Backinthesaddle
12-24-2004, 05:27 AM
I had previously been working with a neurosurgeon however he retired before he could do my second surgery. I was referred to a spinal specialist Orthopedic surgeon. Now I know what my MRI says and what my neurologist said and am quit confused by what the ortho doc said. He told me that the herniation of c4-5 would go away in two years and that I could decide on surgery for the bone spur that is pressing into the spine. He told me I could run, ride horses and go back on the streets (am a police officer which is what got me into having the first surgery and now the second when needed), after I had the surgery that is. I was told that I needed to be off the streets and was placed off of work immediately when my neurosurgeon saw my MRI. He told me that if I got into another incident I could be permanently injured. I requested a light duty position but the ortho acted like that was something he could get questioned on. Im thinking OK here she has one surgery on C6-7 and now moderate to severe stenosis with spinal cord compression and cord flattening at C4-5, a hernation and bone spur and multilevel cervical arthritus and to top it off C7-T1 are also herniated. I have pain in both arms. shoulders and hands/fingers but since he finally saw me 5 weeks after resting I am not in as much pain as I will be once I return to work and am on my feet all day. I am totally confused here. Am I really not in danger? Can I really safetly return to all of the duties I had before? Has any doctor told anyone that? It seems to me it would be a workman's comp nightmare if I did go back on the streets and got hurt again which is entirely possible. Thanks.
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Rolex
12-25-2004, 12:19 PM
I think you should see another Doctor. A Neurosurgeon. I wouldn't trust an Ortho on the cervical area.
WiniPu4
01-07-2005, 07:30 AM
Rolex, I'm with you !! I'd never trust ANY of my spine to anyone but a neurosurgeon....and get references! Find a great neurosurgeon !!
Sam43
01-07-2005, 10:10 AM
Hi BITS, I would agree that you should get a second opinion if you're confused by what you're hearing. From my experience, different docs can come to different conclusions. I first saw an orthopedic surgeon who specialized in ACDFs who actually was more concerned and more insistent on the need for surgery. I was resistant to the idea of surgery at the time so I saw a second doc, a neurosurgeon, who also said I needed surgery but took a less aggresive approach, saying in effect that some people do seem to get better on their own without surgery, but adding that in this case he thought my chances were better with the surgery. I ended up doing a different procedure with this doc, rather than the ACDF.
So there are different approaches and philosophies. Sounds like your new doc is more conservative about surgery and that's not necissarily a bad thing in my opinion. But you should figure out what's best for you, and that may mean getting a second opinion.
So there are different approaches and philosophies. Sounds like your new doc is more conservative about surgery and that's not necissarily a bad thing in my opinion. But you should figure out what's best for you, and that may mean getting a second opinion.
Backinthesaddle
01-07-2005, 01:03 PM
Thanks for your thoughts. I have asked my treating doc to see if she can find me a Neuro who takes workman's comp and is good. I have 8+ months now (baring I stay pg) to have the surgery. I started round 3 of PT and all I know is I am in so much pain and no relief. She stretched my neck forced the flexing and put some heat on and that was it and now my neck, head and jaw feel like they are going to burst and I cannot take any good meds.
Sam what surgery did you have?
K
Sam what surgery did you have?
K
NYFUSED
01-11-2005, 08:26 PM
Hi,
When did you have your c6-7 surgery and what did you have?? Stretching too much too soon after surgery is a no no!!!!! C4-5 bone spur causig stenosis...... the first time you have to stop short in the police car would not be good. Also, could you wrestle an EDP if needed on the job??????
I have to disagree with the above replies in reference to a neuro or orthopedic. I was first treated by a neurosurgeon and then I got a second opinion from a Orthopedic SPINAL SURGEON. He only does SPINES and is 1 of the top 10 spinal surgeons in the United States. He is also the NY Giants surgeon. If you seek advice from an orthopedic he/she must be spinal ortho's. What state are you a PO in???
Good luck
Lori
When did you have your c6-7 surgery and what did you have?? Stretching too much too soon after surgery is a no no!!!!! C4-5 bone spur causig stenosis...... the first time you have to stop short in the police car would not be good. Also, could you wrestle an EDP if needed on the job??????
I have to disagree with the above replies in reference to a neuro or orthopedic. I was first treated by a neurosurgeon and then I got a second opinion from a Orthopedic SPINAL SURGEON. He only does SPINES and is 1 of the top 10 spinal surgeons in the United States. He is also the NY Giants surgeon. If you seek advice from an orthopedic he/she must be spinal ortho's. What state are you a PO in???
Good luck
Lori
Sam43
01-12-2005, 12:29 AM
I had a posterior cervical foraminotomy. I have a post about it on the boards. Both surgeons had originally proposed ACDF, but the neurosurgeon took another MRI and suggested this posterior approach. I had the surgery about two weeks ago and it went well, but I still have some symptoms. I am seeing the NS again tomorrow for followup.
From my experience with PT, I really wonder why they don't coordinate more with the NS. My NS recommended against flexing, but one of my PTs tried it. In my case it wasn't much of a problem, but it soured me on PT a bit.
From my experience with PT, I really wonder why they don't coordinate more with the NS. My NS recommended against flexing, but one of my PTs tried it. In my case it wasn't much of a problem, but it soured me on PT a bit.
Backinthesaddle
01-12-2005, 04:08 AM
Lori I had my decompression surgery in March of 03 however my current injury on C4-5 started in July and progressively got worse. I have never been a big advocate of stretching as it causes me severe pain for days on end. I also do not agree that being on the streets is a good place for someone who from C4-T1 is messed up and will have two surgeries. Not sure what doc was thinking. He is a spinal specialist and most likely does know what he is doing but was to eager to toss me back into the field. I would rather spend the remainder of my years behind a desk healing the best I can. After this last experience with her stretching and flexing my neck I was at a level 9+ for 4 days. I am pg so can't take meds although I took percocet and it didn't help at all. I go back tomorrow and will not let her do that again.
Sam I loved my neorosurgeon and trusted him. He was to the point. This doc is very hyper and talks to fast so I am doubting he really took a solid look at my MRI. I will need a ACDF on this one due to the spur and herniation and severe stenosis. I also have cord compression and flattening. The neorosurgeon recommends this with a decompression. I guess I will have to wait and see. I have perminant nerve damage from C6-7. My right arm spasms and cramps often as does my tricep and shoulder blade. Both arms tire easily when I type on the computer and shake. But on the good side I had severe right tricep pain and atrophy and that ended right after surgery. I did have to follow up with 3 pain shots.
Thanks
Kelly
Sam I loved my neorosurgeon and trusted him. He was to the point. This doc is very hyper and talks to fast so I am doubting he really took a solid look at my MRI. I will need a ACDF on this one due to the spur and herniation and severe stenosis. I also have cord compression and flattening. The neorosurgeon recommends this with a decompression. I guess I will have to wait and see. I have perminant nerve damage from C6-7. My right arm spasms and cramps often as does my tricep and shoulder blade. Both arms tire easily when I type on the computer and shake. But on the good side I had severe right tricep pain and atrophy and that ended right after surgery. I did have to follow up with 3 pain shots.
Thanks
Kelly
zoey1
01-14-2005, 02:29 PM
Please get a second opinon when you have had a fusion it is considered a permanent injury! and if your are in constant pain muslce spams see someone else!!!!!
Bye the by my diabetes doc said i didn't cheat enough that i needed more "spikes" on my blood meter, i looked at her like an idiot and decided that "cheating wasn't worth how it made me feel afterwards.
Some may be wonderful but they are not always right.................
Get a second opnion only you know how you feel............
Bye the by my diabetes doc said i didn't cheat enough that i needed more "spikes" on my blood meter, i looked at her like an idiot and decided that "cheating wasn't worth how it made me feel afterwards.
Some may be wonderful but they are not always right.................
Get a second opnion only you know how you feel............