TIPNA

[Nita]

I posted just the other day about coccyx pain developing six months after my surgery in Houston. Today, I had a MRI of the lumber spine and pelvis. I just received the report and the pelvic report states that the image demonstrates the finding of a metal artifact. I have not had time to discuss this with my doctor yet but I do not recall Dr. Ansell placing or leaving any kind of metal in the body after surgery. I read over his operative report and it does not mention anything but the ligament being excised. Does anyone have any knowledge of metal being left in the body after surgery?

Also, the report also states that the uterus is enlarged and prominently retroverted which could produce pelvic pain. Is the uterus close to the pudendal nerve? Could it be possible that the uterus is pushing on the nerve and causing pain? I'm just trying to figure this all out and it seems that many of you are much more knowledgable and helpful then most doctors I talk to. I also live in a small town which makes it much harder to find qualified doctors to help me with my questions. Thanks for any advice you can give me.

[GregT]

Nita,

I've heard of this metal thing that Dr. Ansell uses, but have forgotten what the purpose of it is. It could be something used to stop bleeding after the surgery, but I've forgotten. I just heard about it recently myself.

Hang in there and someone will tell you what it's for, and hopefully be able to give you some advice on the other issues involving the uterus.

Greg
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Had PN surgery in France in Dec, 2001. Sitting is a bit better, but I still have muscular pain in much of the pelvic area. Never had pain on one side or the other, just in the middle.

[Nita]

Thanks for the quick reply, Greg. Is it meant to stay in there permanently?

[Celeste]

Greg, it was me you were talking to about this. Nita, I had emailed Dr. Ansell to ask some questions after I found out a forum member was telling people Dr. Ansell left some sort of medical equipment like a clamp inside, like it was a medical mistake or some such. Quite the opposite. Here is the reply I got:

"The clamp is a “Ligaclip”, a tiny, 1/8 inch metal wire clip that you put on the cut ends of blood vessels to stop bleeding during the surgical exposure. They’re common and most people who have had surgery have them."

Maybe it's not surprising that the MRI tech didn't know what it was since they are not physicians.

I have heard of women have a retroverted uterus and having pelvic pain from that. I don't know quite how it presents (middle, sides, front, back) but it would be something you are born with; no idea how it can be treated, either.
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PNE from childbirth, 5/2002. Left side PNLMT 5.2, left side TG surgery 6/30/04, Houston.
Thickened SS and ST ligaments were grown together, encasing the nerve.

I'm cured. I hope you will be, too.

[GregT]

Thank you Celeste. I remember now.

I thought that something bad happens when someone has an MRI and they have metal inside of them? You know how they always ask you "do you have any kind of metal (blah, blah, blah) before you have an MRI.

Anyone?
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Had PN surgery in France in Dec, 2001. Sitting is a bit better, but I still have muscular pain in much of the pelvic area. Never had pain on one side or the other, just in the middle.

[Celeste]

Here is a link that talks about metal implants and having an MRI. These liga-clips are not on the list of metal implants that make you not eligible for MRI.

http://tinyurl.com/cgmavv
_________________
PNE from childbirth, 5/2002. Left side PNLMT 5.2, left side TG surgery 6/30/04, Houston.
Thickened SS and ST ligaments were grown together, encasing the nerve.

I'm cured. I hope you will be, too.