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Have you heard of new "TOPS" Spine surgery?

Posted by libertyusa @libertyusa, Apr 18, 2025

It focuses on Stenosis and Spondylolesthesis which I have. I also have Scoliosis. I have a new Dr., well educated, who I do not think has
much surgery experience. But I am anxious to get going to fix
my problems. Have spent over a year on working on fixing my spine.
I am in the highest age category they will do (80). Am in good shape and basically very healthy.

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Profile picture for ldg001....Laurie
ldg001....Laurie | @ldg001 | 1 day ago
In reply to @annie1 "@ldg001 I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for..." + (show)
Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

@ldg001
I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for TOPS. Can I ask which Dr said it was ok for you and where they are located? I have osteoporosis and attended a webinar by Premia spine that makes the device and they said it is contraindicated for osteoporosis, however the Dr I saw, who is the head of surgery at ClevelandClinic said he could do it for me. I scheduled a call with a Premia person this week, however I think they are sales people that call. Anyway, I am curious how bad your osteoporosis is and who the Dr is who said you could qualify for TOPS. You have to PM me! They don't allow Dr's names in the general chat, SO PLEASE PM ME THE INFO ABOUT THE DR. THANKS

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@annie1

Hi, I'm in Houston area, Dr. William Steele is who I went to see. However after reading all this made me wonder how bad my DEXA was, I wasn't sure. My numbers are all well above the -2.0. I have read that in order to have this procedure done you need the bone strengthening med for 2 to 12 months, but at least 3. This doctor told me he wanted me on the meds for at least a month. That indicates to me that maybe my bones are not that bad. At one time I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and started going to gym to do weight bearing exercises. I reversed it about a year and a half. So I supposed I'm still good even tho I have not been consistent. I know I need to go back to gym to keep it from coming back. I was impressed with this doc, I asked questions and ws very nice going me all ignore could, He is rated very well. Hope this will help you.

REPLY
Profile picture for ldg001....Laurie
ldg001....Laurie | @ldg001 | 1 day ago
In reply to @annie1 "@ldg001 I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for..." + (show)
Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

@ldg001
I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for TOPS. Can I ask which Dr said it was ok for you and where they are located? I have osteoporosis and attended a webinar by Premia spine that makes the device and they said it is contraindicated for osteoporosis, however the Dr I saw, who is the head of surgery at ClevelandClinic said he could do it for me. I scheduled a call with a Premia person this week, however I think they are sales people that call. Anyway, I am curious how bad your osteoporosis is and who the Dr is who said you could qualify for TOPS. You have to PM me! They don't allow Dr's names in the general chat, SO PLEASE PM ME THE INFO ABOUT THE DR. THANKS

Jump to this post

@annie1
I tried to send you a message....it will not go through? I don't know if I am doing something wrong?
Too many @anniela01's come up?

REPLY
Profile picture for ldg001....Laurie
ldg001....Laurie | @ldg001 | 1 day ago
In reply to @annie1 "@ldg001 I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for..." + (show)
Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

@ldg001
I am very frustrated due to getting different answers whether I am a candidate for TOPS. Can I ask which Dr said it was ok for you and where they are located? I have osteoporosis and attended a webinar by Premia spine that makes the device and they said it is contraindicated for osteoporosis, however the Dr I saw, who is the head of surgery at ClevelandClinic said he could do it for me. I scheduled a call with a Premia person this week, however I think they are sales people that call. Anyway, I am curious how bad your osteoporosis is and who the Dr is who said you could qualify for TOPS. You have to PM me! They don't allow Dr's names in the general chat, SO PLEASE PM ME THE INFO ABOUT THE DR. THANKS

Jump to this post

@annie1

I think message went through, let me know.

REPLY
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ou14mejc | @ou14mejc | 7 hours ago
In reply to @ldg001 "@annie1 Hi, I came on here to see what kind of info I could find on..." + (show)
Profile picture for ldg001....Laurie @ldg001

@annie1
Hi, I came on here to see what kind of info I could find on anyone that might have had the TOPS procedure, which I am looking into. I saw your post about you having osteoporosis. I have Spondylolesthesis, and I'm very leery of having a fusion, (supposedly the TOPS is reversible and fusion is not) so I thought this may be a better option for me. The surgeon I saw says I am a candidate for it, although I have some osteoporosis, he would put me on some medication for approximately a month or more to strengthen my bones and be able to proceed with the procedure. I am just worried about any side effects this medication may have and hopefully will not make me sick. I don't know how severe your osteoporosis is? Just thought I'd let you know. I still am not sure if I will go ahead with this procedure. We shall see.
I have reversed my osteoporosis in the past, I have not been consistent in the last 2 years and some of it has come back.

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@ldg001 Did your doctor actually tell you he could make your bones stronger in a month? I had to take daily shots for two years to increase my bone density. Also, I just had my consultation for TOPs and I was told people with osteoporosis are not candidates. The screws will not hold if the bones are too porous. The bone drug side effects are scary. I put off taking the medication until I had no other choice. I was on Forteo. I did not have major side effects and my osteoporosis improved significantly in my spine. I'm glad I finally agreed to take the treatment or I could not have surgery to fix my back.

REPLY
Profile picture for ldg001....Laurie
ldg001....Laurie | @ldg001 | 6 hours ago

Yes, he did.... Stonger in a month. Yes, I know they have side effects that's why I opt to do it myself naturally with working out and supplements, and I succeeded. The best thing for osteoporosis is the weight bearing exercises and that worked for me. Thankfully I have build up my bone structure from what it was, I suppose that's why he feels like I only need a month to be on the meds. I feel if I had osteoporosis that bad he would not even suggest the procedure for me. I was diagnosed with Osteoporosis about 6 years ago, since then I have been working out. I now just have some Osteopenia.

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