Cervical Stenosis

Good morning Ole T.

It appears you have the correct questions in mind. It can be extremely frustrating to hear different things from different docs. Who is right? My advice is to keep digging and getting opinions and talking to folks (like on this bulletin board) until you feel you understand your risks of: surgery vs. not-surgery. Often the choice is less than perfectly clear!

For example - If some docs say you need surgery and some say you don't - what you should ultimately do is unclear. In my case - I deferred surgery for decades until the combination of a physiatrist plus a neurosurgeon plus my growing physical discomfort said (both highly qualified and using the very best diagnostic equipment) if I deferred much longer I was risking permanent nerve damage. That got my attention and the risk scale tipped decisively toward "surgery".

I did my surgeries at Mayo JAX. My medical insurance combination was fine with them and I can't recall any insurance issues...One thing to consider: There can be several reasons an insurance company might decline to cover a procedure. (1) They might not be convinced the procedure is necessary. You should contact them directly (get a big cup of coffee first - it's usually not a quick call) and ask exactly why they won't pay. They have to tell you. (2) Sometimes insurance companies and medical providers get crossed up and the insurance company can conclude "we can't do business with them". Along those lines. Again - contact the insurer and grill them. You have no other choice than to be your own best and aggressive advocate. I can absolutely remember situations where it took multiple "no's" before getting to "yes".

Have you directly discussed your case with the medical insurance company?

Hello upstate Phil and Jennifer,
I’m reading this and wanted to ask you who did your surgery at Mayo Jax? I see Jennifer is so complimentary of her surgeon in Mayo Rochester. I had lumbar surgery in Jacksonville, but I’m not sure the same doctor is the best for the neck.
My neurologist last visit told me for the third time to contact them for a review of my MRI results from 2022.
My lumbar pain was the most important issue then, now it’s been addressed.

I had Stephen Pirris. He is a neurosurgeon and I had long ago decided I'd prefer a neuro over ortho due to how prominently spinal nerves figure in any spine surgery. I used Dr. Pirris for both cervical and lumbar surgeries and feel he was right for both.

I had ADR last Aug. C5-7 It went well, but the pain never went away. It has now gotten much worse. It has zlso involved my shoulders and arms with weakness. A month ago, my unxteady gait came back. It is so frustrating!

Could you tell us more about the ultra sonic deivice?