I have been diagnosed with a herniated Cervical disk injury (I'm waiting to get definitive MRI results), and I want to find a better doctor. I've been seeing a physiatrist that spends about 5 minutes with me each visit, and never explains anything.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

I believe there is a guy named Dr Shiffer or something out in CA. Through my travels I came across his site. He offers a download of a minimal invasive cervical discectomy.. I don't know the site, but search for it and download it. I can't swear by this guy, but the video is so comforting.

Hi
Try Dr. Zucherman, I think he is at St. Marys in S.F. He is one of the best.

Let us know how you fare.

Mark

Hi PaulieAnn and welcome http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

May I recommend my surgeon? He is (according to 2 other doctors that I know of) the #1 IDET and Nucleoplasty surgeon in the nation. You can try the Spinal Diagnostics Center in Daly City. I commuted from Concord...so your commute would be negligable.



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successtory
Oct 2000: Repetitive Stress Injury-Inverted Hernia
Feb 2001: MRI. Shows only slight bulge at L4-L5
Dec 2001: Discogram/CT scan shows Inverted Hernia at L5-S1. L4-L5 & L5-S1 ruptured in all 4 quadrants. Unable to walk.
Feb 2002: IDET, Nucleoplasty, Intra-Discal Injections
Sept 2002: Rated in the top 10% for successful patients. Retraining for new career.

Thanks for your response. What is your Doctor's name? I looked at the Spinal Diagnostics website.

Originally posted by successtory:
Hi PaulieAnn and welcome http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

May I recommend my surgeon? He is (according to 2 other doctors that I know of) the #1 IDET and Nucleoplasty surgeon in the nation. You can try the Spinal Diagnostics Center in Daly City. I commuted from Concord...so your commute would be negligable.

Dear Paulineann:
Sorry that I haven't responded to your question, I had surgery on 4/14, 4/16 of April of this year. I went to the Spine Care Center in Daly City. My doctor was Dr. Slozar. He did a multi-level fusion on me with the cadevar bone and rods, posts and screws. I do know that he is one of the best in the nation. He travels all over to teach doctors on how to do the procedures. Hope that this helps you.
Elise

I did a search on web site for locating top doctors and there was one neuro-surgeon in san fransisco that is listed as a top doctor.

If I can post the site address would someone let me know. Thanks

Here is the doctor's info:


Brian Thomas Andrews
Specialty: Neurological Surgery

Address: 2100 Webster St, Ste 521 , San Francisco, CA, 94115
Phone: (415) 202-1563 County: San Francisco

Primary Hospital: California Pacific Medical Center - Pacific Campus

Special Expertise: Brain Disorder & Treatment; Spine Disorder & Treatment


I have no personal knowledge of this doctor, this is just what I found on the web. Good luck

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27 years old computer programmer
April 1996 - Bulging L4/L5 disk from car accident.
October 2002 - Low back pain and pain in left leg.
October 2002 - See chiropractor with minimal relief.
November 2002 - MRI shows L4/L5 moderate disk herniation (left and center)
January 2003 - Try PT for a couple of weeks some relief until chiropractor visit.
February 2003 - Chiropractor does traction, resulting in first instance of numbness in foot.
Late February 2003 and still going - New Physical Therapist, not much relief yet...
March 2003 - Very light pain in right leg in addition to left, EMG suggests nerve damage/irritaion in both legs.
March 2003 - Second MRI shows L4/L5 moderate disk herniation (left and center), slightly larger
April 3, 2003 - Epidural Injection, slight pain relief, more tingling in left leg and right.
April 17, 2003 - Going for second epidural injection.
April 22,2003 - Feeling some relief, started doing exersices from the McKenzie book.
May 1, 2003 - Third epidural injection
May 7, 2003 - Still in pain, less numbness and tingling
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