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What helps spinal stenosis besides surgery?

Spine Health | Last Active: Sep 12 12:03am | Replies (167)

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@hat

I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to say "Thank you" for your reply. Right after I sent my original question, my husband fell off the bottom step and pulled his quad muscle in his leg and had to have surgery. I cancelled all my appointments in re to my spine issues until recently. I just had an appointment to review the results of the remaining tests. Now, I'm at the point of decision making and I'm more confused than ever! (I have severe cord compression of C5-6, moderate cord compression of C4-5 , disk bulging of C6-7, Disc collapse of C5-6 and C6-7, cervical spondylosis with myelopathy, and spinal stenosis of cervical region. Also, I have head tremors only when laying flat. (The tremors stop the very second when I sit up). With all of these issues, I still have absolutely no pain and am still pretty active and lucky to enjoy life at age 78. NOW my dilemma is - the surgeon is recommending surgery which will be a two-day surgery consisting of a corpectomy of C5- and C-6, with a C3-7 ACDF and PSF. After listing all the risks of having the surgery he also wrote that the patient understands that there is a risk that I could be no better, or I could be worse after surgery. He said if it was his mother he would recommend surgery, but he definitely could understand if I chose not to have the surgery. I have NO pain or other issues! If I didn't have the head tremors when laying down, I wouldn't even know any of this! He is planning on going through the front of my neck, staying at the hospital that night and the next morning going back to the operating room to go through the back of my neck to insert a rod and screws to stabilize the front surgery from the day before. ( The surgeon said must be done because my bones are thin.) Do you know what the recuperation would be? It just seems to me, if there is a risk of having surgery, and there is a risk of not having surgery I don't know what my answer should be!! Any recommendations would be wonderful!!

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Replies to "I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to say "Thank you" for..."

My Physical Therapist said that trying physical therapy first is the best thing. If nothing else, you are stronger, and the surgery goes better. Take just a little more time to do this. Also, investigate the allergic reactions people have from the rods--there are different types.

If you are NOT having pain with all your issues, why take a chance with surgery which can cause chronic pain and cause more problems. Their should be a med for tremors. Why subject yourself to surgery when you are active and have NO pain?