Complication after fusion

My anterior posterior lumbar fusion was 3 1/2 weeks ago. Now I have a big knot ( size and width) of my hand right above incision on stomach, going about halfway of incision. It is extremely painful. I saw my surgeon Thursday. He said it could be torn fascia or possible the internal stitches have been busted open. I am using moist heat compresses several times a day and wearing a brace (Velcro stretchy kind). The brace has provided support and it doesn't hurt nearly as bad while it's on. I have a CT scheduled for Thursday. And will then see the vascular surgeon. I'm scared....I am not sure if this means more surgery or not. I definitely do not want to go through that again. I'm trying to get a positive mindset and that is hard. My dr said he honestly doesn't know what it is and those are only possibilities. And my bilateral hip pain has returned. I have 8 weeks to get back to work. That seems like a long time. But...I work in a peds clinic and am constantly on my feet for 8 hours, rarely sitting. And that will be back to school time, a nightmare in peds. I'm just dealing w a lot and it's overwhelming. My poor brain is on overtime. It's honestly exhausting. And I need to make the weekly check in call w my supervisor. I'm not sure to mention all this or just say everything is the same. I certainly don't want to invite those awkward pain med questions. I just want to make the call and get off the phone as quickly as possible. Thank you for letting me vent. As always, I certainly appreciate it.

I felt like it was possibly a tear and herniation and I know surgery is not something you want to hear 3 weeks out post-op but you want the best chance to heal correctly long-term!!

Your under no obligation to share anything with your Supervisor other then your following Drs orders and will continue to do so!! Period, she's no need of your medical information and the less you say the better. It has no possibility of coming back to bite you!

Anice,

I am so sorry to hear that you are having trouble. I do know what you mean. I hope it's not as bad as you think it is. Stay positive. I know it's easier said than done. ....

Jodi

It's 4am and hoping you got some relief and sleep. I wanted to say that you should speak with all the office managers and financial reps at the offices and hospitals your being seen by and explain your out of work on short-term disability pay due to surgery and if there's anyway possible you can break up these co-pays into payment plans or defer them until which time you return to work and full earning ability. As for the knot, depending upon what it is and if it's a direct result of the origional procedure the cost to fix should be less. The surgeon's degree of responsibility if there's an avoidable issue will increase and you may not be billed for his part at all in a revision and repair. Therefore its very important to understand the results of that scan when its done even if you have to get it looked at by an outside Dr.

Anice give yourself a break, you have a complication, an undetermined one at this point and until which time it's identified your recovery is going to be delayed and run behind origional schedule! Your not going to be in the same place as uncomplicated. As a matter of fact I personally would not be exercising too much nor would I attempt to start PT until which time everyone has a clearer understanding of just exactly what that knot is and its cause. Any therapy regiment is going to be geared and focused directly on a course designed for the surgery, fusion, etcetera without that added complication and could depending upon what it is, tear, hernia, etc, could end up far worse following post-op protocol for therapy, exercises, even walking.. Keep in mind that this will cause you to veer off course some but your not going to be where you should be barring a post-op and recovery without this added complications.

Talk to your Dr about those pain levels! Untreated post-op pain makes for longer recovery times.

Just wanted to say I'm sorry to hear you are in so much pain and scared. Hope that tomorrow you will figure out what's going on and a plan to fix it. I know it's hard, but try your best to stay in the moment. This moment. Don't let yourself get stuck in thinking about 8 weeks from now. All you can have some control over is what happens in this moment. Trust me, I know it's not easy, but the more you are able to do it, the less stress you will feel.

As far as the supervisor call, I agree with the others. They have no right to question you about what meds you are taking or stuff like that. Just keep it short and simple. As little detail as possible.

Good luck tomorrow, hope you get some answers and some relief!!