spinal fusion

[susie495]

I have severe degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 and L5 - S1.  All conservative treatments have failed.  I had a minidiscectomy about 10 years ago for herniated discs in those locations which was successful.  I have had S1 radiculopathy for the past 2 and 1/2 years.  The neurosurgeon recommends spinal fusions at both levels.  After questioning him re MIS, he didn't think i was a candidate as it involved 2 discs and i had a previous surgery.  I am going to an orthopedic surgeon soon for a second opinion.  How does one decide to use a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon for this procedure, and is it the right option.  I am not a smoker, nor overweight.

[ljlu]

I was diagnosed with this also and got 5 opinions. Two told me to "Go home and pick out my wheelchair"..( rude), and one wanted to help me with the two fractures in my neck that cause headaches, but insurance refused to allow him to help me.
A dear friend of mine was an excellent chiropractor, he died unfortunately, but he always said, "The power that created the body will heal the body, it needs no intervention only time to heal'. ( God knows I miss him now that I have been dx'ed with Osteoporosis too and degenerated disks).
I have found excersize, walking and lifting weights helps the muscles support the bones, and keeping weight off too. The more medication they gave me the more side effects and misery I endured.Finally, I threw out the poisons ( medications) and began to walk daily, eat better, finding an MD I can trust is hard for me, but in the end, they are human and make mistakes and they are ""M.D's...all they know is drugs and surgeries I finally settled for just taking pain medication for when it is really bad and this is all I take now, and I feel as OK as I think I can. To me, I have noticed it's all about insurance and what the insurance will allow the MD to do, and also 'what he knows how to do" I have 6 disks sitting on my spine and no disk is left, both hips are shot in the joints and I  have two fractures in my neck. I will myself to get up every day, if I sleep at all. The one thing I want to share is, 'Just because a person is an MD doesn't mean they have all the answers and they will only do what 'they can"..get as many opinions as you feel you want to, TRUST YOUR GUTS! Also, don't seek out other opinions in the same area, Md's know each other in the same state and almost never contradict each other, (never). I found going over the line to the next state gave me an entirely new way to go. Good luck to you..

[opus88]

sorry for the pain and failed attempts..that is most frustrating for all of us to hear!
I suffer from similar pain and haven't attempted any surgery thus far, I survive on pain meds.
In my own opinion if I were to attempt surgery on such a sensitive area as the spine I would have it done by a neurosurgeon who specializes in the nervous system and not only the bones...
good luck