Doctor Young- Your advice please on surgery to remove adhensions

brucealexander · 01-07-2003, 07:16 PM

1976 C 5/6 incomplete 1976 - ambulant
1980 Laminectomy
1997 Syrinx C1/6 had surgery to detether, successfully.
June 2001 Same surgeon wants to remove adhesions that in his opinion
are causing pain in my feet, legs etc. I have a hypersensitive
back, shoulders with accompying rash. My motor function is
deteriorating. I now use a chair to get about.No Pain relief drugs.
Autonomic Dysreflexia. I self catheterize
2002 January Surgeon resigns before surgery.
2002 March another neurosurgeon says further surgery unwarranted.
2003 Original surgeon still wants to perform the operation
I have been told the operation is dangerous, even die. I could
come out in a worse condition.
Decision. If I sit and do nothing eg; watch television the pain is bearable
But if I try walking, exercise, or rest a weight on my legs pain is 8 plus
out of ten. Any motor function aggravates everything.
My problem is two opinions. The second one is from a rather
inexperienced doctor who trained under the first.
Doctors in Australia are petrified of litigation.
A rehabilitation doctor told me it was not that dangerous.
I respect your opinion could you give me your advice please.
Bruce.

Wise Young · 01-07-2003, 07:45 PM

Bruce, from your description, it sounds as if you need the surgery. You fulfil the following criteria for untethering surgery:
1. You are getting worse both in terms of pain and function
2. You have tethering (or at least one neurosurgeon thinks so)
3. You benefitted from untethering surgery at one point.

Regarding danger, there is no such thing as non-dangerous surgery. However, in the hands of a good neurosurgeon who is careful and fastidious, the risk is lower. Which hospital are you going to?

Wise.

brucealexander · 01-07-2003, 07:58 PM

Dr Young, thankyou for your promptness.
The surgeon is Mr William Sears. The hospital is
Royal North Shore Spinal unit. A well respected
hospital held in high esteem as a training and teaching
facility. Your answer to my question was indeed appreciated
and really quite logical. Thankyou and I will let you know
the outcome of the surgery. I think I just needed reassurance.

Bruce.

01-07-2003, 07:16 PM	#1
brucealexander Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 108	Doctor Young- Your advice please on surgery to remove adhensions 1976 C 5/6 incomplete 1976 - ambulant 1980 Laminectomy 1997 Syrinx C1/6 had surgery to detether, successfully. June 2001 Same surgeon wants to remove adhesions that in his opinion are causing pain in my feet, legs etc. I have a hypersensitive back, shoulders with accompying rash. My motor function is deteriorating. I now use a chair to get about.No Pain relief drugs. Autonomic Dysreflexia. I self catheterize 2002 January Surgeon resigns before surgery. 2002 March another neurosurgeon says further surgery unwarranted. 2003 Original surgeon still wants to perform the operation I have been told the operation is dangerous, even die. I could come out in a worse condition. Decision. If I sit and do nothing eg; watch television the pain is bearable But if I try walking, exercise, or rest a weight on my legs pain is 8 plus out of ten. Any motor function aggravates everything. My problem is two opinions. The second one is from a rather inexperienced doctor who trained under the first. Doctors in Australia are petrified of litigation. A rehabilitation doctor told me it was not that dangerous. I respect your opinion could you give me your advice please. Bruce.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

01-07-2003, 07:45 PM	#2
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,975	Bruce, from your description, it sounds as if you need the surgery. You fulfil the following criteria for untethering surgery: 1. You are getting worse both in terms of pain and function 2. You have tethering (or at least one neurosurgeon thinks so) 3. You benefitted from untethering surgery at one point. Regarding danger, there is no such thing as non-dangerous surgery. However, in the hands of a good neurosurgeon who is careful and fastidious, the risk is lower. Which hospital are you going to? Wise.

01-07-2003, 07:58 PM	#3
brucealexander Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 108	Dr Young, thankyou for your promptness. The surgeon is Mr William Sears. The hospital is Royal North Shore Spinal unit. A well respected hospital held in high esteem as a training and teaching facility. Your answer to my question was indeed appreciated and really quite logical. Thankyou and I will let you know the outcome of the surgery. I think I just needed reassurance. Bruce.