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Spinal Cord Stimulation for chronic back pain
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 13 4:38pm | Replies (57)Comment receiving replies
I was recently diagnosed with moderate cervical spinal stenosis at C5-C6. My whole spine is full of arthritis with neuroforminal stenosis, disc bulges, osteophytes, etc. I went to a neurosurgeon for low back pain and discovered that all the falling and concussions aren't because of having Meinere's Disease, which I presumed. After a MRI of my cervical spine, the surgeon explained that my lack of balance, falling, lack of gripping with my hands, abnormal hand and arm reflexes, and more is because the arthritis is so bad it is squeezing my spinal cord and causing all the issues I have had for six or so years. He said I needed surgery asap. That freaked me out. The whole thing freaks me out. I see it as a lose, lose situation. If I don't have surgery to replace the vertebrae, I will get worse until I am paralyzed from the neck down. If I have the surgery, there is a less than 1% chance of something going wrong and I end up paralyzed from surgery. Small chance, but it is a chance. I have a reprieve until August. Meanwhile, my neck is hurting, and I have a headache that feels like my brain is going to explode with trouble seeing with my glasses on. This is a relatively new symptom. I just had my annual eye exam and an endoscopy. All the problems can be attributed to the spinal stenosis at C5/C6. What's a person supposed to do?
Replies to "I was recently diagnosed with moderate cervical spinal stenosis at C5-C6. My whole spine is full..."
1% is a VRY small chance of something going wrong during surgery. I would go with the surgery in a heartbeat,
12 years ago I had my 4th back surgery. My back was broken and completely rebuilt. This surgery was pro for med by Dr. Christopher I Shaffrey a head neurosurgeon at UVA in Virginia. No other surgeon would take my case. I was bed ridden and he told me he could taken away 50% of my pain. He actually took away 75% of my pain and I live a normal life no longer bedridden. Dr. Shaffrey went on to preform other feats that got him even in Time Magazine. He is now Chief of Duke Spine Division, President elect of the American Association of Surgeons, Director for the American Board of Neurological Surgery, Chair of Int’l Advanced Spine Techniques. I don't know where you live but a trip to Duke University in Durham, NC would be worth it. Good luck, my prayers are with you.
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I have seen ads from a company called Disc Centers of America. They say that their "spinal decompression method can do a lot to help people in your conidiation. I checked reviews online. They seem to have very good reviews. However, you may have to pay a fairly large sum up front since their service is not covered by insurance. You can usually get a free consult. Bring any MRIs, CT scans. Worth a look. All that surgery may not turn out to be any help. At least this method is non-surgical. They are a national company, so there should be an office near you.