Strange meeting with new doctor??? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Backinthesaddle · 12-24-2004, 02:27 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.

Rolex · 12-25-2004, 09:19 AM

I think you should see another Doctor. A Neurosurgeon. I wouldn't trust an Ortho on the cervical area.

WiniPu4 · 01-07-2005, 04:30 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, 07:10 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.

Backinthesaddle · 01-07-2005, 10:03 AM

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