So I went to a NS consult today for SCS permanent implant. He used a term I have heard but I guess I thought the definition was different.

Mechanical Pain. The NS said that Discogenic pain = mechanical pain.

I am scratching my head because mechanical pain to me seems more in line with Facet Joint Pain. If the disc is degenerating, torn, innervated, and upsetting nerves causing pain (which mine are at 3 levels) - HOW IS THAT MECHANICAL?

I also have documented radiculapathy at L4 and L5 from and EMG done last year. Is that also "mechanical pain"?

I guess in the long run it doesn't really matter since he is willing to do the SCS implant. Its just that the NS kind of dismissed this as just pain and NOT NERVES, so SCS can help, but no need to do real surgery. I will just need to strengthen my core and deal with the pain.

I guess I should be happy he doesn't want to do what another NS suggested - 3 level ALIF L3-4 through L5-S1.

I apologize in advance for not properly searching before posting. I will go do that now, but wanted to get your opinions on the matter. What do you guys think is "mechanical pain"?

Thanks,
Brent

We gonna git together for coffee?

Allright, now that the trivialities are out of the way.... yep, discogenic pain is generally treated either as mechanical..... or not, depending whether in the opinion of the professional the discs are capable of generating scar tissue which might abate the impingement of the nerve at the location of the annular tear...... or not.

Interestingly, one of my layers did self repair.... otherwise during fluoroscopy while I endured the worst medical torture called discogram.... during which 6 people were attempting to hold me on the OR table as I screamed my lungs inside out while my dearest blessing of a doc [who by the way hated to administer the discogram] intoned "it is like a seive in there!!!!!" So imagine my wondering ears when later a local surgeon, whom I hold in the lowest of life form esteem, proclaimed he would NOT help me- then he wrote a letter to my file which would inform anyone esle who ever saw my file the ugly foul deed of my life "the patient is a lawyer." Now I have never threatened any physican with suit, but I dang well felt like taking that slimy worm apart at the witness stand.

Within seven weeks after such despicable medical behavior.... I was suffering cauda equina- everything below my waist stopped working, period. Mechanical could you suppose? I reckon THAT WAS MY PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. Would SCS have helped me at that point? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Even the said practitioner of the medical arts would have had to agree. I praise God the neurosurgeon I saw thereafter was willing to go in, disassemble my ruined back and put it back together again via fusion.

Seems weird to me someone may believe you have a mechanical problem, yet wants to wire you........ Does this seem like a disconnect to you? It surely does to me.

Confused in abundance,
Mark56

Also, confused as well. Huh????

(ger)

I get confused with diagnosis as well. survived a discogram as well, which showed a blown disc. My Mri showed a bulge, and all didnt see what I certainly felt.
So I still have mechanical pain from bad discs and surgery, but nerve pain from nerves being squished. My scs surgeon told me today that no surgeon would do surgery on me at this time ..... So I will go on and get some relief on monday with reprogramming

May you truly find relief on Monday, even if transitory because that which you may be provided is not the needed blessing to eliminate causation.

About this I am praying,
Mark56

Seems we are always getting conflicting opinions and advice, such as the case with Brent. I do recall my attending SCS doc saying that these units do wonderfully for neuropathic and radiculopathy.....and not so good with mechanical issues. I've always been under the impression that mechanical pain is having to do with skeletal issues whereas radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, etc are all nerve related.

I see Brent's frustration in this because it seems his Dr is being a bit dismissive. Viv puts it in good perspective because the mechanical pain can be a CAUSE of the nerve pain, so I would think that the SCS would at least cover the nerve pain which is being caused by the spinal affirmities.

I can see how it can all get clumped together because both of these types of pain are related to each other....they are each other's culprits. If the pain is burning or numbness in nature, I would consider it nerve pain. I was diagnosed radiculopathy (amongst other dandies) and my unit does a great job of covering the pain.

I guess what it all boils down to is the trial.....how did it help or not help the pain. 'Tis a complex issue, innit?

This would all make me feel better if I could SMACK the NS who told you to live and deal with the pain