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Spinal Stenosis & Spobndylolisthesis - Surgeons vs Pain doctors

Posted by lizann45 @lizann45, Oct 30, 2022

Hi, I have gotten 2 opinions for spinal surgeons and they both are saying decompression & fusion. I am trying to avoid major surgery. I have seen 2 pain doctors. One wanted to do Vertiflex but that will not help the slippage I have. I also have osteo of my spine. The 2nd pain doctor is suggesting the Minute Man procedure (which will help the slippage) or the Mild procedure. Has anyone had luck with either one of the procedures? Surgeons always say "thumbs down" on these non invasive procedures.
thanks, Linda K.

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virtuous69 | @virtuous69 | Nov 25, 2022
In reply to @anniemaggie "I had a surgeon tell me several years ago that if I had any major pain..." + (show)
@anniemaggie

I had a surgeon tell me several years ago that if I had any major pain to have spine i needed surgery asap. I saw a pain Dr where I am now living, & after many shots that didn't work he told me how back pain is so common & nothing can be done, at least for me. I had a friend who had unsuccessful back surgery that made her worse. I have found that OMT'S have saved me, & insurance pays. I get gentle version. I have had male or female DO Drs as the only ones trained to do this, not all DO Dr do this, so if you find one, you are lucky. They just lightly move my arms, legs, feet to help straighten pelvis, which is a problem for me, also to help on my neck usually takes 15 mins & I am wiped like having a massage. I go hope & sleep for a few hours.

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What is OMT and minute man surgery?

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lizann45 | @lizann45 | Nov 25, 2022
In reply to @virtuous69 "My spine doctor had offered me Intracept surgery in January. I have all the "S" problems..." + (show)
@virtuous69

My spine doctor had offered me Intracept surgery in January. I have all the "S" problems in my lower back. I use S to describe all the words besides stenosis that I can't spell. Any way the brochure and checking data thru the internet describes a different version of nerve abalation. Instead of burning the ends of nerves on the outside of the disc, the surgeon uses radio active Lazer type method going directly inside to the middle of the disc if I understand it correctly. He will hit S1 thru S5. Outpatient home same day...sore for about 10 days and succsss rate is about 79%. I've tried every non surgical method and at 74 I'm in horrific constant 24 hour pain relying on Norcal alternating with 1000 MG of tylenol. I'm not sure if this procedure is related to what you need, but I refuse and doc agrees not to have major back surgery, fusion etc. All my friends said that surgery did not work and caused more discs needing surgery. Try Google Intracept spine method and see if this applies to your needs. I'd prefer better success rate but I"m running out of options and willing to give it a try.

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I think I have heard of the Intracept procedure. I will read up on it. Don't think to many doctors do it here. And I think it is fairly new.

Lizann45

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jholland | @jholland | Nov 26, 2022

But does it fix the problem or just mask them?

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1 reply
mollyb1968 | @mollyb1968 | Nov 27, 2022

Anyone with experience on spinal cord stimulator?

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1 reply
lizann45 | @lizann45 | Dec 8, 2022

Lizann 45

I had epidurals approximately 3 weeks ago. felt great but they didn't last. My leg pain returned and is constant. Pain Dr is suggesting Mild procedure now. He is staying away from Minute Man procedure now as he says because of my osteoporosis of spine, he doesn't want to risk a fracture happening. Thoughts on having osteo and Vertiflex or minute man procedure having osteoporosis of spine?

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2 replies
BeBold | @bebold | May 15 10:30am
In reply to @mollyb1968 "Anyone with experience on spinal cord stimulator?" + (show)
@mollyb1968

Anyone with experience on spinal cord stimulator?

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I have never heard anyone say they helped in the long run but have read lots of problems - and I've mostly read about treating CRPS. Scar tissue issues esp.
Bit the things you read online are usually when they fail, not succeed. My BIL has one. He said at tje start it helped aboit 50%, now he's not sure at all. Except, like LDN, its not till you stop that you realize it WAS helping.

For me, its a hard no. Spero clinic treats many failed SCS patients. I remember one was an exploding battery. Eek. I've had 4 back surgeries and my entire lumbar spine is a mess. I say no to anything invasive as I also have CRPS, and injections can cause a spread. Or start CRPS in anyone. And nobody wants this added on.

I'm sure ypu can find lots here about them but I always remember things are tipped to the negative online. Rarely do people come to places like this if life is great?

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1 reply
BeBold | @bebold | May 15 10:33am
In reply to @jholland "But does it fix the problem or just mask them?" + (show)
@jholland

But does it fix the problem or just mask them?

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Doesn't fix anything. Glorified TENS unit. Distraction only in my mind.

I think zapping inside would drive me nuts. But that's nothing I've read. Just my imagination and knowing my body and mind sensitivity to weird sensations that would be semi-permanent?

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charlie92plus | @charlie92plus | May 16 10:15am

Apparently there are all kinds of back treatment available.
My case involves arthritis, spinal stenosis and ruptured discs. The epidermal injection treatment for my lower back pain had a very short relief period and I do not like the continued use of steroids.
So my primary care physician has suggested a combination of Hydrocodon (for severe pain), Gabapentin (moderate pain) and Tylenol (muscle pain) to use at my discretion when needed. I was told to avoid surgery by a specialist.
The careful use of this combination has reduced my dependence on the Hydrocodon and seems to be helping reduce my dependence on the opioid. Time will tell if this is a permanent solution. At age 93 I am less concerned about drug addiction than pain relief.

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vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | May 17 7:09am

I have an Abbott SCS implanted 2/2023. I have the Eterna, a smaller battery, and it is chargeable, about 5 times per year. It has helped. I too suffer from Spondyliothesis, and had spinal fusion at UCSF in 2014 L5-S1, however, the spondy returned and I have another lumber giving me heck. The SCS has helped. The Abbott SCS took 6 programs, but I wake up pain-free, and play hard at my sports at 69 years old. You have to be patient, as it isn't a one size fits all.

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Phil, Alumni Mentor | @upstatephil | May 17 9:17am
In reply to @charlie92plus "Apparently there are all kinds of back treatment available. My case involves arthritis, spinal stenosis and..." + (show)
@charlie92plus

Apparently there are all kinds of back treatment available.
My case involves arthritis, spinal stenosis and ruptured discs. The epidermal injection treatment for my lower back pain had a very short relief period and I do not like the continued use of steroids.
So my primary care physician has suggested a combination of Hydrocodon (for severe pain), Gabapentin (moderate pain) and Tylenol (muscle pain) to use at my discretion when needed. I was told to avoid surgery by a specialist.
The careful use of this combination has reduced my dependence on the Hydrocodon and seems to be helping reduce my dependence on the opioid. Time will tell if this is a permanent solution. At age 93 I am less concerned about drug addiction than pain relief.

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@charlie92plus - Good morning. Did your specialist (what kind of doctor and specialist?) explain why he suggested you avoid surgery?

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