Yes, if *you* can see it, it is bad! And MRI, myleogams, and X-rays may not reveal the true extent of the damage inside- this is what happened with Emily, it was far, far worse when the surgeon got in & could actually observe the site.
Cut to the chase-- what makes the difference in the outcome of this is the surgeon.... you need to start asking Doctors until you find one or two who have had this same proceedure done on them, with sucess, and use the Doc who did their surgery.
This is what my wife did, and it has worked out fine.
Nothing will fix this problem except mechanical repair- like pinning a broken bone to speed its setting, vs. "just letting nature take its course," there's little choice. Left untreated, the cord will get damaged and it will be grim.
We looked at the non-surgical alternatives, but when I saw the myleogram, I *knew* I had to convince E to get it fixed, fast!
I'm trying to do 10 things at once this AM, so excuse the terseness & maybe lack of coherence, but to summarize:
1- find the Doc that treats the other Docs- sucessfully! Get the one with the best track record of satisfied patients.
2- the surgery is not all that bad- honestly, I've had a harder time, for longer, with some dental proceedures- but it's still a major trauma to your body- expect to take longer to heal than the "ideal" you'll be told; and if you do better faster, count your lucky stars.
3- OK, I just finished with one of the 10 things.... taking Taffy the Fierce out to clear the yard of possums, rats, & terrorists, without barking & waking her Momma up.... the key is getting a good Doc- get that, and all else will fall into place. It really is routine surgery- if you get a careful & competent surgeon.
Oh! and FWIW- Em's doctor started out as a veterinarian before "moving on" to people later--
This is my second time trying to get this to go thru.... one other thing- judging doctors? I place great store in
1- a doc who lets your signifigant other stay with you during exams... shows he's not afraid to have another observe what he's doing, and that he is interested in the part the SO plays...
2- is he quick, thorough, yet gentle? A medical guy who isn't raises warning flags with me.... and medical people who are reluctant to touch you are in the wrong line of work, IMO.