SPINAL SURGERY

[LYNNCCRN]

Looking like DH will need it - 2 herniated disks plus stenosis. Neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon - any suggestions? We're in WY for the winter & thinking maybe of Salt Lake City. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[daireemt]

Personal experience.......go with the neurosurgeon. Worked 100% for me.

[Jerrybo66]

emzee wrote:
darsben, did you know about medicare before your wife had the treatment? I wonder why they wouldn't cover out patient procedures as it would be cheaper for them?

The way I understood it, when entering the "doctors office" was like entering an expensive resort. They catered to the rich who didn't care about insurance coverage. They showed luxury "waiting rooms" and free lunch, catering to the wealthy. Insurance wouldn't cover these frills so they didn't even try to get coverage. Medicare paid for the operation, the extra $18,900 was for frills. Total bill for an hour operation, $54,000 . They do four a day.. Pretty good day's work. As per credition, some claims aren't as per reliable.
As I ask, it's hard to find a competent medical profession
In my opinion. Am still learning which "doctors" are safe and which are otherwise..

[Jerrybo66]

darsben wrote:
Please before you commit to anything call A place that does minimally invasive spinal surgery.
Laser Spine institute in Scottsdale did my wife and it improved her life dramatically. Down time was one day. Problem is that Laser Spine cannot be reimbursed by medicare because they do it as an outpatient and medicare will only pay for inpatient Laser surgery. Out of pocket was about $17,000 for us.
There are places that do it as an inpatient but I know of non near you.
If you want to discuss our experiences with the surgery PM me.

We went through their introductory pitch and were ready to sign up , $18900.00, but because of all the negative responsive, were convinced of a high pressure scam. "As seen on TV does not show quality. ..Right or wrong, the negatives were more than we felt comfortable with. Glad you were one of those who had a positive outcome.

[Roy_Lynne]

Think about it really hard and then think more. Get a second opinion and ask the doctor as many questions as you can. Back surgery is one of those 333 issues. Success rate is about 30%, then there is 30% it will not work and there will be no change, the last 30% is it will do more damage than there was. Make it the last choice. Try going to a doctor that specializes in pain as they do wonders.
Do your own survey, if your on facebook ask folks their experiences. I have two friends who are completely disabled after surgery and wish they had not done it.

[emzee]

darsben, did you know about medicare before your wife had the treatment? I wonder why they wouldn't cover out patient procedures as it would be cheaper for them?

[darsben]

Please before you commit to anything call A place that does minimally invasive spinal surgery.
Laser Spine institute in Scottsdale did my wife and it improved her life dramatically. Down time was one day. Problem is that Laser Spine cannot be reimbursed by medicare because they do it as an outpatient and medicare will only pay for inpatient Laser surgery. Out of pocket was about $17,000 for us.

There are places that do it as an inpatient but I know of non near you.

If you want to discuss our experiences with the surgery PM me.

[generaljean]

My 70 yr old husband hurt his back June 3 putting new windows in the house and could barely walk with similar symptoms you described. MRI indicated disk bulge at the L4-5 and Spondylolysis at L5-S1. Our doctor recommended physical therapy and said 80% of the time it will get better on it's own with therapy & rest and that surgery wasn't always the solution.

Hubby thought this can't work, but went anyway. He was amazed at how much better he felt after a week and was able to get rid of the walker he was using after the month was up. He did the therapy for 1 month and decided he could do the rest of the exercises they gave him at home. After 4 months now, he is pretty good, except when he tries to lift things too heavy and strains his back, then it takes him 3/4 days to get back in shape.

[Old-Biscuit]

I had two herniated discs which caused pressure on the spinal column....which resulted in pain down left leg and numbness in calf & foot.

Put off surgery for years. Finally went to a neurosurgeon!!!

Bandaid/10 stitches......removed the bugling areas on discs and removed some bone/reamed area around swollen nerve.
I had been putting up with the pain for so long I forgot what it was like to feel so good.

Salt Lake City has some top notch hospitals/surgeons.
Get referrals then check them out
Here is one resource for checking out neurosurgeons........LINK

[rvten]

How far do you want to travel?
I have a greet neurosurgeon in Nashville. This is all his team does. Spinal and brain surgery.

[blackeyed1]

Maybe a neurosurgeon? I fell off a ladder in 2009 and crushed the L2 vertebrae into pieces. Did vertebreplasty (sp), fusion and pedicle screws. This was in Illinois. Had an excellent neurosurgeon. Shop around, research, more research, referrals. Knew two other friends that ended up worse off. One almost died due to poor surgery/surgeon. I am walking and getting around. Do alot of research before you decide.