Hello everyone I am new to these forums and I come here in search of someone who might know of a Dr who performs THORACIC Discograms.
I put the word Thoracic in caps because I cannot seem to find a Dr who performs them in this area of the back. I have herniated disks levels t6 through t10 and my surgeon at HSS needs to know which disk it is causing the pain.
I have already been through 2 c/spine fusions at HSS ( Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan ) which did not require a discogram but I need one for my thoracic. I am on Long Island but will travel almost anywhere to get this done. I am in terrible pain from an injury in 08', I have had multiple injections, facet blocks and radio frequency procedures done with no relief and am looking to surgery for my answer.
Any help will be GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Last edited by WayTooLong; 01-04-2012 at 01:17 PM.
There isn't a Dr at HSS qualified or trained to do a discogram on the thoracic spine, they do them on the c/spine and lumbar but not thoracic.
I actually haven't been able to find a Dr at any of the big NYC hospitals that do thoracic, it has been absolutely mind blowing to me that i cannot find a Dr in the NY area to do one, hence my forum search.
I really need help BADLY with this, I pray someone can steer me in the right direction, as everyone knows living day in and day out with pain thats almost unbearable is torture. I need a discogram badly to help me get on track..... if the herniations weren't all together they would consider doing surgery without a disco, but since I am herniated T6 through T10 they can't fuse them all they tell me........... please help
Last edited by WayTooLong; 01-04-2012 at 04:15 PM.
He is advising me to find someone to do a Thoracic Discogram. He doesn't know anyone that does them, and to be quite honest he isn't being as helpful as I thought he would be in finding someone to do it for me.
Last edited by WayTooLong; 01-05-2012 at 06:44 AM.
You could call this guy's office and inquire whether he performs thoracic discograms....he is fellowship-trained, board certified in anesthesiology and pain management, and I know he does cervical and lumbar discograms. His website does not specifically mention thoracic discograms, but if you call and ask, you could explain your situation and see if they know anyone, if this doctor doesn't do them. Hope this helps. He's located in Manhattan.
I will call him, but the 1st piece of advice you gave me worked out already.
I contacted a Thoracic spine surgeon at Yale/New Haven , Dr Grauer, his specialty is Thoracic spine, I have an appointment set up to go see him.
You must see him 1st before they will refer you to someone they deal with to do the discogram, but its a step in the right direction because they know people that perform the thoracic discos........
Thank you Soooooooooo much for your help.
Last edited by WayTooLong; 01-05-2012 at 08:54 AM.
Ok, good. Maybe the thoracic specialist will have a better idea as to how to treat you, rather than fusing multiple levels. Please let is know how it turns out and what he thinks should be done.
When is your appointment?
The Following User Says Thank You to teteri66 For This Useful Post: WayTooLong (01-05-2012)
I also contacted Dr Kuo from your post above and HE DOES DO thoracic discograms! I asked the assistant to ask Dr Kuo if he specifically does them in the thoracic area and she called me back hours later to confirm he does.( Although I must mention I have been told this from other offices 3 times already only to get there and be told by the Dr he doesn't do them ) I just had this experience on Tues with a Dr in PA. I drove all the way to East Stroudsberg only to meet the Dr and have him tell me I was misinformed by his staff...........
So I have also scheduled a consult with him as well, thats the last week of Jan.
I CANNOT thank you enough for your help in steering me in a direction that may prove helpful to me..........
Last edited by WayTooLong; 01-05-2012 at 01:46 PM.
