Hey Doc? You around?

[joyneau]

Hi Dr!
I am looking for that second opinion you had suggested. I don't feel confident my currant doc is doing what needs to be done. He stated that fusion is my only option because microscopic surgeries don't work. Any opinion on this? I have a dr that says they do,and at this point in time, would be a better option for me, due to weight, pain, neuro symptoms, and the heriation pressing on the thecal sac of the cord.
Would appreciate info if you have it. Or maybe a site to research discectomy and laminectomy.
Thanks so much for being there to bounce off of.
Joyce

[KLD]

You will find many people who have had to deal with similar issues and decisions related to spinal surgery at this site:

Braintalk Spinal Disorders (http://neuro-mancer.mgh.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Spinal+Disorders+3&number=259&DaysPrune=1&LastLogin=)

[joyneau]

Thanks KLD. I have that address already, but wondered Dr. Wise's opinion on the discectomies etc as to whether they work or not. I did a search at the spiney forum to see what they might say about the procedures. Pretty mixed crowd. So that is why I asked the doc. thanks though~!
Means you care!
Joyce

[Wise Young]

joyneau, I am probably not the best one to answer the question that you ask. I trained in surgery in the days before all these fancy devices were available. My teachers always taught me that surgical wounds healed from side-to-side (rather than end to end) and therefore larger openings are not intrinsically bad. More important, I was taught that it is better to be able to see the field well instead of operating through a small hole where you can't see as well. Surgeons who operate with fiberoptic devices say that their patients recover faster and that, if you know what you are doing, a surprising amount can be done through a tiny hole. Wise.

[joyneau]

Thanks Doc! Appreciate your honesty and your time.
Saw neuro this morning for EMG, He feels that it is TOS causing the majority of the things wrong, and the lumbar is secondary and should be treated with PT and NSAIDS for at least 6 mos before trying a surgery[in the past, I have only done PT and meds for 8 weeks.]I like his approach and direct attitude and am going for it. Such a relief to know why everything is tingly and numb!
God Bless.
Joyce