Spinal Injury Repair Doctors

[redfordb]

I have been told that I am a candidate for decompression surgery. Where is the best place hospital/doctor to see? I currently have been seen at University of Michigan and they were too conservative in the approach to this type of surgery. I am in the process of getting a second opinion, but am limited by my Worker's Compensation insurance company. Can you make a recommendation.

[SCI-Nurse]

I would look for a university medical center that also has a Model Systems SCI Center affiliated with it. You will find the most experienced and expert spinal surgeons in these areas. I would also get at least two opinions: one from an orthopedic spine surgeon specialist, and the other from a neurosurgeon who does mostly spinal surgery.

I have also copied this over to the Care forum where more people may see it.

(KLD)

[redford93]

I have an appointment with Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Bingaman but have also been given the name of Dr. Henry Bohlman with University of Cleveland. I've read the post on Decompression surgery and know that Dr. Bohlman has written on and performed surgery for decompression. Is Cleveland Clinic also on the cutting edge for this type of surgery? I've met with two doctors already who are not and want to be sure I am headed to a facility/doctor who is aggressive in their approach to decompression.

[SilverSpring]

If you can have it done in Florida, I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Barth A. Green from the Miami Project. He did my decompression surgery in 1995. He's a phenominal doctor and person.

[Chris Chappell]

Dr. Scott Falci - Craig Hospital, CO. Fantastic surgeon who specializes in decompression / untethering.

303-789-8000

[Olivia M G]

I know this is an old thread, but for anyone who might be doing a search on Dr. Henry Bohlman, do not under any circumstance let him do your spinal surgery. He did a fusion on my spine that he said was successful. I was still in pain so he gave me another surgery that was not successful. Then he freaked out for fear I would sue him, refused to see me and "lost" all my X-rays and MRI's.
After two years of misery, I went to a new doctor who discovered my spine had not fused and that I was essentially walking around with a broken neck for two years.
Bohlman may have been a good surgeon at one time , but his techniques are now antiquated and his ego precludes him from actually recognizing that he may have made a mistake.
I have suffered through a lot of pain at the hands of Bohlman and would never ever recommend him to even my worst enemy.

[tenbears]

Originally posted by Olivia M G:

I know this is an old thread, but for anyone who might be doing a search on Dr. Henry Bohlman, do not under any circumstance let him do your spinal surgery. He did a fusion on my spine that he said was successful. I was still in pain so he gave me another surgery that was not successful. Then he freaked out for fear I would sue him, refused to see me and "lost" all my X-rays and MRI's.
After two years of misery, I went to a new doctor who discovered my spine had not fused and that I was essentially walking around with a broken neck for two years.
Bohlman may have been a good surgeon at one time , but his techniques are now antiquated and his ego precludes him from actually recognizing that he may have made a mistake.
I have suffered through a lot of pain at the hands of Bohlman and would never ever recommend him to even my worst enemy.

I just ran accross your post. I think I am in about the same shape you were in with the unfused neck. Could I ask who was the new Doctor that finally helped you. Are you happy with the treatment you received from him. Has your pain level went down? Before I read your post I was going to contact Dr Bohlman. Maybe I can see the Dr that finally helped you. Thanks

[bysh1980]

hi,
i will be having an appointment with dr bohlman in the next few months, but when i saw ur threads, i was shocked,
can u supply me with more info about dr bohlman.

[kenf]

Dr David Hart did mine at University Hospitals of Clevageland. i had T4 pushing on my cord. they fused T2-T7 because some others were out of place. they got them all nice and straight. nobody in Clevageland would do the surgery. Dr Hart is young and a well taught nero. i explained i could not go though life with that bone pushing on my cord and with hopefully some kind of treatment to come in the future , i needed that bone back where it belongs. he agreed. 10 hour surgery later it was done. i have some pressure on my back but no pain. Dr Young said thats normal. don't foget about recovery too , spent 2 months in rehab in some stupid brace that holds your back and chin still. all in all , Dr. Hart is great at what he does.

[maryonwheels46]

Kenf,
I need to ask, Since your lumbars was not fused was it causing you pain and is it below your level of injury?
Mary

[maryonwheels46]

Sorry miss read your post. So. are you painless?
Mary

[kenf]

hi Mary , my x poker pal,lol. how you been? the only time i'm in pain is when all my muscles get real tight. back , legs and abs. abs get so tight it's hard to breathe. they get tight just from moving an arm. never had anything till the surgery. gotta wonder if it was worth it , mad me worse. i just want to be a dam cripple. you tc.