Viewing 6 posts - 55 through 60 (of 89 total)
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  • JBoz
    Participant
    Post count: 51

    Dr. Corenman, when you say midline, I’m assuming you are talking about the center of the back, but you say in a lateral position, so that would imply I’m laying on my side, is this correct? Therefore the midline you are referring to is not the center of my back?

    I could probably get a set of medial branch blocks, or an epidural. The surgeon however requested I not proceed with those. I don’t know if that is because I have had this pain for such a very long time, that it may be obvious we now know the reason, due to the MRI. I must believe that decompression is going to result in many positive changes regarding my current health.

    This appears to be such an uncommon surgery, it has brought me more questions than answers. Again I have no idea how common a T4 T5 laminectomy and microdiscectomy is in this day and age. I think the internet can be very distracting in nature. My cervical surgeries were very easy to understand. This surgery is presenting me with a large learning curve from the two cervical fusions I have had performed in the past. I think the bottom line is the best approach is different with every surgeon.

    I believe your use of the word midline isn’t referring to the center of my back, since I would be lying on my side.

    Thank you again,

    JB

    JBoz
    Participant
    Post count: 51

    Dr. Corenamn, I apologize for the repetition of my previous questions. I now understand the approach you were speaking of in a matter of degrees, in the responses previously. I’m getting the guided marker CT on the 30th, I imagine the surgery will come soon after. It will be a cut just off the left side of the spine at T4 T5. I’m not too worried about the surgery, due to the experience of my surgeon. I cannot wait to feel the relief it will bring. I will always be very thankful for individuals such as you and my current neurosurgeon. I want to say again, I appreciate your time and wonderful information. I wish I could do this type of open discussion with my own surgeon. That would be really neat. It would be nice for him to know how very much I appreciate his moving forward with this uncommon surgery, I will make a point of thanking him in the near future. I think I’m one of those patients that drives him bonkers with questions. I’m certain you know the type.

    Anyways, if you had one best word of advice to prepare for a surgery, what would it be?

    Thank you,

    JB

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    The best advice to prepare for surgery is covered in this website “preparation for spine surgery”. Stop NSAIDs 5-10 days before surgery. Any supplement that begins with “G” needs to be stopped too (ginseng, gurarana, etc) as these can affect surgery. Relax and trust your surgeon.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    JBoz
    Participant
    Post count: 51

    Dr. Corenman, thank you.

    I will let you know how it turn out soon. I am working on the relaxing. Surgery is always a bit of a stressful event, but the stress from the quality of life in my case, far exceeds the stress of this surgery. I have a bit of fear, but a lot more excitement of being relieved of such a long term health crisis. I worry about my 11 year old boy more than anything. I cannot imagine what is running through his mind. He has met with my surgeon, and he knows how successful he is, so I think that helped him out a lot. It’s tough going through three spine surgeries in 3 years. I secretly wish my surgeon would video tape the surgery. This stuff is fascinating to me.

    Again, great advice, and I will be updating in the near future. That link was very helpful indeed.

    JB

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    Please keep in touch. Your results and experience will be helpful to others on this site.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
    JBoz
    Participant
    Post count: 51

    Hello Dr. Corenman,

    I’m sorry I have not responded about my thoracic surgery. The surgery was done in December and the chest pain continued. If fact the situation worsened. I’m reaching out today because a follow 3T MRI of my thoracic spine shows worsened edema, and or myelomalacia. The MRI shows the epidural hygroma as being resolved. The report closes with the worsened part. I’m having new issues. My right leg is very hot and my hip has pain as well. My right hand is starting to have symptoms and the pain in both the back and the chest have become worse.

    The edema and or myelomalacia has me scared. My surgeon has the information, I’m just waiting for a plan of action. I’m curious of what your take is on the term moderate to severe edema, and or myelomalacia, and if this can be fixed. It’s been almost 5 months since the surgery. There was a cut in the wrong place, but no operation done. They closed it up and performed the operation above, in the correct spot.

    Any advice would be very helpful, as I have something worse than before it appears. I pray this is something that can be managed, but my symptoms are getting worse.

    Sincerely,

    JBoz

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