Posted on 12/23/2024 2:04:31 PM PST by xxqqzz
Back surgeries are some of the most common operations in Florida, but also the most risky and often unnecessary.
New research proves why anyone suffering from back pain should approach surgery cautiously and choose a surgeon selectively.
Classic back surgery has one of the highest failure rates of any operation (36%), and in a newly released analysis of Medicare data, Florida ranks the highest in the country for the number of low-value and unnecessary back and spine surgeries performed on seniors.
Spine surgeons say too many Florida doctors are operating without expertise and outcomes are predictably poor, leaving patients in as much pain or more. Seniors appear to be particularly vulnerable for failed procedures.
“I have seen patients driven to insanity after failed spine surgery,” said Miami orthopedic spine surgeon Georgiy Brusovanik. “The pain is constant and unbearable.”
New research shows that U.S. hospitals have performed over 200,000 unnecessary back surgeries on Medicare beneficiaries over the last three years, according to Medicare claims data analyzed by the Lown Institute, an independent think tank dedicated to effective medical care. That’s one low-value back procedure every eight minutes.
(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...
I posted this partly to tell my story. I had a procedure for prostate swelling because my kidneys were flooded. Afterwards, there is still urine in my kidneys and the urologist I was seeing couldn't figure out why.
The first new urologist I saw said the procedure didn't work and they needed to do another prostate procedure. His receptionist called me as I was leaving and said I didn't fill out the forms. I asked what forms and she said the consent to surgery for the procedure you discussed.
The second urologist had a CT scan done and found I had a kidney stone. He admitted the flooding was on both sides and the kidney stone was probably not the problem, but he said we should "get it". He made the procedure sound like it was nothing. He then had two surgical schedulers call them. I told them both off. Then the doctor called and I lost it and called him a quack.
I eventually found a good urologist who referred me to a collegue specializing the area and said all causes needed to be investigated.
Unbelieveable, two different doctors tried to get me to do different surgeries and immediately without agreeing to them.
Some of these specialists like urologists, ear, nose, and throat, and orthopedists are specialists but do surgery. They make more money from surgery. They must get people who are gullible who will jump into surgery that probably won't help them. They maybe make like $1 million / year, hurting people.
Always remember that hospitals and Physicians are running a business. They are in business to make money. Be very cautious and definitely get second opinions before entering into any procedure.
I have to wonder, is it all of Florida or South Florida?
Successful back surgeries are rare in my opinion.
My back went out and I could barely walk, went and got an MRI and it showed chunks of something pinching my spinal cord. Everyone said I needed Emergency Back Surgery, but when I woke up the next day after the MRI, I had had a Thrombotic Event in my sleep. Those chunks broke loose and partially clogged a vein and made me look like an Alien. But all my Back Problems were GONE Instantly!! PS the Thrombosis has gone away twice both times came back a month later, not nearly as bad as it was, but still looks wierd.
I suspect Florida leads the country in unnecessary surgeries on seniors of all types.
The number of back operations in Florida is probably due to the high “geezer density” here.
Have had both cervical and lumbar procedures here in South Florida. Although many operations may fail, I believe a lot depends on your expectations. For instance, I continue to live in pain, but it is manageable and most likely from arthritis. Of more importance to me is that I have use of an arm and leg that was being lost due to nerve compression. I chose my surgeon carefully and never sought surgery until the MRI showed a need and alternate treatment produced negligible results. If I were to judge my surgeries on pain reduction, they would be moderately successful. Judge them on ability to do things and they were a success.
The pain would come back every once and a while, but I just dealt with it despite it becoming increasingly worse and more prevalent. Fast forward five years and one morning my back was hurting and my legs literally felt like they were on fire from neuropathic pain. Unfortunately this happened during COVID, so I basically had to live with it for about six weeks because I could get in to see my surgeon. The pain got so bad I finally just went in to the ER and received an MRI and there was a mass around the spinal cord area of my previous surgery that was causing the pressure on the nerve root; although you never want to hear "mass" in medical conversations, but it turned out that it was scar tissue from my previous surgery that grew over the years and wrapped itself around the spinal cord.
The surgeon said he removed as much as he could safely, but he still "nicked" my spinal cord resulting in a small leak of spinal fluid and three extra days in the hospital laying flat on my back for that to heal. Now I'm starting to feel the burning in my legs again. and while I am hopeful it passes, my guess is the scar material is just regrowing and causing he same issue as a few years ago. Bottom line... if the pain is minimal or uncomfortable for short periods of time, you're better off taking Aleve and occasional steroid pack to address. If the pain completely incapacitates and dramatically and adversely impacts you life, find the best surgeon available and know its probably only a temporary fix.
I had 2 doctors try to rush me into 2 different surgeries for the same problem. If after the first visit, someone asks you to sign a consent for surgery form or has the surgical coordinator call you, I would run, not have anything to do with that doctor regardless or whether you might need surgery.
Should one go to Thailand to get an honest opinion? Their services are top notch and don’t cost as much.
doctors and lawyers are the only professionals that legally get away with calling what they do “practice”...
would you trust an automotive repair shop that practices “mechanics”?...
As I waited for a receipt for a knee surgery, the orthopedic office’s receptionist answered a call. Before she hung up, she said, “[My surgeon] doesn’t do back surgeries”.
I immediately felt better about my knee surgery...
The last surgery for me was performed by the same specialists that operated on Tiger Woods a couple years ago here in Dallas, but given the fact that I’m right back where I was three years ago they may have provided Tiger an extra stitch or two. Let me know how Thailand goes, as maybe its in the running for surgery number three.
I think of Thailand as the place to get a second opinion. I’ve been told they’re more attentive than the assembly-line focus you see in the US. I’ve never gone there for anything medical. Plenty of research sites available.
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