Re: Ruptured disc

Posted By ccf neuro M.D. on April 28, 1997 at 22:52:45:

In Reply to: Ruptured disc posted by Jeanie Byrd on April 24, 1997 at 02:56:42:







: My son had part of a ruptured disc removed last august.
There were fragments that went into his siatica nerve
leaving his left leg with excruciating pain and numbness
It was in the L5 disc. Then in april he just got out of
bed and stretched and his back "snapped" and a sharp pain
went back down his left leg. The result was a return of
the numbness and pain . His orthopedic surgeon is sending
him to a neurosurgeon. What I am wanting to know is what
options are out there for him? The cat scan shows that
the part of the disc that was left has re-ruptured and
fragmented back into the siatica nerve again.



=
Migration of fragmented disc material after herniation of a disk is one of the so-called "hard" or definite indications for surgical intervention as opposed to conservative treatment such as physical therapy. I think the referral to a neurosurgeon specifically was very wise, as these cases, particularly in the setting of reoperation where there is scar tissue, can be quite delicate. The neurosurgeon will obviously remove the disc fragment, and may want to remove the rest of the entire disk as well, particularly if it has ruptured AND fragmented twice. A disk is like a tube of toothpaste--- it can keep squirting out disk materail every time you press on it, and once its out, it can't go back in!! If you are near Cleveland, the Cleveland Clinic does have an excellent spinal neurosurgeon, Dr. Ian Kalfas. The appointment number for the deaprtment of neurosurgery is 216-444-5672 (or 1-800-223-2273 ext. 45672). He would be happy to see your son and review the specific risks, benefits, and alternatives for therapy
if you choose to see him.