Guest guest Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T Lumbar Spine Surgery Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T Lumbar Spine Surgery Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. He wants to cut me open. I'm lost! thanks ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > Ed > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2009 Report Share Posted July 1, 2009 They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. He wants to cut me open. I'm lost! thanks ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > Ed > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Ed, I had Laser Spine look over my MRI's for my neck. What they say they could do for my neck was unbelieveable but since I'm better now with improved posture, I'm going to wait on that. Also it was going to be a lot of money out of pocket for me - like $15,000 or more. Now there's one in San Diego, so it's within 150 miles for me and in the same state so they could deal directly with my insurance. Anyway that's for my neck, which is an entirely different situation than the lower back. There are micro surgeries for the lower back in a lot of places. Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles probably offers the same type of surgeries as LSI for the lower back. As far as fusing the lower back, I have the feeling that a lot of those surgeries don't work out very well unless you have a real expert who knows how to realign the spine (put the lordotic curve back in) so that further stress isn't put on the upper and lower levels. (I'd go with a spine surgeon knowledgeable in spine reconstructive surgery. They've dealt with scoliosis and the like so they know how to put a spine together right). If you've done everything possible, especially physical therapy and posture training, to reduce your pain, and you have the money then a minimal surgery like LSI is something to consider. LSI can remove bone spurs, which is a big deal and in the lower back where there's a lot more space in the spinal canal than in the neck, I can see where that's doable. If that doesn't work, you really have no other place to go but a fusion with an expert. Regardless of what surgery you have, make a commitment to keep doing the back exercises to keep your lower back strong. And see how it goes. Rochelle > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > Ed > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Ed, I had Laser Spine look over my MRI's for my neck. What they say they could do for my neck was unbelieveable but since I'm better now with improved posture, I'm going to wait on that. Also it was going to be a lot of money out of pocket for me - like $15,000 or more. Now there's one in San Diego, so it's within 150 miles for me and in the same state so they could deal directly with my insurance. Anyway that's for my neck, which is an entirely different situation than the lower back. There are micro surgeries for the lower back in a lot of places. Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles probably offers the same type of surgeries as LSI for the lower back. As far as fusing the lower back, I have the feeling that a lot of those surgeries don't work out very well unless you have a real expert who knows how to realign the spine (put the lordotic curve back in) so that further stress isn't put on the upper and lower levels. (I'd go with a spine surgeon knowledgeable in spine reconstructive surgery. They've dealt with scoliosis and the like so they know how to put a spine together right). If you've done everything possible, especially physical therapy and posture training, to reduce your pain, and you have the money then a minimal surgery like LSI is something to consider. LSI can remove bone spurs, which is a big deal and in the lower back where there's a lot more space in the spinal canal than in the neck, I can see where that's doable. If that doesn't work, you really have no other place to go but a fusion with an expert. Regardless of what surgery you have, make a commitment to keep doing the back exercises to keep your lower back strong. And see how it goes. Rochelle > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > Ed > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Ed, Your surgeon says the partial discectomy won't work because you don't have a soft herniation that's easy to cut off. You probablyy have a disc that has flattened out and turned to bone that extends into the spinal canal and is pressing against the nerve roots. He can't remove bone spurs because he doesn't have the tools or the experience or the guts it would take. His training and experience has been to open up your back or your abdomen (is he proposing doing the fusion from the front or back.), take out the disc and fuses the vertebra above and below. How many levels is he talking about fusing? There are very few places that talk about removing only the bone spurs. LSI is one of them. What they do is drill a hole in the back of the vertebra, in the roof of the vertebra called the lamina (a laminotomy)- (I think that's how they do a partial discectomy too), and go around the nerves inside the spinal canal and drill off the lump of bony degenerated disc. This is very delicate microsurgery. LSI says they could do this in my neck. I kinda don't believe them, but I could see it being done in the lower back. Good luck, Rochelle -- In neck pain , <espanolia@...> wrote: > > They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, > only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some > advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. > He wants to cut me open. > > I'm lost! > > thanks > > > > > > ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > Ed > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Ed, Your surgeon says the partial discectomy won't work because you don't have a soft herniation that's easy to cut off. You probablyy have a disc that has flattened out and turned to bone that extends into the spinal canal and is pressing against the nerve roots. He can't remove bone spurs because he doesn't have the tools or the experience or the guts it would take. His training and experience has been to open up your back or your abdomen (is he proposing doing the fusion from the front or back.), take out the disc and fuses the vertebra above and below. How many levels is he talking about fusing? There are very few places that talk about removing only the bone spurs. LSI is one of them. What they do is drill a hole in the back of the vertebra, in the roof of the vertebra called the lamina (a laminotomy)- (I think that's how they do a partial discectomy too), and go around the nerves inside the spinal canal and drill off the lump of bony degenerated disc. This is very delicate microsurgery. LSI says they could do this in my neck. I kinda don't believe them, but I could see it being done in the lower back. Good luck, Rochelle -- In neck pain , <espanolia@...> wrote: > > They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, > only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some > advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. > He wants to cut me open. > > I'm lost! > > thanks > > > > > > ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > Ed > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Thanks for writing, Rochelle. Ed ---- Rochelle <rccoc1977@...> wrote: > Hi Ed, > > I had Laser Spine look over my MRI's for my neck. What they say they could do for my neck was unbelieveable but since I'm better now with improved posture, I'm going to wait on that. Also it was going to be a lot of money out of pocket for me - like $15,000 or more. Now there's one in San Diego, so it's within 150 miles for me and in the same state so they could deal directly with my insurance. > Anyway that's for my neck, which is an entirely different situation than the lower back. There are micro surgeries for the lower back in a lot of places. Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles probably offers the same type of surgeries as LSI for the lower back. > As far as fusing the lower back, I have the feeling that a lot of those surgeries don't work out very well unless you have a real expert who knows how to realign the spine (put the lordotic curve back in) so that further stress isn't put on the upper and lower levels. (I'd go with a spine surgeon knowledgeable in spine reconstructive surgery. They've dealt with scoliosis and the like so they know how to put a spine together right). If you've done everything possible, especially physical therapy and posture training, to reduce your pain, and you have the money then a minimal surgery like LSI is something to consider. LSI can remove bone spurs, which is a big deal and in the lower back where there's a lot more space in the spinal canal than in the neck, I can see where that's doable. If that doesn't work, you really have no other place to go but a fusion with an expert. Regardless of what surgery you have, make a commitment to keep doing the back exercises to keep your lower back strong. And see how it goes. > > Rochelle > > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > Ed > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Thanks for writing, Rochelle. Ed ---- Rochelle <rccoc1977@...> wrote: > Hi Ed, > > I had Laser Spine look over my MRI's for my neck. What they say they could do for my neck was unbelieveable but since I'm better now with improved posture, I'm going to wait on that. Also it was going to be a lot of money out of pocket for me - like $15,000 or more. Now there's one in San Diego, so it's within 150 miles for me and in the same state so they could deal directly with my insurance. > Anyway that's for my neck, which is an entirely different situation than the lower back. There are micro surgeries for the lower back in a lot of places. Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles probably offers the same type of surgeries as LSI for the lower back. > As far as fusing the lower back, I have the feeling that a lot of those surgeries don't work out very well unless you have a real expert who knows how to realign the spine (put the lordotic curve back in) so that further stress isn't put on the upper and lower levels. (I'd go with a spine surgeon knowledgeable in spine reconstructive surgery. They've dealt with scoliosis and the like so they know how to put a spine together right). If you've done everything possible, especially physical therapy and posture training, to reduce your pain, and you have the money then a minimal surgery like LSI is something to consider. LSI can remove bone spurs, which is a big deal and in the lower back where there's a lot more space in the spinal canal than in the neck, I can see where that's doable. If that doesn't work, you really have no other place to go but a fusion with an expert. Regardless of what surgery you have, make a commitment to keep doing the back exercises to keep your lower back strong. And see how it goes. > > Rochelle > > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > Ed > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Rochelle, He wants to go in from the back and do a laminotomy on L 4-5, remove the disc completely then graft bone and secure with a small rod and screws and bolts, as I understand it. Thanks again, Ed ---- Rochelle <rccoc1977@...> wrote: > Hi Ed, > > Your surgeon says the partial discectomy won't work because you don't have a soft herniation that's easy to cut off. You probablyy have a disc that has flattened out and turned to bone that extends into the spinal canal and is pressing against the nerve roots. He can't remove bone spurs because he doesn't have the tools or the experience or the guts it would take. His training and experience has been to open up your back or your abdomen (is he proposing doing the fusion from the front or back.), take out the disc and fuses the vertebra above and below. How many levels is he talking about fusing? > There are very few places that talk about removing only the bone spurs. LSI is one of them. What they do is drill a hole in the back of the vertebra, in the roof of the vertebra called the lamina (a laminotomy)- (I think that's how they do a partial discectomy too), and go around the nerves inside the spinal canal and drill off the lump of bony degenerated disc. This is very delicate microsurgery. LSI says they could do this in my neck. I kinda don't believe them, but I could see it being done in the lower back. > > Good luck, > > Rochelle > > > -- In neck pain , <espanolia@...> wrote: > > > > They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, > > only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some > > advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. > > He wants to cut me open. > > > > I'm lost! > > > > thanks > > > > > > > > > > > > ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > > > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > > > > > > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > > > > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > > > Ed > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 2, 2009 Report Share Posted July 2, 2009 Hi Rochelle, He wants to go in from the back and do a laminotomy on L 4-5, remove the disc completely then graft bone and secure with a small rod and screws and bolts, as I understand it. Thanks again, Ed ---- Rochelle <rccoc1977@...> wrote: > Hi Ed, > > Your surgeon says the partial discectomy won't work because you don't have a soft herniation that's easy to cut off. You probablyy have a disc that has flattened out and turned to bone that extends into the spinal canal and is pressing against the nerve roots. He can't remove bone spurs because he doesn't have the tools or the experience or the guts it would take. His training and experience has been to open up your back or your abdomen (is he proposing doing the fusion from the front or back.), take out the disc and fuses the vertebra above and below. How many levels is he talking about fusing? > There are very few places that talk about removing only the bone spurs. LSI is one of them. What they do is drill a hole in the back of the vertebra, in the roof of the vertebra called the lamina (a laminotomy)- (I think that's how they do a partial discectomy too), and go around the nerves inside the spinal canal and drill off the lump of bony degenerated disc. This is very delicate microsurgery. LSI says they could do this in my neck. I kinda don't believe them, but I could see it being done in the lower back. > > Good luck, > > Rochelle > > > -- In neck pain , <espanolia@...> wrote: > > > > They call it a partial discectomy. Like endoscopic surgery, > > only they dissintegrate it with the laser. Supposed to be some > > advanced technique, But my surgeon says it won't be sufficient. > > He wants to cut me open. > > > > I'm lost! > > > > thanks > > > > > > > > > > > > ---- carrie.heflin@... wrote: > > > What type of surgery would they perform with a laser? I don't see how you could fix disc issues with a laser... > > > > > > > > > > > > Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T > > > > > > Lumbar Spine Surgery > > > > > > > > > Has anyone had any laser spinal surgery? Dealings with the Laser Spine Institute? > > > They say they can help me, but my hometown surgeon wants to fuse etc. > > > > > > Any help appreciated, I am new to the group, > > > > > > Ed > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 , I haven't had the surgery, although I do have problems with my lumbar spine. I just wanted to extend my best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. Please let us know how you are as soon as you're able. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sue On Oct 6, 2009, at 3:22 PM, cynthiadew1 wrote: > Again, has anyone else had this type of surgery? I know last year > several people answered my post, and I am grateful for their > reponses. Just knowing someone else has done this before with RA > and is doing okay eased my mind a lot. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 , I have NO experience with this however I will tell you that I will remember to pray for you next Tuesday morning and I hope this procedure brings you what you need. I admire you. Wishing you all the best, in PA [ ] Lumbar Spine Surgery I've been lurking on the list. I wanted to post this information on what has been going on with me. One, to see if anyone else has had a Anterior/Posterior spinal fusions, and what their experiences were with recovery. And two, to remind list members to get checked out if they are having pain in lower backs, necks, or unexplained pain in their limbs. Granted when I first started with this pain, the pain pre-dated my dx of RA, the treatments for the spine were not what they are now. Well last year was fusion for my cervical spine. This year it is my lumbar spine. My new MRI has a laundry list of issues: DDD, stenosis of my spine and foramen, arthropathies, hypertrophies, hemangiomas, and something described as a nonspecific heterogeneous appearance to the bone marrow which may reflect sequela from infiltrative process considering the patient's clinical history. What I know and is easy for me to understand without doing a long search on the internet is that my discs are all dried out and compressing, I have bone spurs everywhere, my facet joints are bone on bone on two levels, and I'm tried of the pain! So, imagine having pain in your groin. So you go to the Rheumy and have x-rays and he doesn't see anything wrong with your hip joints. A little wear on your cartiledge but nothing that would cause the pain you are having. You have pain in knee, again the x-rays look okay. There is some swelling in your knee, so you get a cortisone shot. No relief from the pain. So you go to your orthopedic surgeon. Last year he did cervical fusion, which improved the function and pain level of my right arm at least 80%. So over the past couple of months, I started and have slowly gone up to 1200 mg of neurotin daily to deal with the referred pain from either my cerival or lumbar areas. Which helps cover up the pain, it does not treat the cause of the pain. I am still in pain, but it's 'better' than it was. Since getting the pain kind of under control, that is when a CT and MRI was done. My Surgeon wanted to see if something had gone bad with the cervical fusion. Luckily that cervical spine fusion looks great. The levels above and below, will in the future have to be dealt with, but that is just one of the joys of RA affecting the cervical spine. This year we are dealing with the lumbar spine. It is messy, and my surgeon is going to do a anterior and posterior fusions with rods, screws and such. Hopefully this will do two things, stabilize my spine, and reduce the pain. I am having surgery next Tuesday. I have a surgeon I trust. He is a Spinal Reconstruction Specialist, and only works on spines. I am staying in the hospital for 4 days, and will go to a rehab hospital for a week or so directly after that. Again, has anyone else had this type of surgery? I know last year several people answered my post, and I am grateful for their reponses. Just knowing someone else has done this before with RA and is doing okay eased my mind a lot. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 May you have a very successful surgery, . Not an MD On Tue, Oct 6, 2009 at 2:22 PM, cynthiadew1 <cynthiadew1@...> wrote: > I've been lurking on the list. Â I wanted to post this information on what has been going on with me. Â One, to see if anyone else has had a Anterior/Posterior spinal fusions, and what their experiences were with recovery. Â And two, to remind list members to get checked out if they are having pain in lower backs, necks, or unexplained pain in their limbs. Â Granted when I first started with this pain, the pain pre-dated my dx of RA, the treatments for the spine were not what they are now. > > Well last year was fusion for my cervical spine. Â This year it is my lumbar spine. Â My new MRI has a laundry list of issues: DDD, stenosis of my spine and foramen, arthropathies, hypertrophies, hemangiomas, and something described as a nonspecific heterogeneous appearance to the bone marrow which may reflect sequela from infiltrative process considering the patient's clinical history. Â What I know and is easy for me to understand without doing a long search on the internet is that my discs are all dried out and compressing, I have bone spurs everywhere, my facet joints are bone on bone on two levels, and I'm tried of the pain! > > So, imagine having pain in your groin. Â So you go to the Rheumy and have x-rays and he doesn't see anything wrong with your hip joints. Â A little wear on your cartiledge but nothing that would cause the pain you are having. Â You have pain in knee, again the x-rays look okay. Â There is some swelling in your knee, so you get a cortisone shot. Â No relief from the pain. Â So you go to your orthopedic surgeon. Â Last year he did cervical fusion, which improved the function and pain level of my right arm at least 80%. Â So over the past couple of months, I started and have slowly gone up to 1200 mg of neurotin daily to deal with the referred pain from either my cerival or lumbar areas. Â Which helps cover up the pain, it does not treat the cause of the pain. Â I am still in pain, but it's 'better' than it was. Â Since getting the pain kind of under control, that is when a CT and MRI was done. Â My Surgeon wanted to see if something had gone bad with the cervical fusion. Â Luckily that cervical spine fusion looks great. Â The levels above and below, will in the future have to be dealt with, but that is just one of the joys of RA affecting the cervical spine. Â This year we are dealing with the lumbar spine. It is messy, and my surgeon is going to do a anterior and posterior fusions with rods, screws and such. Â Hopefully this will do two things, stabilize my spine, and reduce the pain. > > I am having surgery next Tuesday. Â I have a surgeon I trust. He is a Spinal Reconstruction Specialist, and only works on spines. Â I am staying in the hospital for 4 days, and will go to a rehab hospital for a week or so directly after that. > > Again, has anyone else had this type of surgery? Â I know last year several people answered my post, and I am grateful for their reponses. Â Just knowing someone else has done this before with RA and is doing okay eased my mind a lot. Â Thanks > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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