Had back fusion l5s1 in 2009. have chronic pain. what can i do to get better? pain is horrible still.

MRI: If your pain is very severe, it is important to repeat spine imaging, such as mri, to fully determine the spine and nerves. There could be a problem at the level above your prior surgical repair, or perhaps something related directly to the prior repair itself. An exam by your physician is also important to detect nerve compromise.

Evaluation: Lumbar fusion (alif/tlif, or plif) restores stability to a segment of the spine, but at a cost. Segments (disc levels ) above and below the fused level assume more sress, and have increased rates of disc degeneration and herniation. In addition, deep muscles of the back are weakened, resulting in more low back pain. Rods are placed through the pedicle (pedicle screws) which can cause facet pain.