Mark writes:
Without a source of inflammation, I don't think adhesions can spread. Sources of inflmmation include: surgery, endometriosis, radiation.
If you don't mind a little conjecture, I've had email correspondence from two women who claim ahdesions have formed for none of these reasons. Just spontaneous formation. I have no reason to doubt their word. So who knows? I have skin eczema which is a spontaneous skin inflammation that I can't seem to stop. My skin will literally ooze liquid for no good reason. So maybe that happens on the inside of my body, too.
Your question, however, may have to do with something else we hear on this forum quite a lot. We often hear reports from people saying that their doctor has observed adhesions "in greater numbers" than observed in the same patient in a previous surgery. Also many people will make a statement like, "I had surgery to clean out my adhesions, but they grew back in greater numbers." or They will say "their back." This could mean simply that the doctor released the pressure but cutting an "offending" adhesion, but the wounded adhesion oozes more fibrin and reconnects immediately after surgery. Time passes, the body shifts and the same adhesion comes under tension again, resulting in discomfort.
I hope this helps. But of course, I know it's not a sufficient answer. I'm probably touching on the truth, but I know I'm not quite there. The truth is that I think nobody can fully explain this awful disease to my satisfaction. For example, I have yet to hear a good explanation of how temporary fibrin deposits can then turn into a permanent adhesion. I'm not satisfied with the explanation that fibrin is the only protein involved. I think there's another process at work. See wikipedia article on 'wound healing.' for more info. I haven't read it all. I get tired easily. Maybe someone else can explain it better.
Yours,
-- Mark in Seattle