@cat22

I had a structural spine problem clearly evident on MRI and x-rays, and I had consulted 5 spine surgeons locally, and they all missed connecting my crazy pain symptoms to my imaging. They could all read the imaging, but didn't understand the problem. I had also been evaluated by neurologists who demonstrated altered nerve conduction speed with their testing. I went from doctor to doctor for 2 years before I came to Mayo, and none would help. I also have thoracic outlet syndrome that confuses the issue with similar overlapping symptoms. Mayo is one of the few places that treats TOS, and they also evaluated it when I was seen there.

It's common that a spine surgeon will not schedule an appointment without first reviewing imaging that demonstrates a need for possible surgery. In my case, I found some medical literature with a similar case that seemed to explain the problem. I contacted Mayo, and when I sent my imaging to them, I wrote a letter explaining the symptoms and I sent the medical literature in saying I thought my case was like this. I found that literature because of looking at a Mayo surgeon's profile and reading his literature. When I looked up a term in his paper online, I found the other study with a case like mine. I knew I had found a surgeon who would understand my symptoms, so I asked that he review my case. He took me as a patient and I had spine surgery at Mayo.

What type of orthopedic consult were you seeking for what symptoms? Is this a new condition that hasn't been assessed by other doctors?