General Medical issues thread

[JohnK]

I'm due back at the GP this week, but honestly, starting to feel like I got a lemon for a body.

We must have got in the wrong queue.

 

[suze2000]

We must have got in the wrong queue.

I've never been concerned about it - up until this year.

 

[JohnK]

I've never been concerned about it - up until this year.

I've been concerned about it for a long time. I never really thought that someone in their teens or early twenties should suffer that much lower back pain.

And every day the pain gets worse but can't give up.

 

[JohnM]

Has anyone out there had spinal disc fusion surgery in the cervical (neck) spine?

I am interested in any experiences of what is known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

I have a distorted disc that is pressing on my spinal cord and a major nerve that radiates down my left arm. It was revealed by MRI after some mild but persistent pain and minor arm and hand numbness earlier in the year. It was more of a nuisance than anything; certainly not debilitating or anything that stopped my normal, relatively intense, exercise regime and had no negative impact on recent lengthy travel .

Gradually the symptoms disappeared naturally but I saw an orthopedic surgeon last week who is recommending the above procedure. It is claimed to be quite common and routine.

Now that the symptoms have gone, I'm torn as to whether to get it done or wait to see if the symptoms come back. The thought of messing about with the spine is inherently unappealing, but that is merely a reactive response. The evidence is what always decides things for me.

The concern appears to be that the weakened disc makes for a point of vulnerability in the neck such that trauma such as whiplash could have worse consequences than otherwise would be the case.

 

[Pushka]

Has anyone out there had spinal disc fusion surgery in the cervical (neck) spine?

I am interested in any experiences of what is known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

I have a distorted disc that is pressing on my spinal cord and a major nerve that radiates down my left arm. It was revealed by MRI after some mild but persistent pain and minor arm and hand numbness earlier in the year. It was more of a nuisance than anything; certainly not debilitating or anything that stopped my normal, relatively intense, exercise regime and had no negative impact on recent lengthy travel .

Gradually the symptoms disappeared naturally but I saw an orthopedic surgeon last week who is recommending the above procedure. It is claimed to be quite common and routine.

Now that the symptoms have gone, I'm torn as to whether to get it done or wait to see if the symptoms come back. The thought of messing about with the spine is inherently unappealing, but that is merely a reactive response. The evidence is what always decides things for me.

The concern appears to be that the weakened disc makes for a point of vulnerability in the neck such that trauma such as whiplash could have worse consequences than otherwise would be the case.

I had a rupture of the disc at L5 and S1 and it became free floating in the spinal canal. I had no choice as I immediately lost function of my right leg in standing. Calf died. I was operated on by a neurologist and they don’t do spinal fusions. They perform laminectamies (sp?). An ortho surgeon does fusions. Whatever you decide get an opinion from both specialties.

I was 32 at the time and not quite double that now. Other than being careful with my back I’m not yet having any issues and I thought I might as the ‘going thing’ back then was fusion but the GP I saw was attached to a Sports Medical Practice and their aim is to keep mobility.

 

[JohnM]

I had a rupture of the disc at L5 and S1 and it became free floating in the spinal canal. I had no choice as I immediately lost function of my right leg in standing. Calf died. I was operated on by a neurologist and they don’t do spinal fusions. They perform laminectamies (sp?). An ortho surgeon does fusions. Whatever you decide get an opinion from both specialties.

I was 32 at the time and not quite double that now. Other than being careful with my back I’m not yet having any issues and I thought I might as the ‘going thing’ back then was fusion but the GP I saw was attached to a Sports Medical Practice and their aim is to keep mobility.

L5 and S1 are a long way below the C vertebrae. It may not be comparable, but thanks anyway.

 

[drron]

I would also get an opinion from a Neurosurgeon who does spinal surgery.Such a consult saved me at least temporarily from spinal surgery.

 

[KitKat]

I would also get an opinion from a Neurosurgeon who does spinal surgery.Such a consult saved me at least temporarily from spinal surgery.

Agree.... get a second opinion... someone who does not operate on everyone who walks through the private rooms.... I know hard to find

Yes, it is a common procedure but there are inherent risks in all surgery

some things to consider - likelihood of getting worse? how quickly? experience of surgeon? where it's being done?

 

[JohnK]

I had a rupture of the disc at L5 and S1 and it became free floating in the spinal canal. I had no choice as I immediately lost function of my right leg in standing.

This is similar to what dad had recently. They operated to remove the fragments as these were pressing against the nerves and he was paralysed.

 

[Pushka]

L5 and S1 are a long way below the C vertebrae. It may not be comparable, but thanks anyway.

The principle is the same.

 

[suze2000]

The principle is the same.

Yeah but if an op on the cervical spine goes wrong the result is much more devastating.

 

[Pushka]

Yeah but if an op on the cervical spine goes wrong the result is much more devastating.

You think ending up in a wheelchair isn't devastating enough for a 32 year old mother with 2 young children?

 

[drron]

But if you are quadriplegic then you can't even crawl through an airport.

 

[JohnK]

Yeah but if an op on the cervical spine goes wrong the result is much more devastating.

That would go for any operation. I know quite a few people who opted for an operation but have lost the ability to use that part of the body as that operation and subsequent attempts have failed.

I would seriously reconsider any need for an operation unless life threatening. I can learn to live with pain.

 

[Pushka]

That would go for any operation. I know quite a few people who opted for an operation but have lost the ability to use that part of the body as that operation and subsequent attempts have failed.

I would seriously reconsider any need for an operation unless life threatening. I can learn to live with pain.

There’s pain and then there is loss of function (or risk of death obviously as in cancer). These days pain isn’t usually the reason for surgery.

 

[JohnK]

There’s pain and then there is loss of function (or risk of death obviously as in cancer). These days pain isn’t usually the reason for surgery.

Understood.

An ex-panel beater had a lot of pain in his shoulder. Not loss of function but affected him playing golf too although he wasn't that good at golf. Had a shoulder operation and he then couldn't raise his arm above chest height. Had another operation to correct the first and that failed to rectify the problem.

He gave up and does not have full use of his arm. This was supposed to be a routine operation. The risks were very low. Life is not the same.

I'm now limping noticeably with osteoarthritis in the left hip. It has now started in right hip. I struggle to play golf but somehow manage to walk around. At which point should I consider surgery? Not an easy one.

 

[Pushka]

Understood.

An ex-panel beater had a lot of pain in his shoulder. Not loss of function but affected him playing golf too although he wasn't that good at golf. Had a shoulder operation and he then couldn't raise his arm above chest height. Had another operation to correct the first and that failed to rectify the problem.

He gave up and does not have full use of his arm. This was supposed to be a routine operation. The risks were very low. Life is not the same.

I'm now limping noticeably with osteoarthritis in the left hip. It has now started in right hip. I struggle to play golf but somehow manage to walk around. At which point should I consider surgery? Not an easy one.

I think you will just wake up one day and know when it’s the right time.

 

[drron]

The major reason for spinal surgery is loss of function not pain.Most studies suggest pain is often unchanged or worsened by surgery.

 

[tgh]

How long before everyday humans can be programmed (trained?) to ignore pain?

 

[Flashback]

How long before everyday humans can be programmed (trained?) to ignore pain?

Isn't that what psychology is for?