Spinal stenosisi

[aa262]

I was in a car accident several years and suffered spinal cord
compression from c3-c6 and was diagnosed with stenosis The
pain has been getting worse and there has been an increasing
neurological deficit

After years of going to doctors that only remedy I have been offered
is a laminoplasty It that a good route Will that relieve the pain The
surgeon gives it a 85 percent chance The pain management doctors
gives it far lower odds

Any suggestion

[Kalvin]

You're in tough spot, and I sympathize. Doesn't sound like your quality of life is that great at this point, but you're worried that the surgery might make you worse. I can understand that, you also have different Doctors telling you different things, I imagine it must be very confusing.

You might want to try getting a couple other opinions, just to see what they say. As far as your Surgeon thinking things aren't that bad for you, you can't win with this pain business. If you complain all the time, they call you a hypochondriac, if you try to get on with your life and don't complain enough, they think nothings wrong with you.


Take Care and Good Luck

[aa262]

It appears that the stenosis is from a combination of herniation sondylosis
and disk compression

Getting a clear answer from the doctors is tough because most of the time
I see the  PA For the first few years I though the problem was the disk herniations
until I finally found a doctor who got a clear MRI done and he showed me
just how narrowed the spinal canal was

There is a gradual neurological deficit starting I wake up in the morning and both
hands are numb Things are getting worse

The pain seems to be getting worse Some days the pain is breakthrough and I
go home early from work The surgeon told me the success rate is 85 percent
and the pain doctor told me one third of his patients who have surgery get better
one third stay the same and one third get worse It is becoming a a quality of life issue

The surgeon seems to think because I am working things can not be that bad


The fog as a result of the pain meds is another issue

[Kalvin]

Laminoplasty is a reasonable option, is your stenosis from spondylosis or a  disc herniation? Any surgery is a gamble, particularly when dealing with pain.

What do your Pain Doctors think you should do, just continue to be maintained for the rest of your life? This is a decision that only you can make, indications are generally.

1. Are there neurological considerations, are they getting worse?

2. Is your pain Incapacitating, is it being managed to your satisfaction? Do you see yourself living they way you    are now for the rest of your life?

You really have to weigh your options, most of us that have had surgeries have learned the hard way, that these procedures generally don't take a way all your pain. If you go into it thinking it will, your going to be very disappointed. When dealing with severe pain, many of us will take a 50 - 70% reduction in pain over staying the way we are.If your concerned about the necessity or safety of having this procedure, get another opinion or two to ease your mind.


Good Luck with whatever you decide.