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Familiar with "TOPS" spine surgery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jul 6 7:30am | Replies (73)Comment receiving replies
@loriesco
How do you know when you have permanent nerve damage? I'm worried about that because I've had stenosis for 7 years and I did have a decompression surgery that only worked for 2 months literally. Now they say I need fusion there's one surgeon who is saying he thinks I could have the tops procedure. Where did you have your surgery done if I might ask since you feel very positive about your surgeon? Thank you and I definitely would like to know how the doctors can tell if you have permanent nerve damage. But your surgery helped I'm assuming?
Replies to "@loriesco How do you know when you have permanent nerve damage? I'm worried about that because..."
@annie1 YES, 100% on my surgery. Its not an exact science tho -- you have to have a surgeon who assesses properly. I think most people who have decompression at L3, 4, 5 need fusion. Because it absorbs the most weight. My nerves were flattened. Thats how they tell what you need and whether you might have permanent damage. Also because I suffered with the compression for YEARS. They can't fix that 100%. So I knew going into it. But I would have lost use of my legs entirely. I am no coward but the neurosurgeon was a wimp and he wouldn't do the surgery. It was his fault that I have the permanent damage. But the surgeries were not all good in the earlier years so ----- I am lucky and blessed.
I probably needed more than L3 - L5 -- 8 years ago. but I was working and bending in extreme positions. Now, 8 years later I am probably looking at having surgery on the adjacent vertebrae. The adjacent vertebrae are pressing and collapsing. But that is life and we made the decision together. Dr. Zlomislec at UC Health here in San Diego. ANYONE in the Orthopedic department is top drawer and they work as a team.
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@annie1 One of the ways you can tell if you have permanent damage in lumbar spine is when you lose control of your bowels and bladder. I'm sure there are other signs as well, but my doctors always ask me if it's a problem when I have appointments. I understand if that happens, you should get medical help immediately.