week now - but it could have been there since surgery. Is this normal?????? There does not seem to be any other visible swelling or lumps. I have about a 6 - 7 inch incision. There are no exterior stitches - they used tape and glue.
My husband says everything looks good back there and no infection, etc.
My doc in on vacation until January 3rd - which will also be my first post-op appointment.
Has anyone had/have this? Any help would be appreciated. I don't want to freak out about this and other than this, seem to be fine for this stage in my recovery.
Thanks Jan
62 year old female
Right leg and lower back pain began May 2009
Two EMG's - Negative
Two MRI's showed: Minor Disc Bulging L3-L4, L4-L5
Three Lumbar Epidurals, One Facet Injection, Radio Pulsed Frequency of two nerves
MR Nuerogram - at UCSF
L5-S1 right lateral disk osteophyte extending 2 cm
Ct Guided Selective Nerve Root Block of L5/S1- UCSF
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, DDD
12/01/10 - Laminectomy & PLIF L4/L5 and L5/S1 Pedicle Screws Fixation with Allograft
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF Jan,
I had a similar bump after the second discectomy. I made a trip to the surgeon's office as soon as I noticed it. He stated he hadn't seen anything like that before. He told me to "keep an eye" on it.....
It settled down with alternating heat and cold after several days.
I'd make a trip to my PCP or a walk in clinic if I were in your shoes.
Bob
04/06 L5/S1 Rupture
05/06 MRI shows DDD @ L2-S1
06/06 Diskectomy/ Laminotomy L5/S1
04/07 Recurrent Disc L5/S1
4 Ortho and 1 Neuro Surgeon, 5 MRIs, 1 EGM, 1 Myleogram & 11 EDIs later:
03/27/09 L4/5 & L5/S1 Maverick discs at Stenum (www.dr-ritter-lang.com)
11/9/11 C6/7 Herniation with Nerve Impingement. Another journey begins.
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF Bob,
Thanks for your quick reply. I will call the surgeon's office tomorrow to see if there is someone covering his patience. Since your lump went away, hopefully mine will also.
My husband thinks that it might be just some residual swelling, but then who knows.
Jan
62 year old female
Right leg and lower back pain began May 2009
Two EMG's - Negative
Two MRI's showed: Minor Disc Bulging L3-L4, L4-L5
Three Lumbar Epidurals, One Facet Injection, Radio Pulsed Frequency of two nerves
MR Nuerogram - at UCSF
L5-S1 right lateral disk osteophyte extending 2 cm
Ct Guided Selective Nerve Root Block of L5/S1- UCSF
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, DDD
12/01/10 - Laminectomy & PLIF L4/L5 and L5/S1 Pedicle Screws Fixation with Allograft
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF My incision was lumped, from what I guess was the internal stitches. I could feel it was there, slowly went away over time. I'd still mention it to the doctor, better safe than sorry.
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF Thanks Kathy for your thoughts. The rest of the incision down the spine feel pretty unlumpy! It's just this lump at the top that has me a bit concerned. I will call about it.
Jan
62 year old female
Right leg and lower back pain began May 2009
Two EMG's - Negative
Two MRI's showed: Minor Disc Bulging L3-L4, L4-L5
Three Lumbar Epidurals, One Facet Injection, Radio Pulsed Frequency of two nerves
MR Nuerogram - at UCSF
L5-S1 right lateral disk osteophyte extending 2 cm
Ct Guided Selective Nerve Root Block of L5/S1- UCSF
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, DDD
12/01/10 - Laminectomy & PLIF L4/L5 and L5/S1 Pedicle Screws Fixation with Allograft
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF Jan, I had a "lump" at the top of my incision too. It's a common post-operative finding after dissection through muscle to visualize the disc space. You mentioned contacting your surgeon (or the one that is covering his patients); by all means do this for peace of mind...I'm just sharing my experience after surgery.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: Lump on Spine Question - 2 1/2 Weeks Post Op PLIF Jason - Thanks for sharing your experience with having a lump. I fell that everything has gone very well post-op and I have been as careful as possible. But since this is the first time around for me, I just don't know what is normal, somewhat normal or an in trouble issue. Thanks for the reassurance and for being here.
Jan
62 year old female
Right leg and lower back pain began May 2009
Two EMG's - Negative
Two MRI's showed: Minor Disc Bulging L3-L4, L4-L5
Three Lumbar Epidurals, One Facet Injection, Radio Pulsed Frequency of two nerves
MR Nuerogram - at UCSF
L5-S1 right lateral disk osteophyte extending 2 cm
Ct Guided Selective Nerve Root Block of L5/S1- UCSF
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Spondylolisthesis, DDD
12/01/10 - Laminectomy & PLIF L4/L5 and L5/S1 Pedicle Screws Fixation with Allograft
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