Question
Hello,

I am 28 years old and had a car accident several years ago which put me on a path to more pain than I have ever felt in my life. I ended up having 2 back surgeries on L4 L5. The last was a spinal fusion. That has been 2 years ago and I still have pain on a daily basis , but not severe like it was, but I still know it is there. I just want to know, will I ever get my life back? Will I continue to get worse? I have to lay on a heating pad constantly and it has discolored my entire back. I am worried it might do some damage.Thanks for any advice.

Answer
Hi Liz,

Pain is usually caused by inflammation or nerve compression, inflammation is aggravated by heat. Heat introduces a red, hot, swollen, irritated and inflamed environment with more of the same, Ice is usually preferred. In the case of nerve compression, ultrasound can break up scar tissue proliferation that is inevitable after surgery, this is a wave that dissolves scarring and produces heat. This type of heat is ok if the cause of the pain is scar tissue, only a recent MRI can tell for sure.

Laying on a heating pad chronically can only cause temporary discoloration and possibly burns. If you are careful, burns are unlikely. Ice would be much safer and clinically superior since it causes a reactive hyperemia just like heat without the risks.

If you need help finding a second opinion let me know.

Good Luck!

Dr. Timothy Durnin
drs.chiroweb.com