Broken Disc

My son was told by an orthopedic spine surgeon that he needs spine surgery.  Let me see how to explain in my terms.  He was told one of his discs in his neck is broken in three places and has gone into the spine - The surgery the doctor says is necessary is disc fusion - My son thought he heard the doctor say if he had the surgery or if he didn't there's a chance of being paralyzed - he has bad pain on his left shoulder, arm, and tingling in his fingers.  What is the success rate of this surgery?  What about the paralysis?  We are very scared about this.  The injury was because of someone "jumping on his back" several years ago.  

[namnam46]

Hi joiemc,

I'm so very sorry about your son. What a horrible thing to have happen to him. I know how frightening the prognosis is.

I too am from the Phoenix area, I live in Anthem, I have no idea about the success rate of the surgery, but I would definitely get a second opinion immediately and third  if you feel it necessary and find out what each one thinks and try to get the success rate from the surgeons because they should know.

Is there any way that your son would allow you to go with him to the Dr.s with him?  I know that he is a grown man but you being a mom maybe he might let you then you could get the information first hand and might be able to ask some questions also. If not would he let you talk with the Dr. because there's every chance that he didn't hear him correctly. Also, if he went by himself the first time I guarantee you that there is SOOO much to take in when they are telling you things that he missed some of the things that were said.

Best of luck to you and I hope that you will keep us informed as to what happens.

You are in my thoughts. Sending you HUGS from one Mom to another Mom....Sherry

[Kalvin]

From your description, it’s hard to tell if the disc fragment your son has is impinging on the spinal cord or is what they call a free floating fragment. Either way, it’s very important that they get in there and take care of it, because the fragment can bruise or tear the spinal cord tissue, which can lead to chronic pain and possibly permanent disability. If his diagnosis is correct, this is not an elective surgery. It is something that has to be done, and the sooner, the better.

The success rates for cervical fusions are pretty good, especially if he doesn’t have any thing else wrong with his neck. I’m pretty sure your Son heard the Doctor correctly about the danger of paralysis. Again, assuming the diagnosis is correct, if the fragment is left in the spinal canal, it’s possible he could become paralyzed, that’s why it’s so important that the surgery be done.

And the other instance is that whenever Doctors offer a surgical procedure to a patient, and there is even a remote possibility that the spinal cord become damaged resulting in paralysis, the Doctors have to tell you. The chances of this happening are very slim, but like I said before, they have to tell you. My Surgeons told me the same thing before my spinal surgeries, and I’m pretty sure they tell most people. So don’t let that confuse you. Those statements don’t mean the same thing, and the Doctor should have clarified that for him.

If you have serious doubts about him having surgery, get a couple other opinions. However, if the diagnosis is correct, he needs to have it done. The procedure the Doctors want to do carries risks, just all surgeries, but I wouldn’t characterize it as overly dangerous.

Take Care