[thomasvenice]

#10358

you is very kind! thank you very much for these answers that have removed any doubt that intervention will have to ‘have

[thomasvenice]

#10360

sorry, I forgot to ask: removing part of the vertebrae and having no more ‘protection of the nerves, I will’ then the most frail and vulnerable? thanks

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10363

If you choose a TLIF, only the facet on one side is removed. This can be quite helpful for two reasons. The first is that this facet removal will decompress the foramen on that side. If there was compression of the nerve in the lateral recess or foramen (see website for this description), this facet removal automatically decompresses the nerve roots.

The second advantage is that this facet is “reusable”. We spine surgeons are very “green” and do not like to waste good bone. These facet pieces are cleaned and used as bone graft.

I thought many years ago that this facet removal during a TLIF could destabilize the vertebra but if a thick enough cage is placed within the disc space and the pedicle screws are well placed, this construct is actually more stable than the level was prior to surgery.

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.

[thomasvenice]

#10403

hello dear doctor ,
I watched all his videos , and I knew a lot, but a couple of things I want to ask :
says that artificial discs are good for the neck but not for the back (apart from the graft from the belly ) , ’cause they do not absorb the shock, but not the same if it stabilizes the stretch L4 -S1 with fingers ? (after the shock will absorb by L3 or “S..”?).
as I said I live near Venice – Italy , the possibility that ‘ I have to be operated from you and what costs should I deal with not being an American citizen with insurance ? ( I do not work for over 4 years and for me it would be a big problem already pay for my flight ) .

in Italian doctors have always underestimated my problem and they said that my bulging disck – were less severe hernia , but in reality ‘ deprived me of the past 11 years of his life (and I have 33 today ) .. and I suffer every day scream and I can not do anything all my dreams that I had as a musician .. the doctors here do not understand and I’m still struggling to find someone who will help me ..
I have many problems and all make a big mistake for the italian doctors, because they say: “firs back, after L1-D12, and after we will think for nack..”
but they never started to have surgery to heal .. what do you think can be done to a D12- L1 disc protrusion that hurts the whole left side of the middle back ?
thank you for your kindness .
thomas

[Donald Corenman, MD, DC]

#10406

The first thing to in diagnosis is to categorize your symptoms specifically. What percentage of pain is here vs. there and what aggravates and relieves the pain? How does the pain become worse? Also, what symptoms occurred before your prior surgeries and how the surgeries affected these symptoms.

Once the symptoms are categorized, then assumptions can be made regarding their origins. A physical examination can be performed to determine if the symptoms have physical findings that corroborate or deny the suspected diagnosis.

Imaging is then used to determine if the history (symptoms) and physical examination have a source of pain.

Finally, injections can be used to confirm the suspected diagnosis.

Only then can a surgical plan can be formed to determine what surgery can and cannot do to help you with your symptoms.

You can call my office at the (970) 476-1100 number using the USA country code and talk to one of my nurses to determine what costs are involved.

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.

[thomasvenice]

#10410

I suffer especially in the back, I have lost all the muscles (I did a lot of gym until 3 years ago), and any lateral movement or front feel like it would break the column. I would say that 65% back 35% of the calves and feet, but it all comes from the back ..
I suffer from muscle spasms and rest every week locked, so by having to make strong massage to loosen the muscles.
other interventions were made with discolisis, coblation and discectomy with coflex, and I do not think they gave the worse, but I think I have now come to an end as all doctors have always underestimated my sorrows.

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