[mc51299]

#6906

I have what I thought to be a common, or at least straightforward, case of degenerative disc disease and I am now in need of surgery following an unhelpful (negative outcome) discectomy. And yet I have now been evaluated by four doctors and have received four completely different sets of experiences/opinions/recommendations. And I get the sense that if I see another two or three doctors I will get a further two or three sets of different recommendations. I have received recommendations for replacements discs, fusion, posterior fixation, DSS, and multiple variations and combinations of each. There is simply no way I can reasonably decide based on the information I have now. Might it be possible to request a remote consultation?

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#6907

The old joke is that if you put four spine surgeons in a room and ask them a question, you will get ten different answers.

On any proposed surgery, you have to make sure you have the correct diagnosis, understand what surgery will and will not do and understand the technique of surgery to know what the expected outcome will be. Why one technique is used over another and what are the typical outcomes.

You can obtain much information from the threads on the website. If fusion vs. artificial discs are being discussed, this is thoroughly covered. Types of fusions are covered and the pros and cons of each are discussed.

If you so desire, I will review your images. There is much more to diagnosis than images but at least that is a start.

Dr. Corenman

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