Re: ,.... What would be the reason for a doctor to...

[Guest guest]

Sue - I know I am not , but my surgeon told me he did my surgery

posteriorly  because:

 

1) I needed the stenosis relieved and bone spurs removed as well as 3) below

 

2) There is an increased chance of complications with anterior surgery related

to swallowing specifically, as compared to posterior approach

 

3) I primarily need decompression of the spine for the nerve root issues I was

having, not the disks removed and replaced

 

and Yes I did have delamination (removal of the facets along with the fusion

surgery that I had. I also do not know how many surgeons do both types of

surgeries, I am sure most learn and do the anterior approach as it is the neweer

thing. 

 

My doctor is an orthopedic spine specialist, not a neuro so I don't know what

that has to do with it either. I went to him becasue the ortho that did my hip

surgery (2x) and shoulder surgeries recommended him and is in the same practice

with him, as is the team doctor for the Baltimore Ravens Football team.  He is

the head of the Spine and Orthopedics Department at Habor Hospital in Baltimore.

I had great results so far, but reading here I know that time is not a friend of

this surgery sometimes, so we will see.

 

, what do you think? Other reasons?

 

mark

From: citi_sue <no_reply >

Subject: ,.... What would be the reason for a

doctor to...

spinal problems

Date: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 11:24 AM

,

What would be some reasons a surgeon would operate on the neck from the

back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was going to go through

the back when he told me I need to be fused from C 2-7 with titanium.

The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try to hold off having to

have this surgery. This is another doctor that has me going to this.

He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my pain meds completely, and

then see him again when this is done. Then he wants to see what I'm

left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is the Orthopedic surgeon

I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't know that I will let

him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from another neurosurgeon

sometime down the road.

Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove the facets like they

did on my back??? The ones that are giving me so much trouble by the

base of my skull? I don't know that I would a doctor doing that....

but I don't know, I'm not educated and know nothing of this stuff....

So why would they go from the back of the neck??? Thanks .

Sue.

[Guest guest]

Hi sue,

First, get a secong opinion, but don't tell them

it's a second opinion and don't forward the records.

Let them come to their own conclusion without knowing

who your other doc is and what he said...at least as

best as you can.

Second, a fusion can be done from the back by

placing screws into the pedicles of the vertebrae and

then attaching a thin rod to the tops of these screws

which connects all levels you are fusing. Also, you

can do a discectomy and remove SOME bone spurs from

the back (posterior).

Some docs prefer the posterior approach as they have

not learned the anterior approach or they are

uncomfortable with the anatomy in the neck. Also there

are different risks when you approach from the from

than the back, done by a HIGHLY trained surgeon, these

are minimal, but there.

All docs come with their own background, experiences,

opinions and comfort level. Yuo should feel comfrtable

enough to ask him why he wants to go through the

posterior.

---Good luck! ---

--- citi_sue <no_reply > wrote:

> ,

> What would be some reasons a surgeon would operate

> on the neck from the

> back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> going to go through

> the back when he told me I need to be fused from C

> 2-7 with titanium.

> The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try to

> hold off having to

> have this surgery. This is another doctor that has

> me going to this.

> He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my pain

> meds completely, and

> then see him again when this is done. Then he wants

> to see what I'm

> left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is the

> Orthopedic surgeon

> I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't know

> that I will let

> him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> another neurosurgeon

> sometime down the road.

>

> Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove the

> facets like they

> did on my back??? The ones that are giving me so

> much trouble by the

> base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> doctor doing that....

> but I don't know, I'm not educated and know nothing

> of this stuff....

> So why would they go from the back of the neck???

> Thanks .

> Sue.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Mark and Sue,

Why do you think you had your facets romoved? that

isn't something that I'm familiar with.

Removing the lamina which is called LAMINECTOMY, is

done to access the nerve roots and open up the canal.

This is done on all back surgery for either fusion or

discectomy, but this does not remove the facets. The

facets are the actual joint that each vertebrae hinges

on. They usually remove the facet capsule, but not the

facet joint itself.

---

--- citi_sue <no_reply > wrote:

> ,

> What would be some reasons a surgeon would operate

> on the neck from the

> back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> going to go through

> the back when he told me I need to be fused from C

> 2-7 with titanium.

> The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try to

> hold off having to

> have this surgery. This is another doctor that has

> me going to this.

> He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my pain

> meds completely, and

> then see him again when this is done. Then he wants

> to see what I'm

> left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is the

> Orthopedic surgeon

> I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't know

> that I will let

> him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> another neurosurgeon

> sometime down the road.

>

> Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove the

> facets like they

> did on my back??? The ones that are giving me so

> much trouble by the

> base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> doctor doing that....

> but I don't know, I'm not educated and know nothing

> of this stuff....

> So why would they go from the back of the neck???

> Thanks .

> Sue.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Well, thank you for answering my question... Both of my other neck

surguries were done through the front. I read some of the posts. My

first neck surgery, I didn't have a problem with my throat, but on my

second one, I did have problems swallowing for a few months, but it

is gone now. And I just could not believe the swelling! There was a

lot! and it was my WHOLE neck. That took a very long time to go

away. I looked like a totally different person. Thats how bad it

was.

I went shopping again today.... don't know if I am done or not. It

was snowing when I left, and snowed pretty much the whole day and

night. When I finally headed for home it started raining on top of

the foot of snow we have. Now it is freezing, and there are warnings

out. If there weren't warnings and my hospital werent so far away,

I would be taking myself to the hospital for my pain.... I can't do

this, I really mean it, I can't do this, I can't

finish....wrapping, groceries yet.... company coming. My neck is

causing me pain all over my body. And this isn't my arthritis pain.

It is sharp pain.... so sensitive. I want to totlly cancel

christmas... I think I got everybody done except for my husband, but

hekept telling me not to get him anything, that he was fine.

I'm sorry to be posting like this, but i'm just in a terrible way

rightnow. My pain pills aren't lasting long anymore today. only

about two hours then i'm in a fit again, not that really goes away.

And i was good, i didn't carry any bags but everytime I would start

walking I would get in a bad way. Neck start hurting, start feeling

ill, feet strt dragging then pain starts getting worse and worse,

then calms down when i sit down and be still for a long time.. I

want to go to the hospital really bad. But if I do they will keep me

there,, and I will ruin everybodys christmas. This makes me feel

that my therapy isn't going to stop me needing more surgery. Things

jst don't feel right.

, the reason I was thinking they cut out the facets is because i

have such a HUGE dent in my back... I guess thats silly huh? They

took bone from my hip, and I still have a huge indentation there that

i can fit my pinkie into. Werent they supposed to fill that in with

something??? Still hurts, more so if I bump it, the scar healed

very " thin " , and its been ages since it wass done... Well,

I want to say hi to everybody else becuse I cant replly back to youo.

marry christmas if i don't talk to you all. thanks or answering my

question tracy.

Sue.

>

> > ,

> > What would be some reasons a surgeon would operate

> > on the neck from the

> > back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> > going to go through

> > the back when he told me I need to be fused from C

> > 2-7 with titanium.

> > The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try to

> > hold off having to

> > have this surgery. This is another doctor that has

> > me going to this.

> > He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my pain

> > meds completely, and

> > then see him again when this is done. Then he wants

> > to see what I'm

> > left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is the

> > Orthopedic surgeon

> > I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't know

> > that I will let

> > him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> > another neurosurgeon

> > sometime down the road.

> >

> > Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove the

> > facets like they

> > did on my back??? The ones that are giving me so

> > much trouble by the

> > base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> > doctor doing that....

> > but I don't know, I'm not educated and know nothing

> > of this stuff....

> > So why would they go from the back of the neck???

> > Thanks .

> > Sue.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Sue, I feel for you, sounds like you are having a bumppie road these days. I

sure am glad I don't live in snow bound areas, because I would be so hurting

like ya'll. Even though this weather is just as bad here with the drastic temp

changes all the time. Sometimes you don't know how to dress, like yesterday I

started out to my PM appointment it was freezing cold out, when I got home last

night it was so hot here I was pouring sweat under my cold weather cloths, and

when it changes like this it really gets to the ole bones. My PM try to say it's

not the weather that makes you hurt, it's the way you dress for cold weather

that makes you hurt, because the nerves are really sensitive to the

coldness....well duh!!! what difference does it make its still the coldness that

hits your body that makes you hurt.. Right? Any input any one? ? ?

Anyways I am so sorry that I find everyone hurting so bad for Christmas. My

Christmas wish is that all my

friends have a lot more of pain free days!!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Everyone!!!

 

george

 

The dog has seldom been successful in pulling man up to its level of sagacity,

but man has frequently dragged the dog down to his. Thurber

________________________________

From: citi_sue <no_reply >

spinal problems

Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:55:16 AM

Subject: Re: ,.... What would be the reason for

a doctor to...

Hi ,

Well, thank you for answering my question... Both of my other neck

surguries were done through the front. I read some of the posts. My

first neck surgery, I didn't have a problem with my throat, but on my

second one, I did have problems swallowing for a few months, but it

is gone now. And I just could not believe the swelling! There was a

lot! and it was my WHOLE neck. That took a very long time to go

away. I looked like a totally different person. Thats how bad it

was.

I went shopping again today.... don't know if I am done or not. It

was snowing when I left, and snowed pretty much the whole day and

night. When I finally headed for home it started raining on top of

the foot of snow we have. Now it is freezing, and there are warnings

out. If there weren't warnings and my hospital werent so far away,

I would be taking myself to the hospital for my pain.... I can't do

this, I really mean it, I can't do this, I can't

finish....wrapping, groceries yet.... company coming. My neck is

causing me pain all over my body. And this isn't my arthritis pain.

It is sharp pain.... so sensitive. I want to totlly cancel

christmas... I think I got everybody done except for my husband, but

hekept telling me not to get him anything, that he was fine.

I'm sorry to be posting like this, but i'm just in a terrible way

rightnow. My pain pills aren't lasting long anymore today. only

about two hours then i'm in a fit again, not that really goes away.

And i was good, i didn't carry any bags but everytime I would start

walking I would get in a bad way. Neck start hurting, start feeling

ill, feet strt dragging then pain starts getting worse and worse,

then calms down when i sit down and be still for a long time.. I

want to go to the hospital really bad. But if I do they will keep me

there,, and I will ruin everybodys christmas. This makes me feel

that my therapy isn't going to stop me needing more surgery. Things

jst don't feel right.

, the reason I was thinking they cut out the facets is because i

have such a HUGE dent in my back... I guess thats silly huh? They

took bone from my hip, and I still have a huge indentation there that

i can fit my pinkie into. Werent they supposed to fill that in with

something??? Still hurts, more so if I bump it, the scar healed

very " thin " , and its been ages since it wass done... Well,

I want to say hi to everybody else becuse I cant replly back to youo.

marry christmas if i don't talk to you all. thanks or answering my

question tracy.

Sue.

>

> > ,

> > What would be some reasons a surgeon would operate

> > on the neck from the

> > back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> > going to go through

> > the back when he told me I need to be fused from C

> > 2-7 with titanium.

> > The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try to

> > hold off having to

> > have this surgery. This is another doctor that has

> > me going to this.

> > He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my pain

> > meds completely, and

> > then see him again when this is done. Then he wants

> > to see what I'm

> > left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is the

> > Orthopedic surgeon

> > I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't know

> > that I will let

> > him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> > another neurosurgeon

> > sometime down the road.

> >

> > Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove the

> > facets like they

> > did on my back??? The ones that are giving me so

> > much trouble by the

> > base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> > doctor doing that....

> > but I don't know, I'm not educated and know nothing

> > of this stuff....

> > So why would they go from the back of the neck???

> > Thanks .

> > Sue.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Sorry to hear how bad you are feeling. My prayers

are with you.

the reasone for the dent in your back is the removal

of the spinous process. That is the part that sticks

out and causes the " bump " that you feel for each

vertebra. They have to remove that for any back

surgery.

If you have hardware in your neck from the fusion.

it may very well be the hardware that is causing pain.

It caused me tremendous incapacitating pain, until it

was removed. I'm a new person. I usually only ache bad

when there's a low pressure storm, or if I sit too

long or overdo it.

---

--- citi_sue <no_reply > wrote:

> Hi ,

> Well, thank you for answering my question... Both

> of my other neck

> surguries were done through the front. I read some

> of the posts. My

> first neck surgery, I didn't have a problem with my

> throat, but on my

> second one, I did have problems swallowing for a few

> months, but it

> is gone now. And I just could not believe the

> swelling! There was a

> lot! and it was my WHOLE neck. That took a very

> long time to go

> away. I looked like a totally different person.

> Thats how bad it

> was.

>

> I went shopping again today.... don't know if I am

> done or not. It

> was snowing when I left, and snowed pretty much the

> whole day and

> night. When I finally headed for home it started

> raining on top of

> the foot of snow we have. Now it is freezing, and

> there are warnings

> out. If there weren't warnings and my hospital

> werent so far away,

> I would be taking myself to the hospital for my

> pain.... I can't do

> this, I really mean it, I can't do this, I can't

> finish....wrapping, groceries yet.... company

> coming. My neck is

> causing me pain all over my body. And this isn't my

> arthritis pain.

> It is sharp pain.... so sensitive. I want to totlly

> cancel

> christmas... I think I got everybody done except

> for my husband, but

> hekept telling me not to get him anything, that he

> was fine.

>

> I'm sorry to be posting like this, but i'm just in a

> terrible way

> rightnow. My pain pills aren't lasting long anymore

> today. only

> about two hours then i'm in a fit again, not that

> really goes away.

> And i was good, i didn't carry any bags but

> everytime I would start

> walking I would get in a bad way. Neck start

> hurting, start feeling

> ill, feet strt dragging then pain starts getting

> worse and worse,

> then calms down when i sit down and be still for a

> long time.. I

> want to go to the hospital really bad. But if I do

> they will keep me

> there,, and I will ruin everybodys christmas. This

> makes me feel

> that my therapy isn't going to stop me needing more

> surgery. Things

> jst don't feel right.

>

> , the reason I was thinking they cut out the

> facets is because i

> have such a HUGE dent in my back... I guess thats

> silly huh? They

> took bone from my hip, and I still have a huge

> indentation there that

> i can fit my pinkie into. Werent they supposed to

> fill that in with

> something??? Still hurts, more so if I bump it, the

> scar healed

> very " thin " , and its been ages since it wass

> done... Well,

> I want to say hi to everybody else becuse I cant

> replly back to youo.

> marry christmas if i don't talk to you all. thanks

> or answering my

> question tracy.

> Sue.

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > ,

> > > What would be some reasons a surgeon would

> operate

> > > on the neck from the

> > > back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> > > going to go through

> > > the back when he told me I need to be fused from

> C

> > > 2-7 with titanium.

> > > The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try

> to

> > > hold off having to

> > > have this surgery. This is another doctor that

> has

> > > me going to this.

> > > He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my

> pain

> > > meds completely, and

> > > then see him again when this is done. Then he

> wants

> > > to see what I'm

> > > left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is

> the

> > > Orthopedic surgeon

> > > I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't

> know

> > > that I will let

> > > him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> > > another neurosurgeon

> > > sometime down the road.

> > >

> > > Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove

> the

> > > facets like they

> > > did on my back??? The ones that are giving me

> so

> > > much trouble by the

> > > base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> > > doctor doing that....

> > > but I don't know, I'm not educated and know

> nothing

> > > of this stuff....

> > > So why would they go from the back of the

> neck???

> > > Thanks .

> > > Sue.

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm sorry I kinda fell apart on you there.... I was feeling pretty

bad. Ended out being in bed all day christmas eve. My body just

quit on me, said it wasn't going shopping any more or nothing! lol

But I am still recooperating. Pretty much been in bed since. Will

need to see the doctor this coming week, start my toradol shots

again. He's not gonna be happy with what has happened... neither am

I. Hope your Christmas was splendid. Mine was still nice, I had my

family there. Take care.

Sue

> > >

> > > > ,

> > > > What would be some reasons a surgeon would

> > operate

> > > > on the neck from the

> > > > back??? The last neurosurgeon I saw said he was

> > > > going to go through

> > > > the back when he told me I need to be fused from

> > C

> > > > 2-7 with titanium.

> > > > The reason I am going to pool therapy is to try

> > to

> > > > hold off having to

> > > > have this surgery. This is another doctor that

> > has

> > > > me going to this.

> > > > He wants me to do the therapy, get off of my

> > pain

> > > > meds completely, and

> > > > then see him again when this is done. Then he

> > wants

> > > > to see what I'm

> > > > left with as far as pain and symptoms. This is

> > the

> > > > Orthopedic surgeon

> > > > I sent and saw a couple of months ago. I don't

> > know

> > > > that I will let

> > > > him do surgery, I will getting an opinion from

> > > > another neurosurgeon

> > > > sometime down the road.

> > > >

> > > > Maybe the that neurosurgeon was going to remove

> > the

> > > > facets like they

> > > > did on my back??? The ones that are giving me

> > so

> > > > much trouble by the

> > > > base of my skull? I don't know that I would a

> > > > doctor doing that....

> > > > but I don't know, I'm not educated and know

> > nothing

> > > > of this stuff....

> > > > So why would they go from the back of the

> > neck???

> > > > Thanks .

> > > > Sue.

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

Hoping you are feeling better today. Be careful how

much Toradol you take. I'm sure the doctor has you on

a strict and closely watched regimen? Toradol is a

powerful and blessed medication. I use the oral mode

when it rains only and I don't have to take any

narcotics because of it. It's a fabulous med....if

only it weren't so dangerous.

--

--- citi_sue <no_reply > wrote:

> ,

> I'm sorry I kinda fell apart on you there.... I was

> feeling pretty

> bad. Ended out being in bed all day christmas eve.

> My body just

> quit on me, said it wasn't going shopping any more

> or nothing! lol

> But I am still recooperating. Pretty much been in

> bed since. Will

> need to see the doctor this coming week, start my

> toradol shots

> again. He's not gonna be happy with what has

> happened... neither am

> I. Hope your Christmas was splendid. Mine was

> still nice, I had my

> family there. Take care.

> Sue

>

>

> > > >

> > > > Hi sue,

> > > >

> > > > First, get a secong opinion, but don't tell

> them

> > > > it's a second opinion and don't forward the

> > > records.

> > > > Let them come to their own conclusion without

> > > knowing

> > > > who your other doc is and what he said...at

> least

> > > as

> > > > best as you can.

> > > >

> > > > Second, a fusion can be done from the back

> by

> > > > placing screws into the pedicles of the

> vertebrae

> > > and

> > > > then attaching a thin rod to the tops of these

> > > screws

> > > > which connects all levels you are fusing.

> Also,

> > > you

> > > > can do a discectomy and remove SOME bone spurs

> > > from

> > > > the back (posterior).

> > > >

> > > > Some docs prefer the posterior approach as

> they

> > > have

> > > > not learned the anterior approach or they are

> > > > uncomfortable with the anatomy in the neck.

> Also

> > > there

> > > > are different risks when you approach from the

> > > from

>

=== message truncated ===