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MedHelp Member's Question

Spinal Leakage

by reddmomma, May 07, 2008 03:00AM
On March 20, 2008 I had back surgery done for herinated discs. L4&5 and L5 &S1. What should have been an hour and a half surgery turned into a three and half hour surgery. The nerves had fused themselves to one of the discs. I have started PT and for awhile didn't seem to have any problems. I now have leakage out of the surgical scar. I have pain around the scar,under the scar and above the scar. I went to the er and they said that they thought that I had a hematoma and the leakage was serium. When I called the Ortho Dr. I was given an appointment a week from now. I am very concerned as to what this could be caused from. Do you have any ideas?
Wendy
Member Comments

by Suri123, May 10, 2008 05:35AM
Hi reddmomma, how are you doing? Hope you are feeling better now and the pain might have reduced. I do feel there could have been infection as you are having pain at the surgery site. Can you say as the liquid is thick  or just like water? Are you able to move freely and can bendover forward? It is unlikely a CSF leak so do not worry till you get examined by your attending orthopedic doctor. Hope your ER doctor has put you on antibiotics, pain medications and wound dressings till you visit ortho doctor. It is better not to continue with physical therapy till the orthopedician reviews it. Take care and share your thoughts.

by reddmomma, May 11, 2008 12:19PM
To: suri
the pain is no better. the fluid is changing from thin to thicker. prior to the liquid i had more movement, however now, it is some what limited. I won't see my ortho dr until this wed, of course they feel that there isn't a problem. no one has put me on antibiotics, and i am continuing with pt as per the dr. wish me luck, i will post as soon as i know something else,

by Mamta25, May 11, 2008 01:40PM
To: reddmomma
hi reddmomma,
could u pls tell the exact surgery u underwent? when did u start with the physiotherapy and how long did u take it before the pain or the fluid discharge begin? what were the exercises u did?

by reddmomma, May 11, 2008 10:36PM
To: Mamta25
I had a laminectomy and discectomy. The pt started 3 weeks after the surgery and it was just gentle stretching of the muscles. The fluid started leaking about two and a half weeks ago, about the same time as the pain.

by reddmomma, May 19, 2008 10:39PM
I had blood work done and a culture of the fluid done. All were "within normal limits", whatever that means. Have another appt. on Wed.
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