Spine-Pain

A MRI with and without contrast might reveal scar tissue as the source of pain.

For a patient who has already had spine surgery, the contrast agent has traditionally helped in differentiating a recurrent or remaining disc herniation from scar tissue.

Scar tissue and pain after back surgery

Effects of scar tissue on back pain and leg pain

The formation of scar tissue near the nerve root (also called epidural fibrosis) is a common occurrence after back surgery—so common, in fact, that it often occurs for patients with successful surgical outcomes as well as for patients with continued or recurrent leg pain and back pain. For this reason, the importance of scar tissue (epidural fibrosis) as a potential cause of postoperative pain—commonly called failed back surgery syndrome—is controversial.

http://www.spine-health.com/Topics/surg/scar/scar01.html

Map of Spinal Column Segmental Spinal Cord level and Function. Level, Function. Cl-C6, Neck flexors. Cl-T1, Neck extensors. C3, C4, C5, Supply diaphragm …

http://www.makoa.org/scimap.htm