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Has anyone dealt successfully with Cervical stenosis without surgery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Feb 13 3:16pm | Replies (124)Comment receiving replies
I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all top rated. 4 wanted to 4 level acdf,1 wanted to do 7 level laminectomy. 1 said 4 level laminoplasty. 1 more said 7 posterior spacers n 2 level acdf. All above very bad choices. I finally found a world class endoscopic spine surgeon Dr Shen Latham NY also in NYC n new jersey. I did mbb injections in occipital nerves to relief headaches then did radio frequency ablation on both occipital nerves on left n right side that help headaches n pain between shoulder blades. 2 days ago Dr Shen did surgery in Amsterdam NY. He did a 4 level cervical endoscopic laminotomy and foraminotomy. No hardware or fusion. True minimal endoscopic spine surgery outpatient. No pain after surgery. Took pain medications 1 day. Now just taking Tylenol, Gabapentin, cellebrex, icing. No neck collar. Doing much better still sore. Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimal spine surgery there is .only a small percentage of spine doctors do this because of the years of training it takes. All above surgeries where invented in the late 50s all open surgery with fusion not good. Find a true endoscopic spine surgeon where you live or check Dr Shen Shen-Spine website or heathgrades or you tube. He cares about his patients. Send your mri disc and get a zoom appointment. He's the real deal. Good luck n God bless all people suffering from spine issues.
Replies to "I have severe cervical stenosis c3 to c7. I've been to 7 neurosurgeon/orthopedic spine surgeons all..."
@delos13 I recently joined this group and came across your post. Thank you for sharing your experience. I am meeting Dr Shen in NYC next week and hope he feels I am a good candidate for endoscopic cervical spine surgery. I had traditional, open lumbar spine surgery 4 years ago and am still struggling with the pain and limited mobility. I saw 2 surgeons, both recommended traditional surgery at multiple levels. After my previous experience I could not imagine ever having spine surgery again. I feel so lucky to have been introduced to endoscopic surgery and to get an appointment with an expert as Dr. Shen.
How are you feeling now? How is the pain level ? Are you continuing to need pain management or other treatment?
Please, anyone considering spine surgery, research endoscopic surgery for yourself. There are no guarantees, but arm yourself with all the information available and speak with a trusted physician before making a
decision. I will keep you posted on my journey.
@delos13 I am so happy to hear you had successful surgery. I also had cervical spine surgery with Dr Shen-amazing! I was so hesitant to go through another surgery after a traditional L4-L5 lumbar spinal fusion in 2021. I am still suffering with intense and sometimes debilitating pain. In fact, I am scheduled for another lumbar fusion with Dr Shen next month. That is how much confidence I have in him. I hope you continue to do well and return to a more comfortable life.
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Hi @delos13, I looked up Dr Shen and I *love* what I see. This is the doctor I have been looking for! I as well suffer from stenosis & osteophytes from C4-C7 and have delayed surgery as much as I can because I cannot fathom having fusion or disc replacement of my cervical spine (which is what my HCP recommended 4 years ago). Can you please share an update on your recovery now that it's been about a month since your surgery? And thank you again for sharing your story and findings!