tethering and decompression

[sunny]

Could someone explain what's tethering and decompression of the spinal cord and how would i know if my spinal cord is tethered or decompressed?.

[Wise Young]

Sunny,

To my knowledge, tethering of the spinal cord is subtle and not readily detected by MRI or any kind of scan. An experienced neurosurgeon usually tells from a combination of the history of the injury and previous surgery, the presence of progressive neurological loss, and a syrinx. Perhaps some of the others could comment.

Wise.

P.S. Each topic in the trial forum is supposed to represent a clinical trial. I will leave this on this forum for a couple of days and then move it to the Care Forum.

[Carl R]

Dr. Young, if I remember correctly, you mentioned a doctor in the U.S. That was having a great deal of success with decompression surgery. I think I remember you saying he was in Cleveland. Who was that Dr.? What is your best estimate of the cost of decompression surgery in the U.S.?

[Wise Young]

Carl, the doctor is Henry Bohlman at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He is an orthopedic surgeon. Regarding costs, I really don't know. It obviously depends on the surgery, facilities, rehabilitation, and other considerations. Wise.

[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.