Ruptured T12 Disc

I am looking for some help, I have ruptured my T12 disc and have 8 bulging.  I have allot of pain from my T12 and have tried therapy and injections. Nothing seems to help, I am on allot of medication and have quit my job and turned my life upside down.  The surgery scares me and not many doctors have performed this...pleas help.

[kittyluv1]

Sorry for the delay -- I was out of town for the Easter holiday.
Could you please post the clinical findings from your most recent MRI or CT?
If you have done this previously, I don't have access to it now.  It might help me get a clearer picture of your spinal abnormalities.
What is the specific surgery the doctor is recommending?  Is it scheduled?
I'll be waiting for your response ----

[Scubby]

Thank you Kitty,

This is my MRI results as of 8/25/08

Any help you can give would be great.  I have not scheduled surgery because the doctors here have not done many of these and Im scared to death about going through the front and moving organs.   I dont recall the name of the surgery.  I'm just trying to deal with the pain and am not doing a very good job.


T12-l1 Right paracentral disc extrusion is similar in size 11 x 6mm in transverse dimension. There is a similar degree of mass effect on the cord and thecal sac.  Cord is deviated to the left and posteriorly.

L1/2 - normal
L2/3 -Mild Facet osteoarthritis
L3/4 " '
L4/5Mild Facer osteoarthriiswith increased fluid in bothfacet joints.  Small synovial cyst evident posterior to the facet joints.  Minimal disc bulge with slight effacement of the anterior thecal sac
L5/S1 Mild to moderate facet osteoarthritis.  No focal disc abnormality.

Impression:  
1. Multi level degenrative disc in lumbar spine without high grade neural foraminal or central canal narrowing.
2. Right paracentral disc extruion at T12 - L1 with continuing to demonstrate mild mass effect on the cors.

[kittyluv1]

Thank you!
Your MRI was done over a year ago and I suspect there are probably interval changes with increasing evidence of degenerative disc disease with nerve involvement in the thoracic spine,  The lumbar spine has some mild degenerative changes, primarily in the facets (connectors of the vertebrae) showing arthritis.  No specific nerve involvement is identified at the lumbar level.
If the symptoms you have been experiencing have not been alleviated with the conservative treatment to date, surgery is probably the best option for you.
While thoracic surgery is not done as frequently as cervical or lumbar surgeries, the skilled neurosurgeon would be able to perform this procedure aided by fluoroscopy and
x-ray guidance during surgery.  The surgery is being done to remove the compression effect the disc herniation is having directly on your spinal cord.  If the spinal cord remains compressed you are at risk for permanent neurological changes that can not be reversed.
While it is very normal to have fear and anxiety regarding any surgery, the fact that it will involve probing near the spinal cord only magnifies these responses.  Remember that during surgery your spinal cord is monitored very carefully by a skilled technician using special wires to be sure that no accidental exposure of the cord occurs.  The covering of the spinal cord  can be visualized under microscope (normal for any spinal surgery) and the risk of harm is very small.  Without surgery the harm can be much greater from damage to the spinal cord due to severe compression.
When you have the name of the specific surgery the doctor is recommending, please post and I will try and assist you further.
As a recent cervical spine surgery recipient, I can surely empathize.  I'll be keeping you in my thoughts.

[Scubby]

Thank you so much, your thoughts have helped me move to looking closer at the surgery.  I will let you know when  I choose one..How do I know how skilled a surgeon is?  Is there a website?

I dont know who you are but I have comfort from you...starnge I know, you must be guided from the man upstairs and god bless you.

[kittyluv1]

The only information regarding skill levels usually resides within the practitioner himself!
Generally the more frequently someone performs a procedure the greater his skill level should be.  I would also rely on his "bedside manner" and how comfortable you are with his communication skills.  He should be willing to discuss all your questions and provide an opportunity for you to vent your anxiety and offer support,
It is a very personal feeling --- I found my neurosurgeon to be a bit reserved on my initial visit, but subsequently I have found him to be very concerned and willing to spend a lot of time reviewing treatment options etc.  And he did prove to be an excellent surgeon!

Thanks for the compliments ---  as a fusion patient with a successful outcome, I find it very rewarding to offer assistance to anyone facing this type of surgery.  I'm glad to hear that I have helped.

[MontanaGurl]

I had a T12 burst and injuries to my Lumbar vertebra during my motorcycle accident in October 2008.  I was flown from my small town hospital to a trauma center in my state but, when they looked at my injuries they said that I needed a major trauma center and they took me by jet to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.  I am not sure what state you are in but, I was told that Harborview was a leader and a top facility for my injuries to not only my back but my pelvis as well.  I would be more than happy to share my surgeon's information - his phone number, address, name and website.  If you would like them - PM me.  On the website there is alot of information in terms that a normal person can understand on the types of injuries that you have and that I have.  I had a wonderful experience at this hospital, considering everything that I was going through, they were wonderful to me.  I can also share the information on the company that we chartered with to bring me back home.  What I mean by this is that after my surgeries were completed and I was out of the woods so to say, I needed to come home - obviously :-) and it was to far a drive for me to ride in an ambulance and riding in a car was out of the question also.  So, Harborview helped us find the air plane company I am talking about.  And, when I was ready to be released we chartered a jet, it is actually an air ambulance, and comes complete with 2 highly trained and qualified nurses who accompanied me back home and administered any pain meds that I needed to stay comfy during the flight.  My husband even got to fly back with me.  They brought me back to Montana and I than spent a month in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.  
So, anywho, if you are wanting that information - I will provide that to you.  If nothing else it will give you another avenue for educating yourself.  Our insurance paid for the flight back to Montana.  They were really wonderful!
til later.    montanagurl