Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Neurology (Expert Forum)
Spondylolisthesis and Surgery
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
Spondylolisthesis and Surgery
by DarcyFL, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
I have had back and leg pain for 8 years and a year ago, I was finally diagnosed with Class I Spondylolisthesis, Herniated discs of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 with possible pars defect by an Orthopedic Specialist. I have been through a back brace, steriod shots, therapy and the procedure of deadening the facet joint nerves (lower back pain relief lasted less than 6 months). Non of these approaches have been successful and now I am losing bladder control. I am scheduled to return to the Orthopedic Surgeon at the end of January to discuss my options, etc. I will request a second opinion if surgery is needed, just because this is my spine. Here are my questions: Should my second opinion come from a Orthopedic Surgeon or a Nuerological Surgeon? Should I request both to perform the operation or is that being too paronoid? And last, has the artificial disc been approved in the US and if so would it do me any good?
Thanks, DarcyFL
Thanks, DarcyFL
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Dec 12, 2001 12:00AM
The loss of bladder control is concerning. If it is truly due to your herniated discs (as determined by a physician), then it's time for surgery. You should definitely see a surgeon, but you should NOT need both an ortho and a neurosurgeon (NSG) for your operation. We tend to refer all of our spine cases to our neurosurgeons, but I'm sure there are excellent orthopedists out there who do these surgeries all the time. Call your orthopedist's office and tell them that you are having bladder problems, which may warrant an earlier appointment. As for the artificial disc, they have been used in the U.S., but there is not enough clinical evidence that it is superior or equal to traditional spine surgery. If you already have an orthopedist, consider getting your second opinion from a neurosurgeon. If you are in the Cleveland area, Dr. Ed Benzel is one of the best spine surgeons in the country. Dr. Kalfas is also a good spine doc. (both are NSGY)
Good luck.
Good luck.
I came here today looking for a friend, information about radiofrequency denerving, as she has been disabled for 6 years and is looking at a long trip in the winter to the best specialist in the world in Switzerland for this process. I see you had that done? She is really worried, and can not find much information on this subject. [she lives in Norway] Do you have any suggestions for her? Thank you so much, and good luck to you.
This procedure only helped with the facet joint nerves and doesn't do anything for the herniated disc pain. So I was still in some pain while it was in effect, but nothing like before or now.
Tell your friend good luck and it is worth a try! My doctor here was great! I really liked him and he does this kind of stuff all day long so is quite good at it.
And thank you CCF-neuro-MD for the good info also. This is a great site. I will be back.
Thank you very much,
Marisela