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What Causes Severe Burning Feeling In Incision Site After Back Surgery?
Question: On Monday, XXXXXXX 5 I had surgery to remove L5 and fuse to L4. After coming home on 3rd day my pain has increased to a level 9 again, and I have developed a burning like a hot iron just to the left of the 4 inch incision.
It just shoots like lightening and burns really bad. My surgeon is 150 miles away in Las Vegas. My pain medication is Percocet 10/375 every 4 to 8 hours. What should I do?
Age 75
It just shoots like lightening and burns really bad. My surgeon is 150 miles away in Las Vegas. My pain medication is Percocet 10/375 every 4 to 8 hours. What should I do?
Age 75
Brief Answer:
Probably wound pain, check for signs of infection.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description it looks like the pain is well localized in a circumscribed area near the wound and not radiating to the gluteal region and the limbs. Also I am assuming you have no bladder and bowel dysfunction, no loss of sensation in a saddle distribution (meaning perineum, external genitalia and anus, inner thighs). Please if one of those symptoms is the case correct me describing their presence and distribution.
Judging for the location of the pain and lack of other symptoms it doesn't look to be the case of a serious post procedure complication. The most probable cause is wound pain related to the procedure and the damage to the muscles and connective tissue structures. Treatment with Percocet is correct and should be continued. Other pain killers like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) are less preferred because they could interfere with growth and development of new bone cells (the fusion process), but if pain is not dominated they could be used for a couple of days.
In the meanwhile keep an eye for signs of wound infection like redness, swelling around the edges of the wound, increased drainage, high fever (over 101 degrees) and shaking chills. Other procedure related complications like hardware instrumentation fracture, graft migration etc seem unlikely in the absence of other signs.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Probably wound pain, check for signs of infection.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description it looks like the pain is well localized in a circumscribed area near the wound and not radiating to the gluteal region and the limbs. Also I am assuming you have no bladder and bowel dysfunction, no loss of sensation in a saddle distribution (meaning perineum, external genitalia and anus, inner thighs). Please if one of those symptoms is the case correct me describing their presence and distribution.
Judging for the location of the pain and lack of other symptoms it doesn't look to be the case of a serious post procedure complication. The most probable cause is wound pain related to the procedure and the damage to the muscles and connective tissue structures. Treatment with Percocet is correct and should be continued. Other pain killers like non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) are less preferred because they could interfere with growth and development of new bone cells (the fusion process), but if pain is not dominated they could be used for a couple of days.
In the meanwhile keep an eye for signs of wound infection like redness, swelling around the edges of the wound, increased drainage, high fever (over 101 degrees) and shaking chills. Other procedure related complications like hardware instrumentation fracture, graft migration etc seem unlikely in the absence of other signs.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
My bladder is burning very badly, probably from the medication. I am trying to drink more water, but it is so painful to get up and go to the bathroom. What about an antacid?
Brief Answer:
Consider bladder infection
Detailed Answer:
It is true that the oxycodone which is a component of Percocet can at time cause burning, painful urination but that is a rare side effect, so if the symptoms persist or if you have fever an urine sample analysis is recommended to exclude an infection which is to be treated with antibiotics.
Antacids do not play any role for bladder issues.
If the burning is very bothering to ease the symptoms your doctor might want to prescribe a drug called Phenazopyridine, but only if your don't have impairment of kidney function or liver diseases. It shouldn't be used more then 2 days, it can change the color of your urine so don't panic when that happens.
I hope to have been of help.
Consider bladder infection
Detailed Answer:
It is true that the oxycodone which is a component of Percocet can at time cause burning, painful urination but that is a rare side effect, so if the symptoms persist or if you have fever an urine sample analysis is recommended to exclude an infection which is to be treated with antibiotics.
Antacids do not play any role for bladder issues.
If the burning is very bothering to ease the symptoms your doctor might want to prescribe a drug called Phenazopyridine, but only if your don't have impairment of kidney function or liver diseases. It shouldn't be used more then 2 days, it can change the color of your urine so don't panic when that happens.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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