Trusting a Surgeon With Your Spine--Ever a Good Outcome?

none ^ | September 25, 2001 | Chemistcat

[ChemistCat]

I was informed today that I may need surgery on at least my #7 cervical vertebra. The words "urgent" and "severe" have been bandied about, and I was so upset (I didn't even go IN to see about this!) that I didn't ask any questions. I don't know anyone who has had a happy outcome from any kind of back surgery, and the upper spine is scarier still. This is definitely a small thing in light of world events, but like the tornado in Maryland, it's definitely added to the grief in my little corner of the world. Any input would be much, much appreciated. My gut feeling is NOT to let anyone cut on me up there. I've had tonsils and gall bladder out but I haven't missed those like I'd miss all bodily functions below the neck.

[ChemistCat]

Your turn. Oh, and don't tell me to be brave. I think I've used up the entire monthly allotment of courage already. :-)

[spycatcher]

Using lasers it's not as bad as it used to be.

[Vicki]

My Aunt had surgery on her spine about a month ago. Quite a surgery. I don't the specifics, but she's doing fine.

[Hawkeye's Girl]

Um, I dunno anything about back surgery, but why did they say you need it? It doesn't hurt if you didn't go in for it, I assume, so is it pressing on a nerve or something?

[mountaineer]

My husband had back surgery a bit lower down than yours (around L-5/S-1), before which he could barely walk up and down stairs - and since then he has run four marathons nearly as fast as he ran 25 years ago.

[Ethrane]

What surgery are you having? A cervical fusion? Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy? What symptoms are you having? Are they operating due to "pain" or due to neurological impairment due to impingement/stenosis? How old are you? Have you tried other noninvasive or less invasive treatments such as Physical therapy and/or Epidural Steroid injections (if apllicable)?

It all makes a difference...and one cannot answer the question without the details...

[rebel_yell2]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Surgeons like to say "God made man, and I made him better," or something to that effect. They think that they can "fix" everything. My observations have seen mixed results, but alway much pain. Technology is moving very fast in the medical arena: if you can wait, wait, because better options are always just around the corner.

[eureka!]

They've come a long way. I've heard stories good and bad. As to the bad, it usually has to do with not following through with rehab--i.e. doing too much too soon. As to the good, my best friend was in constant pain until the surgery, followed the doctor's orders and now is swinging a golf club with a passion, much to the chagrine of my wallet. Best of luck.....

[Dacus943]

Had C4 through C7 fused. Love the outcome! Little, or no pain one week after surgery.

[a_federalist]

I agree. I lost the use of my left leg before I went through back surgery. If you can still function then don't do it. If you lose functionality then find a surgeon that more than one doctor recommends. That's what I did and I'm fine now except for some permanent nerve damage. But I can walk again.

[Jewels1091]

My husband had a vertebra fused about 5 years ago in his neck. They took a piece of his hip and went in through the front of his neck. It took about 3 or 4 weeks for him to be almost back to normal, but you would never know he had surgery today. In fact, the front of his neck has no scars! If you have a GOOD surgeon, feel safe!

[GROUCHOTWO]

Get a second opinion!!!!!!! C7 is at the base of your neck....What is wrong with it? Has it deteriorated? If so, why has it deteriorated? Is it pinching a nerve?

Remember that there is something wrong, many times there may be more than one way to solve the problem

[tet68]

As they say,a chance to cut is a chance to cure.

My sister had a plate and screw put in her neck to help with some kind of problem she was having with her arms.

Had absolutely no effect and now they can't remove it because one of the screws it too close to the spinal cord.

She is doing better with other less invasive treatment now.

Get a second opinion,then get a third one.

[VRWC_minion]

If your Trent Lott the operation probably won't help. If your not Trent Lott then follow your doctors opinion and get a second opinion to ease your fears.

[vetvetdoug]

Get a second opinion. Get a third if you are still uncomfortable.

[a_federalist]

You have freepmail.

[RJCogburn]

One cannot comment without diagnosis and the planned procedure.

Perhaps it will be comforting to recall Joe Montana had spinal surgery and retured to play at a high level. I'd guess that whatever you do will not be so physically demanding as his profession at the time.

[parsifal]

I popped or bulged a disk several years ago. My doc said I could either get surgery or wait about a year and be in the same shape as I would with surgery. I still hurt. So, ny suggestion is get a few opinions. parsy.

[Renatus]

My niece had a very large tumor that had grown around her spine removed. Took a little while i.e. three or four months of therapy to get the full use of one of her arms back but she's doing fine. ------ Have a friend who had a steel rod put in her spine. She's doing fine. Travels and is meaner than ever.

[ChemistCat]

Bless you all. I called and left a message for the doctor. Told her that I left too upset to ask cogent questions (I had expected to deal with lupus flare problems, not a brand new problem) and that I wanted to know more specifically what she thought was up. I have an "extensive bulging disk problem" that will need to be addressed as soon as possible. I'm supposed to avoid heavy lifting and the like. With all the joint pain I have, I don't do a lot of lifting anyway. Anyway, I have an MRI as soon as my insurance approves it and a follow up with two surgeons in the same practice, plus this rheumatologist who works with them. I no longer heal well. I've had complications after every single surgery I've had with the exception of the biopsy I had last week (possible skin cancer, but my GP doesn't think so.) It doesn't rain but it pours.