News Feed Discussions Muscle atrophy

  • Momof4

    Member
    May 6, 2016 at 2:19 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    I went to the spine specialist two weeks ago and he reviewed my MRI and said that my spine is not contributing to my groin pain. There are only incidental findings for someone my age. He also said the hip may cause groin pain and that spine would not cause bilateral groin pain. My hips are fine, as well. I guess, at least, I checked off that box. I called your office and Dr. David Chen’s office to ask about insurance coverage. Since I will be coming from Virginia, it is going to be an expensive trip, but my health is worth it. I was disappointed that your cost is not covered by insurance. Dr. Chen takes my insurance, so I will be going to see him soon. Dr. Belyansky is helping me coordinate this. He spoke very highly of both of you and feels like this will be the best chance for help with my problem. Thank you for your time on this forum.

  • Momof4

    Member
    March 24, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    I had an early follow up on Tuesday due to the amount of pain I am having. A CT of abdomen and pelvis showed the mesh is in place and flat and didn’t show any recurrence. I then had MRI of pelvis and spine. Dr. B thinks maybe the pain could be related to a spine issue, since no recurrence was seen. Of course, I worry about whether the scans were read correctly, since they weren’t in the past. He did see some abnormalities at T11 and T12 which could cause groin pain. I am waiting on the report and going to take it to spine specialist in my home town to see if they agree it could cause the amoun of groin and abdominal pain I am having. The pain is everywhere the large mesh is. I have always had some back pain associated with my hernias, but seems referred from groin. I am so thankful that Dr. B is willing to continue to help me. If no success with my back, Dr. B will be referring me to the west coast to see you or Dr. Chen. I told him I have been communicating on this forum, which I am grateful for!

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    March 15, 2016 at 1:10 am

    Muscle atrophy

    Yes. Fristrating for the patient who has had imaging after imaging which was misread for years. And frustrating for me as the surgeon taking care of those patients too, as I could have helped them years earlier.
    This is why I began publishing and presenting my data to radiologists.
    I offer an online consultation service and can help read your CDs of the images to help with this issue. Can find this service on my website http://www.beverlyhillsherniacenter.com

  • Momof4

    Member
    March 14, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    How can a patient make sure the scans are interpreted correctly? It is a big deal when you are desperately searching for answers and a correct diagnosis. I had my scan at the hospital in Annapolis, hoping that someone there could read it correctly since they have hernia specialists and an abdominal wall reconstruction program. It is hard to know what to do for a meaningful follow up.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    March 14, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    In our study, about 3 out of 4 films were misread.

  • Momof4

    Member
    March 13, 2016 at 11:08 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    I am worried about it being misread. In my experience, the radiologist doesn’t even know how to look for hernia or mesh problems. What good is imaging if it can’t be read correctly? Before my last procedure, I had a CT scan and the radiologist didn’t see anything and the Dr didn’t either. The fellow saw some muscle atrophy the day before my procedure. I don’t understand how the scan was negative but my OR report says the following things were addressed- right direct and Indirect inguinal hernia, right femoral hernia, left femoral hernia, left indirect inguinal hernia, supra pubic weakness and symptomatic diastasis. How could I have multiple hernias, that were causing lots of pain, and they weren’t seen?! On the day after my surgery the fellow seemed surprised that I had “multiple hernias”. Knowing what was seen during surgery, I have to wonder if the radiologist or Dr would see them on imaging.now. Thank you for your help with this and for educating other physicians and radiologists about this problem.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    March 13, 2016 at 6:31 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    For the groin I do recommend MRI, but you also need to have the physician with expertise to interpret the MRI.

  • Momof4

    Member
    March 12, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    I have seen recent posts about imaging and which imaging is best for hernia detection, especially after mesh implantation. I have had multiple hernia surgeries and the latest surgery was AWR. I am scheduled to have a CT scan before my follow up. After reading some responses, I am not sure a CT scan will be best for detecting problems after such a large mesh implantation. I am having severe groin pain and abdominal pain and want to get the best imaging to detect any problems. Also worried about the radiation from CT, especially since I have had false negative ones, or at least ones that were misread, in the past. Do you suggest MRI,and if so, why? Thank you for your help!

  • Momof4

    Member
    February 19, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    I appreciate your response. I certainly agree about the Annapolis practice, highly skilled, no doubt. I am very thankful for the help they have given me so far. I have a follow up in May. I will try to compose a condensed post that may be helpful to other patients. I hate that anyone is suffering from groin/pelvic pain like I am. It is not easy to deal with and I am grateful for this forum. I may end up making the trip across country to see you at some point in my journey. Thank you!

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    February 18, 2016 at 5:34 am

    Muscle atrophy

    The Annapolis group is very skilled.

    HerniaTalk is the forum I use to answer questions which will be able to help others who read these posts as well.

    If you wish to have a consultation, I am happy to see you in my office or alternatively you can sign up for an online consultation at http://www.beverlyhillsherniacenter.com

    I wish you well.

  • Momof4

    Member
    February 13, 2016 at 5:30 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    Groin pain can be very confusing and very hard to deal with, as I’m sure you know! My case is somewhat complicated since I have had multiple repairs and keep having the groin pain return after a period of time. Each time, with a new procedure, something new has been found to repair. Is there a way to email your directly to discuss my situation? I have been treated by a close colleague of yours, in Annapolis, MD. I live in VA, five hours away from MD, but have traveled for his expertise.

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    February 13, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Muscle atrophy

    Inflammation of the SI joint, such as with ankylosis get spondylitis or sacroiliitis can cause groin pain.

    If you have groin pain and lower back pain, sometimes that is due to an inguinal hernia. I guess muscle atrophy of the lower abdomen can do the same, since they are both part of your core..

  • Momof4

    Member
    February 10, 2016 at 1:32 am

    Muscle atrophy

    Can a problem with SI joint cause groin pain? I have had triple neurectomy and multiple hernia repairs and have recurrent groin pain and pain in lower back/buttock on the same side. It is hard to tell if back pain causes groin pain or if groin pain causes back pain. What is the role of the SI Jioint in groin pain and where would the pain be located?

  • drtowfigh

    Moderator
    January 4, 2016 at 2:24 am

    Muscle atrophy

    Yes, one of the risks of laparoscopic or extended triple neurectomy is denervation of the abdominal muscles on that side. This problem is not seen with the open anterior approach triple neurectomy.
    In a subset of patients, the muscle regains its strength and one has less bulging .
    I am not aware of any treatment for this

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