Dissolvable sutures and heat

July 22, 2008

Every spine and / or abdominal incision has internal stitches over several

layers and heat will not dissolve them earlier than they are supposed to. They

dissolve over months and are not affected by outside sources. There may be a

dissolvabe sutre also as the skin suture, as well as non absorbable or staples.

Every surgeon is different. If you have an absorbable suture holding your skin

edges together, it will be white usually and be like cotton. You also probably

can't see it. Anything else will be noticeable.

The reason you don't want to put heat on a new incision is bevause of the

inflammation and also to not encourage more bleeding. Your incision needs to

form a clot as the first stage of healing. Heat will discourage clot formation

and will make inflammation worse.

Post-op nurses have no idea what sutures are what and what makes them

dissolve...your resident probably doesn't either.

Ice is the best way to go, but with muscle spasms, you need heat. Once your

incision is a few days old, you should be able to start applying heat.

---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

I think we sure are lucky to have your contributions as a health care

professional on this website.

My heart goes out to you for all that you have been throught at such a young

age.

I wish you luck on your next surgery- you said its your 6th? What are they

doing this time?

keep us posted.

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

Hi ,

I'm glad to be able to help others with my " inside knowledge " . I know what a

difference my career has made in the treatment and understanding of my back. I

really feel for others who don't have that and are trying to navigate their

healthcare the best they can. It's confusing and misleading. I know that if I

had this knowledge ,when I had my first surgery, I may not be in this place now.

there are so many things I wouldn't have done or would have done differently

that may have been life changing for me. If I can help others understand their

body, their diagnosis, their options and the healthcare field...then I feel

better about myself. I'd like to use my knowledge to help others. God has

allowed me here for a reason, I have to believe that. he put the desire in my

heart to work in the OR, maybe this is why?

My next, and yes 6th surgery, is to remove the screws and rods that were put in

during my fusion last Feb. The instrumentation as we call it, is irritating my

body and causing so much pain. As inert the titanium is, it just doesn't belong

in there. I've been out of work for two months due to this pain, that's how bad

it got, and no disability payments! I have become so weak and a little " fluffy "

due to my lack of exercize which I know is contributing to my pain.

I hope this helps me. I cannot ever give up hope.

---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

Hi

no you cant give up, and you have children to keep you going, thank goodness for

that.

Listen I know the pain, even though I haven't had back surgery, every time I go

to PT, the next day oh my god, I have to take my pain pills more often, hot

shower, ice pack, there pain spray (its like icy hot) stretch, stretch... its

such an ordeal.

If I didn't have the option to work from home I would likely be out on

disability myself.

For some reason I cant swim because I cant use my right leg as the foot goes

into a charlie horse almost immediately and than its major pain in the sacrum.

Totally stinks, so I walk. thats the thing I can still do. Still hurts later-

(sciatica) but at least I can do it.

If you can swim that would be a great way for you to get back into exercise!!

Gentle, but uses all the muscles.

I thank you for your feedback and warnings about the pitfalls of surgery.

I'm dong my best to avoid it.

I feel you are right, the longer we can wait- newer techniques and procedures

are developed all the time.

For example the surgeon in Atlanta who does the SI joint fixation is now using a

new technique.

I know this because I had emailed him about references from his old patients and

he told me he is now using a new technique so that the old patients wouldn't be

helpful at this point.

I figure all the surgeries that are being done on our soldiers who have been

suffering from those horrible IED explosions, the surgeons are constantly

refining their techniques. Thats probably why the Disc replacements are being

done in Germany- isn't that where they take our soldiers for further care after

Iraq?

Anyway- I get the point, hang in there as long as possible, cause you never know

what latest technique is being developed.

Good luck to you on your upcoming surgery, I will pray that this one is a

success for you!!

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

,

They have been doing disk replacements in Germany for over 20 years now and we

just started doing them here about 2-3 years ago. Germany is far more advanced

than we are and they are the makers and designers of almost all orthopedic and

spine equipment and procedures, believe it or not. Some of the delay has to do

with our FDA process and someof has to do with lower levels of malpractice in

Germany as well as that's just where the technology is. Most people don't know

that. We think of Japan as the technology leader and Germany is the ortho/spine

leader. many people now are doing everything possible to go there for care, even

refinancing their house to pay for it, that's how superior it is.

I'm glad you are walking, don't stop, no matter how much it hurts. Do you wear a

brace at all? Does your PT help you stretch out your sciatic nerve and

hamstrings? That might help a lot to be able to swim. I can swim, but it's hard.

I have alot of weakness in my ankles. I did gymnastics for many, many

years,(part of the problem) and sprained my ankles so many times, I have little

left of tendons and ligaments. I gave it up when they told me if I sprained it

one more time, I would need surgery. So, when I swim, the pressure of the water

when you flex and extend your foot as you swim, makes my ankles kill! I can only

do it for a little while. But you could do the PT exercises in the pool though.

Have you ever taken a hydro PT class? I have and found it to be the best! you do

may exercizes in the water that strengthen your muscles, even a little cardio

and stretching, all without doing a single lap. I'd look into where you might

find a class if you haven't

before. Where abouts in the country do you live ?

---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

Hi

Im in the Washington DC area.

I will ask my Physical Therapist about it and Im to follow up in a few weeks

with the Physiatrist as well.

Ill ask about the water PT.

Sounds like a good idea.

thanks for all the info and feedback!

wendy

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

No problem . It's my pleasure to help. Let me know how you make out!

---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

,

Yes exactly. Besides my incision is on the front of my neck and I was applying

the heating pad to the back of my neck and upper back area where I was having

the awful muscle spasms

Donna

spinal problems

From: tpowell1977@...

Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:10:02 -0700

Subject: Dissolvable sutures and heat

Every spine and / or abdominal incision has internal stitches over

several layers and heat will not dissolve them earlier than they are supposed

to. They dissolve over months and are not affected by outside sources. There may

be a dissolvabe sutre also as the skin suture, as well as non absorbable or

staples. Every surgeon is different. If you have an absorbable suture holding

your skin edges together, it will be white usually and be like cotton. You also

probably can't see it. Anything else will be noticeable.

The reason you don't want to put heat on a new incision is bevause of the

inflammation and also to not encourage more bleeding. Your incision needs to

form a clot as the first stage of healing. Heat will discourage clot formation

and will make inflammation worse.

Post-op nurses have no idea what sutures are what and what makes them

dissolve...your resident probably doesn't either.

Ice is the best way to go, but with muscle spasms, you need heat. Once your

incision is a few days old, you should be able to start applying heat.

---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

July 23, 2008

Hang in there Donna. It sounds like you are doing all the right things. ---

RE: Cervical disc fusion surgery

>

> Not to but in here, but you have not used a heating pad

since surgery have you?

>

> ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _

> Use video conversation to talk face-to-face with Windows Live

Messenger.

> http://www.windowsl ive.com/messenge r/connect_ your_way. html?

ocid=TXT_TAGLM_ WL_Refresh_ messenger_ video_072008

>

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