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Replies to "Hi thanks for replying. I saw a USC Keck surgeon (he did a friend of a..."
Spine Health | Last Active: Feb 7, 2023 | Replies (6)
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Hi thanks for replying. I saw a USC Keck surgeon (he did a friend of a friend, he was listed in Beckers and I have read his publications ) a few weeks ago. Same response - “you will know when it’s time - when your pain stops being an annoyance and starts interfering with your life.” He specializes in spine only and also referred me to a USC endocrinologist to discuss the osteopenia issues. He would definitely want me on some bone med before surgery. He also wrote a PT order. So I’m thinking that I’ll stick with him if/when I think I need surgery but in the meantime I am trying to avoid it and I’m beating the bushes for info. Am in the middle of Stuart McGill’s book “Back Mechanic.”
Replies to "Hi thanks for replying. I saw a USC Keck surgeon (he did a friend of a..."
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@marlenec Twocoastsm, I have heard other patients mention the "Back Mechanic" book. Does it provide useful information in understanding your situation? I probably read a similar book called, "Back in Control" by David Handscom who is a spine surgeon who himself became a spine surgery patient. You can find his information at https://backincontrol.com/
I heard the same response that I will know when it's time. I actually knew it was time long before several surgeons did and they were not listening to me, so that is why I came to Mayo.
With spine surgery, it is best to get at least a second if not several opinions from qualified spine surgeons. Most doctors will recommend that and understand the value in it. If you don't need to have surgery this year, you could possibly expand your choices in surgeons if you signed up for real Medicare and a Medigap supplement insurance that is accepted nationwide. That combination works for the main Mayo campus in Rochester which is why I made that choice when leaving employer group health insurance after calling the Mayo billing office to ask that question. It's best to ask the billing office for the surgeon too since that can change, and could be different next year for a particular doctor for what insurance they will accept. Spine surgery is way too expensive to pay out of pocket. You need a surgeon in network with your insurance plan.
You do have time now to look into building bone so you can be ready for spine surgery when that time comes. That is wonderful that you have been refereed to an endocrinologist. Poor bone quality is not good for spine issues. My elderly mom had a parathyroid problem that was pulling calcium out of her bones and it caused severe osteoporosis. This resulted in her foot fracturing when she was standing, and causing a fall which broke her pelvis, then a 3 month rehab. A few years later, she had a spontaneous spinal compression fracture which has now healed but caused a curvature that shouldn't be there. She isn't a spine surgery candidate. She does see an endocrinologist who specializes in bone loss and has been on Evenity injections monthly.
You might find discussions helpful in the Osteoporosis Group.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/osteoporosis/Your surgeon does sound like a good guy, and PT is great for building strength and better posture alignment to support the spine. Please keep in touch with how you are doing.
Jennifer