S
SpineAZ
Guest
So how did it go? What were the answers?
Best of luck to you!
Best of luck to you!
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S
sookiepooka
Guest
Hey guys,
I know this is last minute. I see the neurosurgeon today (finally!) @ 4:30. I have an L4/5 herniation with sever compression of the thecal sac and neural foramina.
I am writing down questions to ask. I need help and can't think of them all.
What questions should I ask my neurosurgeon?
Thanks,
SP
I know this is last minute. I see the neurosurgeon today (finally!) @ 4:30. I have an L4/5 herniation with sever compression of the thecal sac and neural foramina.
I am writing down questions to ask. I need help and can't think of them all.
What questions should I ask my neurosurgeon?
Thanks,
SP
SuperStressed
New member
If your back pain is chronic then chances are good you've tried all manner of conservative back pain remedies, stuff like resting, medication, heat or cold therapy, physical therapy, visits to the chiropractor and even corticosteroid injections. If the back pain persists it may be time to consider a more invasive approach.
Your primary care physician can help you find the right Neurosurgeon for your procedure. Here are some questions you should ask your surgeon well before your surgery date:
1) Are there alternatives to surgery?
You may think you've tried them all, but your neurosurgeon could have suggestions beyond what you've attempted thus far. Further, he's seen your type of pain a great deal and may know just the conservative remedy for you.
2) What are the risks of this surgery?
It's important that you know all the long and short term risks that accompany your potential surgery. This is a tough question to ask but it will help you to weigh your decision and it's better to know the risks up front.
3) What are the benefits of this surgery?
This may sound like an obvious question, but it will help you make sure that the surgeon knows exactly what pain you're having and that he's discussing the operation that's best for you. Further, there might be some benefits of the surgery that you don't really need. Talk this one all the way through and help diagnose yourself fully.
4) What will happen if I don't have this surgery?
There might be more factors than your continued back pain. If so, you should know these factors before making your final back surgery decision.
5) Where can I go for a second opinion?
This may seem like an odd question, but it's a great test of your neurosurgeon's mettle. If he's quick to rattle off second opinion options then it's clear that he's confident in his diagnosis. His confidence should NOT be your only deciding factor. Even if you really like your doctor it's imperative that you get that second opinion. You'll have your back for the rest of your life so make sure you're getting it the best care possible.
6) How long can I expect to be in the hospital?
The answer to this question gives you an idea of how invasive the procedure really is, plus it will give you an idea of how to plan for other aspects of your life such as work and family responsibilities.
7) How long will it take me to recover?
Full recovery from the surgery could potentially take longer than your stay in the hospital. Talk this one through with your surgeon to get a good idea of the full extent of recovery, and even some things you could do to speed recovery.
8) What if I still have back pain after surgery?
Be sure to ask this question of any and all neurosurgeons you see prior to surgery - it's vital that you have a road map of the potential lengths you have to go through to achieve relief from your pain. Ideally, should pain persist, you'll be able to relieve it using more conservative methoRAB.
9) When can I resume normal activities?
This question should give you the final analysis on how long you'll be out of commission due to the surgery. Be sure to have a list handy of all the activities that are important to you and go down the list with your neurosurgeon to see if there are any special cases that may have longer or shorter wait times.
10) What is your experience with this surgery?
Make sure you get at both angles of this question... You're asking not only how many times your surgeon has performed the operation, but how well the operation has achieved its goals over time. Take your time with this question and get a thorough answer.
I found a few of these on the internet. Hope this helps. I know I posted this answer late, but you can still call the office with any other concerns you might have.
Your primary care physician can help you find the right Neurosurgeon for your procedure. Here are some questions you should ask your surgeon well before your surgery date:
1) Are there alternatives to surgery?
You may think you've tried them all, but your neurosurgeon could have suggestions beyond what you've attempted thus far. Further, he's seen your type of pain a great deal and may know just the conservative remedy for you.
2) What are the risks of this surgery?
It's important that you know all the long and short term risks that accompany your potential surgery. This is a tough question to ask but it will help you to weigh your decision and it's better to know the risks up front.
3) What are the benefits of this surgery?
This may sound like an obvious question, but it will help you make sure that the surgeon knows exactly what pain you're having and that he's discussing the operation that's best for you. Further, there might be some benefits of the surgery that you don't really need. Talk this one all the way through and help diagnose yourself fully.
4) What will happen if I don't have this surgery?
There might be more factors than your continued back pain. If so, you should know these factors before making your final back surgery decision.
5) Where can I go for a second opinion?
This may seem like an odd question, but it's a great test of your neurosurgeon's mettle. If he's quick to rattle off second opinion options then it's clear that he's confident in his diagnosis. His confidence should NOT be your only deciding factor. Even if you really like your doctor it's imperative that you get that second opinion. You'll have your back for the rest of your life so make sure you're getting it the best care possible.
6) How long can I expect to be in the hospital?
The answer to this question gives you an idea of how invasive the procedure really is, plus it will give you an idea of how to plan for other aspects of your life such as work and family responsibilities.
7) How long will it take me to recover?
Full recovery from the surgery could potentially take longer than your stay in the hospital. Talk this one through with your surgeon to get a good idea of the full extent of recovery, and even some things you could do to speed recovery.
8) What if I still have back pain after surgery?
Be sure to ask this question of any and all neurosurgeons you see prior to surgery - it's vital that you have a road map of the potential lengths you have to go through to achieve relief from your pain. Ideally, should pain persist, you'll be able to relieve it using more conservative methoRAB.
9) When can I resume normal activities?
This question should give you the final analysis on how long you'll be out of commission due to the surgery. Be sure to have a list handy of all the activities that are important to you and go down the list with your neurosurgeon to see if there are any special cases that may have longer or shorter wait times.
10) What is your experience with this surgery?
Make sure you get at both angles of this question... You're asking not only how many times your surgeon has performed the operation, but how well the operation has achieved its goals over time. Take your time with this question and get a thorough answer.
I found a few of these on the internet. Hope this helps. I know I posted this answer late, but you can still call the office with any other concerns you might have.
M
murr3
Guest
Find a minimally-invasive oriented surgeon and ask:
What percent of your practice involves MIS?
How long have you been doing MIS?
How many MIS procedures have you performed in the last 6 months?
What training have you had in MIS surgery?
Do you present your work on MIS at peer-reviewed scientific meetings and journals?
What percent of your practice involves MIS?
How long have you been doing MIS?
How many MIS procedures have you performed in the last 6 months?
What training have you had in MIS surgery?
Do you present your work on MIS at peer-reviewed scientific meetings and journals?
S
sookiepooka
Guest
Thank you everyone. I went to Dr.'s very nervous. But with the knowledge and guidance given here, along with my own research, I felt somewhat comfortable and prepared. The questions you all helped me with were definetly on target. Obviously he had heard them before. By the time he finish questioning and examing me; he explained and anwered most of the questiones I or we had.
It turns out my compression at the herniation was quite severe as he pointed out to me on the MRI's. I was actually quite shocked looking at the pictures. It brought a little tear to my eyes because I had been fighting to have an MRI for more than a year, but my primary kept forcing the more conservative approach with tradition treatment. Finally my complaints and fighting for myself were justified.
I will be having a MIS surgery in a couple weeks on the L4/5. Just need to get things scheduled. It turns out that the surgeon specializes in this specific surgery and completes 2 to 3 MIS's per week. I am a bit nervous but I feel it is a move in the right direction. I have been moving in no direction for way to long with way to much pain. I'm sure others can relate.
Thank you to everyone on this board. It was great to get real experience from real people who have been thru it and are going through it now. I was prepared for the surgeon's visit. Next I'll need your support to get through the next phases.
With Graditude,
SP
It turns out my compression at the herniation was quite severe as he pointed out to me on the MRI's. I was actually quite shocked looking at the pictures. It brought a little tear to my eyes because I had been fighting to have an MRI for more than a year, but my primary kept forcing the more conservative approach with tradition treatment. Finally my complaints and fighting for myself were justified.
I will be having a MIS surgery in a couple weeks on the L4/5. Just need to get things scheduled. It turns out that the surgeon specializes in this specific surgery and completes 2 to 3 MIS's per week. I am a bit nervous but I feel it is a move in the right direction. I have been moving in no direction for way to long with way to much pain. I'm sure others can relate.
Thank you to everyone on this board. It was great to get real experience from real people who have been thru it and are going through it now. I was prepared for the surgeon's visit. Next I'll need your support to get through the next phases.
With Graditude,
SP
B
brendaks1
Guest
It sounRAB like you will likely have surgery suggested to you. If this is the case, you may want to ask if you can have a discogram test done.
A discogram can be painful but it is very short-lived pain. However, if you have more than just the one disc that is causing problems or has a big tear in it, this test will show it and there aren't other tests that can show the same thing.
The worst thing for you would be to have surgery done on this disc only to find later that there is an adjacent disc level that is also a pain generator for you so you have to have another test done.
Also, I would recommend getting a second surgeon to look at your situation and find out what he/she would recommend. It's amazing how different the opinions/recommendations of spine surgeons can be.
A discogram can be painful but it is very short-lived pain. However, if you have more than just the one disc that is causing problems or has a big tear in it, this test will show it and there aren't other tests that can show the same thing.
The worst thing for you would be to have surgery done on this disc only to find later that there is an adjacent disc level that is also a pain generator for you so you have to have another test done.
Also, I would recommend getting a second surgeon to look at your situation and find out what he/she would recommend. It's amazing how different the opinions/recommendations of spine surgeons can be.
F
ftangel
Guest
I am a bit late.But I am glad that u ave decided to go through surgery.Because back pains will always be there if the problem is not fixed.u might feel a lot better with the pain once after the surgery.U might have to be on pain medications until u get the complete recovery.
After surgery it is very important that u keep up with the physical therapy.The more u put your effort the faster u will recover.Always make sure that u take the pain medications prescribed 30 min prior to your physical therapy.This will help u benefit the physical therapy with minimal discomfort.I wish u all the best of luck with your surgery.
After surgery it is very important that u keep up with the physical therapy.The more u put your effort the faster u will recover.Always make sure that u take the pain medications prescribed 30 min prior to your physical therapy.This will help u benefit the physical therapy with minimal discomfort.I wish u all the best of luck with your surgery.
B
backhurtz
Guest
What type of surgery are you recommending?
How many of this type of surgery have you done in the past?
What were the outcomes? What do you consider a successful outcome?
Will I need assistance after the surgery? For how long?
How long will I be in the hospital for?
How long do you expect my recovery to be?
Will this relieve the pain that I am having?
If there are nerves effected, will this restore them to full function?
Can I expect any permanent damage?
What happens if I don't fuse ( assuming that a fusion is recommended?
How long will I need assistive devices to get around?
What will my restrictions be?
How long do you anticipate before I can return to work? Part time? Full time?
Will I have Physical Therapy post op?
How long do you think that I will need to go to PT?
What type of pain meRAB will I be given post op in the hospital?
What type of pain meRAB will I be given at home? How long?
That's about all I can think of at the moment..........
Back
How many of this type of surgery have you done in the past?
What were the outcomes? What do you consider a successful outcome?
Will I need assistance after the surgery? For how long?
How long will I be in the hospital for?
How long do you expect my recovery to be?
Will this relieve the pain that I am having?
If there are nerves effected, will this restore them to full function?
Can I expect any permanent damage?
What happens if I don't fuse ( assuming that a fusion is recommended?
How long will I need assistive devices to get around?
What will my restrictions be?
How long do you anticipate before I can return to work? Part time? Full time?
Will I have Physical Therapy post op?
How long do you think that I will need to go to PT?
What type of pain meRAB will I be given post op in the hospital?
What type of pain meRAB will I be given at home? How long?
That's about all I can think of at the moment..........
Back
S
sookiepooka
Guest
Thanks Ftangle!!! I'll post as much info about my experience (good and bad) so others can be helped here as I have been helped.
SP
SP
S
sookiepooka
Guest
Wow! Thank you very much!! I have written them down and will ask them all. Wish me luck!
SP
SP
B
backhurtz
Guest
Sookie,
I'm glad that the questions I posted helped you to get answers that you or anyone should be given prior to having surgery.
A good surgeon will be able to answer them without being offended and would recommend that you get another opinion or at the very least not be offended if you tell him that you want another one.
He should have a "game plan" in place of any on going problems post op, and should be able to direct you in getting help if you need it , with pain management, physical therapy ,etc.
I'm glad that you feel more comfortable with your discussions and ready for surgery. Just remeraber the MOST important thing that you can do post op is to follow the surgeons directions, no matter how silly or intrusive or ridiculous you might feel they are, or how "good" you feel post op. NOT following the directions he gives you can undo whatever the surgery did and you don't want to go through back surgery, even MIS surgery twice if you don't have to.
I hope things go smoothly for you and your surgeon. Don't forget to let us know how you make out.
Back
I'm glad that the questions I posted helped you to get answers that you or anyone should be given prior to having surgery.
A good surgeon will be able to answer them without being offended and would recommend that you get another opinion or at the very least not be offended if you tell him that you want another one.
He should have a "game plan" in place of any on going problems post op, and should be able to direct you in getting help if you need it , with pain management, physical therapy ,etc.
I'm glad that you feel more comfortable with your discussions and ready for surgery. Just remeraber the MOST important thing that you can do post op is to follow the surgeons directions, no matter how silly or intrusive or ridiculous you might feel they are, or how "good" you feel post op. NOT following the directions he gives you can undo whatever the surgery did and you don't want to go through back surgery, even MIS surgery twice if you don't have to.
I hope things go smoothly for you and your surgeon. Don't forget to let us know how you make out.
Back