Severe spinal stenosis: Would you do surgery?

I have a friend whose spouse had surgery for cervical stenosis and she is doing fine; has a little pain when raising her left arm but, other than that she is fine and nearly 80 years old

i am trying to get in there to have lumbar spinal stenosis addressed....very long wait...takes two months to get an appointment

@bidcd 2 months is a typical wait time for an appointment with a good surgeon. I was told 3 months when applying to Mayo. I had waited 6 weeks for other places. I did get into Mayo in 6 weeks because of a cancellation. Seeing the best surgeon is worth the wait unless you have an emergency situation.

When you are in constant pain, one week is a long wait I have been dealing with this pain for 9 months, not even 100% sure I was diagnosed correctly Most doctors don't even give it attention, like there is nothing they can do

In reading your post ,Collierga, I'm quite familiar with your cervical spine issues. I'm schedule for surgery and the plan is to go in posterior for a laminectomy cervical fusion and instrumentation. I had anterior surgical repair work a year ago and over the last year of recovery, I've lost 90% muscle in my left arm due to the pinched nerve. It's not just pinched , it's laying flat and severely compromised. I don't have any guarantees that this weakness in my arms, legs and hands can be repaired, I'm hoping for the best. Don't wait too long and if you have to get your primary care involved , they may be able to get you in sooner? Monitor any changes and if you're experiencing any changes in your gait, dexterity and feeling weaker. Go the the ER and get checked. At least you could get a MRI or a Cat Scan and be sure and ask for the a copy of the x rays etc so that you can take them to your appointments. I'm not guaranteed that I'm going to get the use of my left arm back hopefully it will stop the progression. I don't think I have time to wait anymore.

I have severe stenosis and spondylitis at L4-L5 and have had steroid injections since 2018. I moved and went to a pain clinic and the nurse last told me before a epidural injection the stenosis was so severe that it made it hard to do the injection. I have an appointment in August and I am afraid if I do it do anything about it I will end up in a wheel chair. I have 2 friends do that neuropathy has one that can barely walk and another that is in a wheelchair.

My primary referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, but I am Going to get a second opinion from a neurosurgeon.

I had surgery for spinal stenosis. I went back for my 6 week follow-up with still severe pain. He said he was sorry but that only 5% of them work. Needless to say if I would have known that I would never had it done. I continued with pain until I had a spinal stimulator implanted. It did take the pain from my legs and probably 40-50% in my back. Not sure why they didn’t do an ablation. I have come to the conclusion I will always have back pain. Hope you have a better outcome than I did.

Did you have any other circumstances? That is crazy disappointing from the best place in the country I am 50-50 but don't want to be in a wheelchair and that is where I am headed

Did you try non surgical methods?

yes, similar - totally happy! HOWEVER - I ditched the neurologist and got to an AWESOME orthopedic surgeon! I did surgery IMMEDIATELY after waiting 18 years with the neurosurgeon. The key is that if your nerve roots exiting L3, 4, 5 are getting squished, go for the surgery ASAP. The damage can't be reversed. I was bummed about that. My neurologist was the head of the department at UCSD, and he was very jaded. My orthopedic doc was a hero. The only problem was that I got there too late to save the nerve roots. LOVED my surgery.

I did! Of course first I did chiropractor, physical therapy, pain patches, bio freeze, massage and acupuncture. None of them helped. Then I did 2 steroid shots which didn’t work. The stimulator has been the best choice so far!