midnightsadie
ohio
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thinking of have cervical lasor surgrey any body been there done IT. from what the flyers say its sure easier than the old school way.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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After having spine surgery, I would go to at least two doctors, that do both conventional and laser surgery and let them recommend the best for you. If you go to a place that only does laser surgery, I'm pretty sure that they will say laser is the best, which it may or may not be. Everyone is different. I had conventional spine surgery 1 1/2 years ago and have zero regrets for my choice.
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Ozlander
Rose Hill, Kansas
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A lot of people do not benefit from back surgery.
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Bounder Billy
Colorado
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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor.
Laser surgery is using a focused beam to cut or destroy tissue instead of a scalpel (knife). In most cases, laser offers very little advantage over the knife. In many cases it is a marketing tool used by surgeons who are trying to make more money. Many people in the medical community think lasers are a treatment looking for a disease. The big exception is eye surgery and other types of microsurgery where laser is used extensively.
If I were you I would get a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon and in the case of back surgery, (IMHO) it is to be avoided at all costs unless it is the last resort. Some orthopedic surgeons will not do back surgery because of the number of failures and the possibility of law suits. That being said, back surgery can work wonderfully well for many people. Read the attached article from the Mayo Clinic, and get a second opinion. Mayo Clinic
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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I had neck surgery where they took bone out of my hip and went in through the front of your neck to get to the disks, #2 and #3 I think, and it corrected my problem immediately.
I was to the point of fix it or kill me, I don't care which.
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
I was in the hospital six days and that was because they had me on antibiotics that could only be administered by IV.
Be careful of the nay sayers. For sure there can be problems but most of the time things come out fine. It's like spinal taps. You'll hear horrible things. I've had two and it was simple and, again, I had no problems.
It all depends on how much pain you are in. If you are hurting bad enough you'll probably have it done.
I've not had the laser surgery done nor do I know anything about it.
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Ozlander wrote:A lot of people do not benefit from back surgery.
I don't know that I would say "a lot" don't benefit. I think a more accurate comment would be SOME don't benefit. After actually three different opinions from Ortho doctors, I had titanium pedicle screws and rods installed. This is the latest technology for "conventional" surgery. On a previous injury when I used to race motorcycles, I had a stainless steel plate and screws used to hold my hand together. Stainless steel is NOT accepted by your body and eventually everything had to be removed. With titanium, the bolts are hollow and porous and your bone grows around, and attaches to, the bolts as if they are bone. Right now, my bolts are completely encased in bone and are stronger than the spine ever was. I also had a spacer installed for a disc that was gone. With titanium, I can have an MRI and I also do not set off any metal detectors at the airports.
The thing is technology has moved forward in ALL types of surgery. Any surgery is major and more than one doctor's opinion is necessary to decide what is best for you. My results, and a current 210+ bowling average as a senior, is all of the proof that I need that I made the right decisions, FOR ME.
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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No matter the procedure, select your doctor carefully. Over 20 yrs ago my wife had debilitating back pain to the point she could barely walk. She had surgery from an orthopedic surgeon. Within a year, the problem was back as bad if not worse. She had surgery again, this time from a neurosurgeon. Difference of night and day. She was up and moving much more quickly and recover time was much much less. And after 20+ yrs has very little back problem.
Not saying a neurosurgeon is necessarily better than an orthopedic surgeon, just saying to do all research possible in selecting your surgeon.
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Grub
Pierre
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Ozlander wrote:A lot of people do not benefit from back surgery.
My grandmother had back surgery a few years ago, she's worse off not than she was prior.
If you do go for surgery make sure the surgeon is a neurosurgeon, not orthopedic.
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IDman
colorado
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Orthopedic surgeons are great for broken bones. Neuro-surgeons are what you want for back surgery as they deal with nerves and other micro problems. Been there, had success. Have your primary doc suggest a TOP neuro-surgeon for opinion.
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Diplomat Don
Moorpark, Ca
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After living with a bad back for the past 20 years, I found that some people benefit form surgery some don't. I'm kind of the opinion of "ArchHoagland" Fix me or kill me! Unfortunately, there is no surgery for the narrowing of the openings in my low back. They have a surgery for it, just won't work in my case. As others said, get a second opinion, even if you have to pay out of pocket.
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