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Severe Stenosis - Doc advises surgery
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 23 10:05pm | Replies (64)Comment receiving replies
jbr's case is emblematic of how hard it is to make any generalizations about back surgeries from patent to patient. No two spines are alike. No two spine surgeries are alike. No two spine surgeons are alike. And so on...It's interesting to share "this is what happened to me" stories but it's very unclear if person A's story is informative of person B's situation. My best advice (three spine surgeries this year) is to get diagnosed with the best equipment available (MRI, X-ray, etc), select the best hospital for your journey (I'm a huge Mayo fan), and get in front of a surgical specialist who's best-in-class. At that point, set a plan and trust the process.
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Things I have been told as I search for relief from pain caused by severe stenosis and multiple lumbar spine issues.
1. the skill of a surgeon does not insure a positive result. (HSS neurosurgeon)
2. surgery for cervical spine is more predictable than surgery for the lumbar spine. (University of Penn)
3. lumbar spinal surgery mostly helps with severe leg pain. not so much with back pain. (Rothman)
4. about 50% of lumbar spine surgeries provide long term relief. about 30% of additional surgeries are successful. (PCP)
5. there is not long term follow up of spinal surgery. thus the surgeon may label the surgery a success even if the patient is in severe pain a year or two after surgery. (Goole Scholar...best place to look for evidence based research if you know hoe to evaluate the quality of the research)
I have met with various surgeons who have offered me various surgeries or said "no surgery"
I would really like to find a surgeon who would give me a realistic assessment of my chance of a reasonably lasting positive result with surgery along with all possible options for each possible approach. Thus far I have been unsuccessful, If anyone has evidence that indicates the above mentioned "facts" are not accurate or a suggestion for a surgeon (neuro or ortho) it would be very appreciated.