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Alternatives to Cortisone injections for foraminal Stenosis
Hi All,
Does anyone know of non cortisone injections for foraminal stenosis ? Also can a foraminotomy be done without having fusion ?
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@ga29
So did the fusion help your pain? I don't have many options I have pain after I walk even a few steps but I can ride a bike so I do that wherever I can instead of walking. In any rate I'm considering fusion very seriously now I've interviewed many surgeons and some of them are saying they're not sure if it could really help with my leg pain anyway. What was the pain that you had was it in your legs or just in your back?
@gently I recently had an appointment with a prominent neurosurgeon at the Cleveland clinic who recommended the tops procedure which is a non-fusion procedure however I have been looking it up and it's not supposed to be used with people with osteoporosis which I have. I am very confused that he would then suggest it and insist that it's good for people with osteoporosis. My osteoporosis has improved being on Evenity but I still do have it. Has anyone here had the tops procedure and with osteoporosis?
Annie1. you are right to have concern. Your bones have to be strong enough to hold the screws.
What are and what were your T scores L2 through L5. How long have you been on Evenity. What will you take following Evenity.
Your bones may be strong enough for a single segment Tops.
You might contact the manufacturer. https://premiaspine.com/find-a-doctor/
Have you looked at this surgeon's reviews. It can be good to know his success rate and how many of these surgeries he has done. Some doctors don't like those questions since it questions their skills.
The surgical guidelines don't mention osteoporosis in patient selection.
I haven't had the procedure, but hope someone who has had success responds. The potential with Tops is exciting.
The surgeon who recommended it is actually the head of neurosurgery at the Cleveland clinic a very impressive position. He said he's only done about a hundred of those tops procedures which isn't that many but he said they're mostly people over 65 which also contradicts other things I've heard and read. I don't understand how someone in his position could be lying so it's very confusing. I have a very degenerated spine many places are collapsing but I think you would only put the device in one place. They also said he couldn't guarantee that it would get rid of my main symptoms but they all say that because my symptoms apparently are unusual. My legs throb painfully after I walk.