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Familiar with "TOPS" spine surgery?

Spine Health | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (62)
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Profile picture for bussel @bussel

Hey,

I am a former principal and special education teacher that works with students that can become violent/aggressive. Over the 22 years of working with this population I have had 7 surgeries with 2 of them being fusions. 15 months ago a student attached my secretary and I threw her our of the way and took the full force of the attach from a large 18 year old. He has trashed the last 3 of my L vertebrae. I have had about 30+ injections in 12 months with little relief. I don’t take pain meds because they don't help and they make me sick. I heard about the TOPS procedure and would love anyone's feedback. This has affected my day to day life. It makes it difficult to take care of my wife who is in heart/kidney failure.

Bussel

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Replies to "Hey, I am a former principal and special education teacher that works with students that can..."
ou14mejc | @ou14mejc | May 18 9:36am

Sorry you are having such a rough time. I have an appointment scheduled tomorrow with a TOPS surgeon, so I'm anxious to hear what he says. The TOPS surgery is very specific as to who actually qualifies. Have you researched the qualifications to see if you are a candidate? I hope that you are because the recovery seems to be much easier. Good luck in finding a procedure that works for you.

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Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | May 19 10:20am

Hi @bussel - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. The job you've had sounds extremely admirable. I'm terribly sorry to hear you've also gotten injured working with this population over time.

I'm also sorry to hear about your wife's health.

I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others already talking about TOPS surgery and get their input on this procedure. Please meet @ou14mejc @day0718 @annie1 libertyusa @libertyusa and others here.

You mentioned your vertebrae injury has affected your day to day life and taking care of your wife. What motions or positions are you finding especially difficult?

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