Getting your first appointment

I can be on the next train from Boston if you will see me.

Please help me I have good health insurance.Respectfully.

Hi Steve, if you would like to get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic experts, click this link to the Appointment Request office http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
You can self refer or get your doctor to submit a referral.

@bjgwellness I wanted to check in with you regarding your son's spinal issues. I'm sorry I missed this post previously. I am a Mayo spine surgery patient for cervical spinal cord compression, and I did have foot drop and an uneven gait like a limp as one of my symptoms which was caused by the spine condition. My spine issues began after a whiplash when another driver rear ended my vehicle. About a month after that collision, I developed foot drop where my foot slapped onto the floor when I stepped onto that foot which my doctor back then didn't recognize as a spine symptom. Gradually that eased away. About 20 years later, I developed a herniated disc and bone spurs that compressed into my spinal cord in my neck and the foot drop symptom came back. It was intermittent for awhile because I was working with a physical therapist who was realigning my spine. When a muscle spasm occurred, it shifted my vertebrae and there was a slight bit of them slipping past each other, so effectively, that made the spinal canal get smaller and brought on the symptoms because the bone spurs on the end of the vertebra and ruptured disc put more pressure on the spinal cord. Then my therapist would get the muscle spasms calmed down again and my gait returned to normal. I have not had any issues with foot drop since my cervical surgery which was a fusion at C5/C6 and I had a great recovery. My neck motion is normal because C5/C6 is low enough that it doesn't do very much for turning the head. The only difference was I cannot touch my chin to my chest, but I get pretty close.

It is very important to get several opinions before undergoing spine surgery and lumbar surgery is a much tougher recovery because he body is bearing most if its weight through the lumbar spine. Did your son find a surgeon who could do lumbar disc replacement?

@bjgwellness I had Lower back fusion .. L4, L5, S1 vertebrae 26 years ago.. when I was 55.. That fusion did not limit my movements... that I could tell.. the plates and screws are still there .. the bone packed around them is solid.. but I function so much better than cohorts.. of the same age, sex and activity level.. The trick is to get a really good surgeon.. I had mine done in OKC.. but that Spine Surgeon is now retired..

Hello. I just joined Mayo Connect to try to help my 35 yo son with spina bifida occulta. He has 3 boys under 5 and is in intense pain. He also has severe knee pain bc of a wreck in his teens that severed his quad tendon. A radiologist friend here (Tulsa) told him to only go to Mayo for spine surgery, so I’m trying to gather info for him. Where do I start? Is there a certain location that specializes in spine/neuro concerns? Thank you!

Hello @pjmax11, Welcome to Connect, an online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others. I know it must be difficult for you as well as your son trying to make sure you find the best help possible when you are considering spine surgery. Here is some information you might find helpful while we wait for other members to respond.

-- @jenniferhunter shared this post in the Severe spinal stenosis discussion on the best Mayo location for spine surgery that you might find helpful - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/290266/
-- Spinal Cord Injury Program: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/spinal-cord-injury-program/
-- Spine Care - expertise and rankings: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/spine-care/sections/expertise-ranking/orc-20426372

Do you have any other questions about travel or lodging that you are trying to get answered for the surgery?

@pjmax11 Hello and welcome to Connect. I wanted to share with John in welcoming you and I will do my best to answer your questions. All Mayo campuses have neurosurgeons, but the Rochester campus might be the largest group of neurosurgeons with subspecialties. I had spine surgery at Mayo Rochester with Dr. Jeremy Fogelson who is a spine deformity expert and who does a lot of scoliosis cases. My case was for cervical spinal cord compression. My experience as a spine surgery patient was excellent. I was highly impressed with everyone at Mayo. You might enjoy my patient story.
https://sharing.mayoclinic.org/2019/01/09/using-the-art-of-medicine-to-overcome-fear-of-surgery/

Here is a list of Mayo neuro-surgeons (all 3 campuses) and each profile tells what there special interests are.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/neurosurgery/sections/doctors/drc-20117103

May I ask what your son is looking for in treatment of the spine? Does he have a diagnosis of a structural problem that can be addressed by surgery?

Thank you @jenniferhunter and @johnbishop

I greatly appreciate your fast response. My son (35) was told by a spine doctor that he has spina bifida occulta, which is a spine deformity. His nerve is compressed and causing intense pain in his back & legs. Supposedly, surgery is a poor option bc they need to open the foramen, which will result in the vertebrae being susceptible to fracture. They told him he could lose bowel function at any time, but all they can say is “don’t bend over & don’t pick up anything greater than 5 lbs”. There have to be other options & opinions. I’m wondering about the spinal pain implant.

@pjmax11 When I was looking at the list of surgeons at Mayo who treat spina bifida, they seem to be pediatric surgeons. I looked up spina bifida oculta and found it was a diagnosis in adults that is sometimes missed. What I might suggest if you are looking for a surgical consult at Mayo is to contact a spine deformity expert. I would contact Mayo first to make sure that you have in network insurance coverage as spine care is very expensive. You can ask to have your records sent in to a particular surgeon if their clinical interests match what you need. I did that in my case. That being said, I would recommend that you contact the neurosurgeon who did my surgery, Jeremy Fogelson, because he is a deformity expert and is teaching in the neurosurgery program at Mayo. First you would be speaking with the neurosurgery department and can ask about which surgeons treat spina bifida in adults. If Dr. Fogelson felt another surgeon was a better choice for your son's case, he may call in another surgeon to assist or to take the case. As patients, John and I don't have any say in scheduling at Mayo or diagnosing issues, but we can relay our experiences and what we know about Mayo.

It is important to get second opinions about any proposed serious spine surgery. There might be another opinion with a different approach that is better or safer. You need a real expert at the top of their game who can give that opinion.

Here is Dr. Fogelson's profile (and there is a wait list to see him at this time)
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/fogelson-jeremy-l-m-d/bio-20055624

If you would like to seek help from Mayo Clinic, contact one of the appointment offices. The contact information for Minnesota, Arizona and Florida can be found here http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63.

Was a spinal implant suggested to him by another surgeon?