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Foraminotomy: Anyone have any experience with this procedure?
Hi my Surgeron is recommendations are for a foraminotomy has any one had experience positive or negative to this procedure?
Raymond
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Yes. I had it in neck area and no fusion. I came out of it with mild nerve damage from the fact they had to slightly shift some nerves aside in order to do the foraminotomy.
Thanks for this ! I will send it. There is a procedure I have heard about called Discseel that you pay out of pocket for but it seems to work for some people. Have you heard of it ?
I hadn't heard of Discseel. I appreciate the information.
Annulogram seems like an advancement over the older discogram and microdiscectomy.
The older procedure would inject enough die in the center of the disc to create pressure on the disc. They would use floroscopy to see how far the die/disc fluid would flow. It was quite painful as in if you didn't scream it wasn't the disc causing your pain.
An annulogram is said to be painless. But the next part of the discseel procedure also seems preferrable. Instead of using heat (thermomodulation) to seal the disc, discseel uses fibrin.
Microdisectomy removes the extruded portion of the disc with minimally invasive surgery. It is usually covered by insurance.
Discseel is covered by Medicare and may now be covered by your insurance.
@irr4jet
What levels did you have done and what nerve damage do you have? How did you know officially you had nerve damage and which nerves were affected? Were they able to test and confirm nerve damage and is it permanent or can the nerves recover?
I have had two fusions, the first at L4-5, then 2 years later a revision removing those screws then an L5-S1 fusion. I had osteoporosis in my spine and osteopenia in hips and neck. After my first dexa bone scan the doctor suggested taking 2 D3+K vitamins along with magnesium, coQ10, turmeric and other supplements, two years later, my dexa bone scan showed my spine number had improved to severe osteopenia. I did improve my diet as well, did some walking.
I am not able to walk much now, as my neck needs help, my stenosis and other issues are really hurting.
But don’t think you can’t get help! I had my surgery at Mayo, and specifically asked if osteoporosis would prevent me from having surgery. They said no. But everyone needs to get a professional opinion as we are all different.
I was nervous about having a fusion too.
I wish you the best!
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1 ReactionWhat is coQ10 ? It sounds like you still have pain after the fusion though, right ?
In 2007, I had “minimally invasive microneuro” surgery at Allegheny Hosp by Dr Hae Dong Jo, neuro surgeon now retired but I’ve heard he trained his son who is also a neuro surgeon, to do this type of surgery on the neck nerves. (I am now 73). Be sure your blood clots well if u decide to have this surgery. Mine did not because I ate Salmon frequently in late 2006 and early 2007. It has omega 3 oil which slows clotting time. Be sure you get off of any omega 3 fish oil and baby aspirin long before surgery. Quercetin supplement also slows clotting time.
He operated at my left C 4/5 and 5/6 to remove bone spurs that were impinging sl on the nerves coming out of the spine in those two spaces. Plus he had to scrape out a stenosis area. My excessive bleeding made it very hard for him to see, even though the assistant suctioned constantly. I’m not sure how the nerve damage happened. It was probably bc my surgery took four hours instead of two bc of the bleeding. Nerves should not be touched or stretched if at all possible. I could not move my left arm for a few days afterward but a Physical Therapist began to wk with it and within 6 wks I had full use of it. It did ache, burn and sting a lot and two fingers of left hand are to this day about 40% numb but it doesn’t present any problems. I did have a nerve conduction study done 9 mos later on my left arm by a neurologist in my hometown which confirmed that I had mild nerve damage. I was developing Fibromyalgia during that yr but didn’t realize it. Four years later (2011) I started taking 25 mgs twice a day of Lyrica for two yrs then dr increased me to 50 mgs twice a day for four years (because pain would break through). Then I had to increase to 75 mgs twice a day for about three yrs. Now I’m on 75 mgs three times a day plus medical cannabis and one Tylenol tablet at bedtime. I’ve stayed at this dosage. Lyrica only helps nerve pain. I couldn’t make it without Lyrica reliving my nerve pain. Stay off of sugar, vinegar, msg, caffiene, hot pepper, chocolate, citric acid and high and medium histamine foods such as strawberries, avocado, raspberries and bananas. All these foods really increase pain badly. Pain grows each yr when it’s not kept under control. Don’t take any opioids. Live in a state where you can get on medical cannabis. Chronic pain causes elevated cortisol which interferes with sleep alot, runs down the adrenal glands which at same time causes very low BP. And constant cortisol ages us fast.
Cold weather really makes Fibro ppl hurt so much worse do I go to west coast of Fl for the winter mos. I know I’ve given
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6 ReactionsYes my nerve damage is permanent. It did get some better over ten yrs following surgery, but after that it stayed the same.
Wow, thanks for the info. I have lumbar stenosis and already had decompression. I confess I do drink coffee with 1 sugar, and I have been taking Oxycodone. I was on Lyrica for many years and it wasn't doing anything. I limit myself to one cup of coffee a day, well maybe one and a half sometimes.
I'm interested in the supplements you are taking. Is the tumeric in pill form? Did your Mayo doc suggest these supplements? That is so good that you slowed/reversed your osteoporosis!
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