Severe spinal stenosis and endoscopic surgery

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dingding78

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I've recently been diagnosed with severe spinal stenosis.

My MRI results show as follows:

Distal spinal cord is normal and terminates at the L1-L2 level. Normal vertebral alignment and marrow signal. Normal prosperous back muscles.

T11 through L4 normal.

L4-L5 disc dehydration, mild disc space narrowing and large 1 cm central protrusion with compression of the thecal sac resulting in severe spinal stenosis to 2-3mm AP dimension. Neural foramina patent.

L5-S1- mild annular disc bulge and annular tear. Central canal and neural foramina patent. Disc dehydration.

I saw my orthopedic surgeon today and he recommended selective endoscopic surgery. He said because I am only 30 and because of the severity of my condition, the surgery would be more beneficial than trying epidurals first although I could decide what I wanted to do.

Has anyone undergone this surgery?

What was your outcome of the surgery, did it help, not help?

Finally, does it seem odd that he recommended surgery right off the bat? I am in severe pain where I cannot walk for more than 10 minutes or lift my daughter without being in excrutiating pain.

Thanks!

Mel
 
Hi Dind ding,sorry but i had to say that,anyway i would get a second opinion about any surgery,he could be right but it is better to be safe than sorry.back surgery is nothing to take lightly it really is life changing,i am so sorry your in this position and i hope you are feeling better. marywoo
 
Not sure who you may be seeing but you may want to get a consult with the doctors in Phoenix (Dr. C. Yeung, Dr. A. Yeung and Dr. J. Field - all in one practice). I have used them for mostly cervical problems but I know they are very involved in both endoscopic and open surgery for all spinal issues.

If endoscopic surgery is an option, I would think of it as a good option. Being less invasive means less pain during recovery, easier recovery, etc. Make sure that you ask them - "if endoscopic doesn't work...can we then discuss other options?'
 
I am seeing Dr. Steingart in N. Scottsdale. I called my GP so that I can get a second opinion. I am for the endoscopic as it is non invasive. He told he I would be able to do everything normal except lift heavy stuff (my daughter included) for a month. Much more reasonable than the other surgeries I have read about.

Mel
 
SPINEAZ,

I checked and they are on my insurance. I am requesting a referral to them! Thank you for the suggestion!

Mel
 
Good! With my new insurance they are "out of network" but I find that it's worth it to pay the extra. They seem very open minded to listening to what I have to say and providing me different options - the most recent surgery was 100% my choice...Dr. C. Yeung laid out all my options and let me choose. Back in 2006 I really respected them when my nerve damage was severe and he said, very nicely, "if you choose not to have surgery - based on the severity of your condition - I don't know that we can offer you anything else. Putting it off will cause you more damage in the long run". With my recent surgery it was more of an option vs. a strong suggestion. So that made me confident that they want the patient to take an active role in treatment.

See if you can get in with Dr. C.Yeung (the son of Dr. A.Yeung). The new doc, Field, is very nice and also very good. He assisted in my surgery and I saw him during my recovery.
 
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