Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Tampa, FL
Posted: 01-17-08 08:55am
Marie,
No, unfortunately I have not heard from
Mare and pray that she is doing ok. I know
she had her evaluations, testings, etc.
Mon. and Tues. with a possible surgery
date of yesterday.
Let's all keep Mare in our prayers and
give her a long distance hand-hold!
Best wishes and God bless,
Carrianne
|
Carrianne
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Tampa, FL
grabbers Posted: 01-17-08 09:07am
Ahh, the grabber! My mom sent me one in
the mail last year and my pride wouldn't
let me keep it. It forced me to get rid of
it, refusing that I was that bad. Boy am I
regretting that!!
Now, do I tell her my pride got rid of it,
but it wants another one or should I cover
for my pride and go buy one myself? hee
hee
Here's to no one dropping anything today!
Best wishes and God bless,
Carrianne
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-17-08 12:08pm
Hello Carrianne,
Go out and buy the same one that your mom
gave you.
AHHHHhhhh Carrianne, you should be in N.
Va today. A beautiful white snow is
falling, with trees and all becoming a
winter wonderland.
RichT
|
Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
No Appointment Monday Posted: 01-17-08 15:44pm
I just got a call from my surgeon's
office. My appointment was cancelled for
Monday and rescheduled for Febreuary 11.
The Doctor is "out". He is probably
heading South to catch himself some sun
rays, although they didn't tell me that.
If I were him that is where I would go.
Cararianne, Go buy the Grabber. Make
your life easier. Mom's are so smart.
OH! Don't tell her that you got rid of
the first one just make sure it looks
exactly like the one she got you. Mom's
have eyes in the front and back of their
heads. I know. God put them there.
Marie B.
|
jimare
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 01 Oct 2007 Posts: 43 Location: ,
re my trip to LSI Posted: 01-17-08 22:55pm
Hi all
Sorry for the delay in letting you know
what is going on, but have had a couple of
delays re my surgery at LSI. My
evaluation was on Mon and Tues and when I
got the results of my MRI I was rather
shocked to see just what a mess my spine
was. They determined that there were 2
severe problems..one at the L2/3 level and
one at the L3/4. The nerve roots were
being badly compressed. They decided that
they would do a nerve block to see if they
could decide which level was worse because
they only work on one level (and I sure
couldn't afford the 2nd operation).
Anyhow they started calling around to see
where in Tampa I could get the nerve block
done and it was going to cost somewhere in
the neighbourhood of $1,200 so I baulked
and then they found out that a new Dr. was
starting Thursday who could do it at LSI
(no cost) on Thursday so they made an
app't for Thursday morning for the nerve
block, with surgery scheduled later in the
day once they determined where. Anyhow on
Wed. they called me and said the nerve
block Dr. had arrived and could I come
right in and get the nerve block so I did
that, but after they were finished they
still weren't satisfied about where to
operate. They gave me an app't to come in
Thursday morning at 10a for some kind of
injections with surgery scheduled for the
afternoon.
At 5am today I woke up sick with some kind
of flu and am still sick so I had to
cancel my surgery so that is where things
stand at this point. They asked me to
call back when I feel well and they would
reschedule me. Needless to say I am very
disappointed that it isn't over and done,
but since I have had so many people
praying for me I have to take this as
being from the Lord.
Will keep you updated as to what happens.
Mare
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-18-08 07:46am
Hello Mare,
Thanks so much for your update. Sorry to
read about the problems you are having at
LSI. I hope you are feeling better today.
I(we) hope things get better for you and
that you can have your surgery shortly.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Take care.
RichT
|
Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
Mare Posted: 01-18-08 10:31am
thankyou for the update. We have all be
acutely aware that you were at LSI.
Mare, if they can't determine yet what to
do and now that you have a bit of the flu,
do you think you should get another
surgeon's opinion? What about that Dr.
Tolli who also does laser surgery there in
Florida. I can't remember where he is
located but I rememeber there was a poster
who saw him and had his surgery done
there. This poster has not posted for
awhile but at the time, he seemed to have
been "happy." that he went to him.
Maybe others can fill in where I can't
with information. It concerns me when
there is uncertainty about "where to
operate." From what I read on information
when Minimally Invasive using the
canuli's are concerned that they could
work either up or down on two levels that
are effected. That's what they did to me
at the Cleveland Clinic. My doctor worked
on L4 and L5 through an incision of
3inches.
Don't mean to upset you at this point in
time. You have had enought disappointment
thrown at you. Hope what ever you decide
turns out for the best.
Marie B.
Marie B.
|
Carrianne
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 09 Aug 2007 Posts: 107 Location: Tampa, FL
Posted: 01-18-08 11:18am
Mare,
Thanks so much for the update and I'm
sorry for the ordeal. Like I wrote in a
previous post, I know how draining the
process can be. And being sick on top of
it doesn't help things, but you've got the
right attitude about it, that's for sure!
The Lord just needs a little more time to
put everything "perfectly" into place for
you!
Best wishes to you and God bless,
Carrianne
|
littleonefb
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 206 Location: ,
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
Re: re my trip to LSI Posted: 01-18-08 18:48pm
jimare
wrote:
Hi all
Sorry for the delay in letting you know
what is going on, but have had a couple of
delays re my surgery at LSI. My
evaluation was on Mon and Tues and when I
got the results of my MRI I was rather
shocked to see just what a mess my spine
was. They determined that there were 2
severe problems..one at the L2/3 level and
one at the L3/4. The nerve roots were
being badly compressed. They decided that
they would do a nerve block to see if they
could decide which level was worse because
they only work on one level (and I sure
couldn't afford the 2nd operation).
Anyhow they started calling around to see
where in Tampa I could get the nerve block
done and it was going to cost somewhere in
the neighbourhood of $1,200 so I baulked
and then they found out that a new Dr. was
starting Thursday who could do it at LSI
(no cost) on Thursday so they made an
app't for Thursday morning for the nerve
block, with surgery scheduled later in the
day once they determined where. Anyhow on
Wed. they called me and said the nerve
block Dr. had arrived and could I come
right in and get the nerve block so I did
that, but after they were finished they
still weren't satisfied about where to
operate. They gave me an app't to come in
Thursday morning at 10a for some kind of
injections with surgery scheduled for the
afternoon.
At 5am today I woke up sick with some kind
of flu and am still sick so I had to
cancel my surgery so that is where things
stand at this point. They asked me to
call back when I feel well and they would
reschedule me. Needless to say I am very
disappointed that it isn't over and done,
but since I have had so many people
praying for me I have to take this as
being from the Lord.
Will keep you updated as to what happens.
Mare
Hi Mare,
I'm so sorry to hear about all of the
problems happening to you at LSI. I hope
by the time you are reading this, you're
flu type illness is passing and you are
feeling better.
I must agree, though, with Marie. There
are so many red flags flying right now,
that I seems prudent to me, that you stop
and give some careful thought to
continuing with the process and then
surgery at LSI.
At the very least, you need to wait until
you are well recovered from what ever
illness you have. Any surgery, especially
spinal surgery, is risky to have when you
have not been well. You need to be sure
you are fully recovered and and any and
all blood tests show that there is no
indication of any residual illness left
within your body. You need a full
functioning immune system working before
surgery.
As for the red flags flying, there are
many of them that are saying, to me, that
you need to really think about this very,
very carefully.
I am very puzzled at some of what you said
and some of it really doesn't make any
sense.
LSI does spinal injections and facet
injections but they didn't have anyone
that could do a nerve block? That doesn't
add up to me.
LSI had to search to find and outside
doctor to do the nerve block for you and
it was at an additional outside cost. For
sure you couldn't be the only patient they
have seen that has needed a nerve block
and they had no one who could do it for
you?
LSI employees didn't know until after they
told you about an additional cost of $1200
to an outside their facility doctor, that
a new one was starting that would be able
to do it? Again, that doesn't make any
sense to me at all. It really has me
questioning what is going on within this
facility.
LSI still couldn't decide what area to
operate on and they say that 2 areas are
severe. The nerve block didn't answer the
questions, so they want more injections to
be done, then surgery afterwards.
What if they determine the wrong area to
do and you need further surgery to correct
the problem? They do not do 2 areas at
once, hence a second surgery and surgery
charge, that you say you couldn't afford
the 2nd surgery. What if you really need
both surgeries and one surgery will not
bring you the relief that you need and
want?
What if these other injections are not
enough to give them the information they
need. Will they say it did and just do
surgery anyways in hopes that it helps
you?
Mare, I just think there are far too many
questions here for you to not have second
thoughts about going ahead with surgery
right now at LSI. It's a huge expense for
you to go ahead with, with all of these
questions looming over your head.
I strongly suggest, as Marie did, to get a
second opinion before you proceed with
surgery at LSI.
If you really do have 2 separate areas
that are severe, with 2 different areas of
badly compressed nerves, it sounds like
you will need both areas operated on.
Ignoring one severe area doesn't sound
like a good idea.
At the very least, I would try to see Dr.
Toli. I believe his offices are in St
Petersburg Florida. Since he also does
laser surgery, I believe, the opinions may
be very similar. On the other hand, they
may be different and provide a better
option for you.
Please give what I have said, as well as
what Marie has said, some serious thought,
before deciding on surgery.
Hope you are feeling better.
Fran
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
LSI Concerns Posted: 01-18-08 19:42pm
Hello Fran and Mare,
Fran, you stated the very same concerns
(red flags) that I felt as i was reading
Mare's post. Thank goodness you shared
them when I did not.
"LSI does spinal injections and facet
injections but they didn't have anyone
that could do a nerve block? That doesn't
add up to me." Doesn't add up to me
either. Two red flags!!!
"LSI had to search to find and outside
doctor to do the nerve block for you and
it was at an additional outside cost. For
sure you couldn't be the only patient they
have seen that has needed a nerve block
and they had no one who could do it for
you?" I have the same thoughts and
concerns. Two more red flags!!
"LSI employees didn't know until after
they told you about an additional cost of
$1200 to an outside their facility doctor,
that a new one was starting that would be
able to do it? Again, that doesn't make
any sense to me at all. It really has me
questioning what is going on within this
facility."
AMEN!!! That to me spells DISORGANIZATION
and POOR COMMUNICATION within the
organization. Two additional red flags!!
And it goes on.
Mare, I'm so very sorry to write the
above. Thank goodness for Fran having the
guts to write what she did for your "food
for thought".
I wish very much that all will work out
for you in good time. Fran, I, and all
here want only the very best for you
because we are CONCERNED. That is what
makes this spiney family so very special.
What other spiney family has had 27,000+
"visits"?
My thoughts and prayers continue to be
with you Mare.
RichT
|
littleonefb
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 206 Location: ,
Thanks: 5
Thanked:0
LSI Concerns Posted: 01-18-08 20:21pm
Rich, I'm so glad that I wasn't the only
one that really is seeing a ton of red
flags flying high and waving in the wind.
The more I think of what Mare posted the
more scared I am for her.
In the mean time, my hubby just spent the
last 20 minutes reading a few posts and
read and re-read Mares post several
times.
Hubby is an electrical engineer in his mid
60's. Very analytical as all electrical
engineers are. He is one of those that
read, re-read and re-read things, analyze
every little thing that he has read,
before he comments. Many times it is
enough to drive you nuts, but in this
case, I think he has a potential point
that neither of us have thought of.
His comments where this.
"OMG, this poor women better run for the
hills and get away from here as fast as
she possibly can. How messed up can this
place be with her case. Something is not
right here and sounds really dangerous to
proceed with anything further here.
They may not be like this with every
patient, but they sure have a problem when
a complicated case gets thrown at them.
OR" and this is where he came up with a
different thought than we had.
"Are they not really having as big a
problem as we think and are just trying to
find a way to get this poor women to have
2 surgeries instead of one, because it
sounds like that no matter which level
they operate on, it isn't going to do a
hills worth of beans to help her, because
they are saying that 2 levels are severe.
I remember your doctor saying that it is
fortunate that you only have one level
that is a problem. When we asked him why,
he said "because if 2 levels are involved
and both are really bad, you have to do
both levels or you really accomplish
nothing to really help the patient.
Relieving one level will only briefly
help, but it puts all the pressure then on
the remaining level that has a problem and
makes that level worse than it was before
doing anything with the other level." If
what your doctor said is true, and we have
no reason to believe it isn't, then this
poor women is going to end up in worse
shape than she was in before any surgery,
unless both levels are done. She can't
afford a second surgery at this place, she
said that. They are setting her up to be
emotionally forced to find a way to pay
for the second surgery, because no matter
what they do, it will only provide minimal
help to her. They are making her think
that they are trying their best to help
her, but they already know that the only
way to help her is to do 2 surgeries.
That is crazy to do, crazy to consent to
and she needs to find some other place to
help her before she is in worse shape than
she was to start with."
I just typed all of that as my hubby
spoke.
Rich, that is far more food for thought,
than either of us where thinking and I am
agreeing with my hubby on this one. It
really doesn't sound good.
Mare, I hope and pray that you are
listening to what we are saying and really
give this a lot of thought.
Fran
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-18-08 21:12pm
Hello Fran and Hubby too.
BINGO!!!!!! RIGHT ON my good EE. YES!!!!
TOTAL ANALYTICAL THINKING in a rational
logical manner. (I was an analytical
chemist so I can conect a bit, but not a
good as you have.)
I'm now not just concerned for Mare, but
fearful.
Thank you so very much for taking the time
to truly analyze the situation and to give
us this SUPERB feedback.
Fran, you have one fantastic EE. And me,
I research the H out of everything. But
I'm very disappointed in myself for having
missed what was in reality right in front
of me.
Again Fran, thanks for having the guts to
share that which I didn't for/to Mare.
RichT
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-18-08 21:24pm
Mare,
What Fran, her hubby, and I have shared
with you has not been easy in the sense
that we do not want to frighten you. And
yet the last thing is to see a potentially
bad situation develop for you.
Please communicate with us here at LSS, or
by PM if you so wish. We will try to
answer any and all of your questions that
we can. And those best answered by a
medical professional we will so tell you.
Thank goodness you have the weekend to
think things through.
As I'm typing the prayer E-mails to God
for you are flying fast and furious.
Take care, our wonderful Spiney family
friend.
MANY BEAR HUGS
RichT
|
Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 230 Location: Ohio
I'm afraid Posted: 01-18-08 22:17pm
I'm afraid that when we see red flags we
get so concerned and speak our minds, we
may frighten the person who has revealed
in detail about her spinal problem and
what the place of surgery advises or
doesn't advise. At the same time, I just
couldn't remain silent when I first read
Mare's post.
Look, for her to even be there, my guess
is she has already upfronted money to
LSI.
She has had to go a distance to get there
which is costly and has put money into
housing. Here we are warning her to get
another opinion for surgery. This is
going to very difficult for Mare, who is
in pain NOW, to do. And yet I believe it
is the very best we can do.. ... warn
her.
Rich, I once said to you that Joebob's
report of success on his Bonati experience
and his quick recovery would lead people
to think that this is an easy way out for
the spinal pain they were having. Now we
never hear from Joe Bob. I speak to a lot
of people who have spinal surgery and all
speak of that surgery as one they will
never forget. It scares me that Mare
could go into one surgery and find herself
post op in pain from the surgery ( with
all of those injections they do it will
only be temporary freedom from pain.) and
then find herself not being sure if she is
suffering more from the surgery or from
the other severe problem that they have
not taken care of.
I know a good surgeon would take care of
that all in one shot. I know a good
surgeon. Fran knows a good surgeon. We
know that barring falling, some clod
pushing running into us, or some other
such accident, any post op pain we have is
most likely due to the operation and with
time and patience and slow recovery there
will be a dawn from this difficult
experience and there will be no more money
asked of us for doing something that
should have been done in the first place.
I have come to believe that a person has
to have a "simple and uncomplicated" spine
problem to go to LSI. The least
complication, they have to send the
patient someplace else or to another
hospital which the patient probably has to
do on his/her own.
I am now 10 weeks out of surgery and every
day, I know I had my spine worked on. And
I know my doctor took care of all of the
problems because I have his written
surgical report. I am NOT in PAIN, but
when you talk to a lot of people, it takes
a very long time to recover and it is not
laser surgery that makes the recovery
quick. Laser surgery is used on soft
tissue but that is a small portion of what
spinal surgery is. I don't know if it is
the way of the future. If it were why
aren't there more doctors doing it. In
fact, the doctors that I have spoken to at
one of the most well know spinal
institutes in the nation, Cleveland
Clinic, do not use this mode for surgery.
It's not even on their calendar. They
think it is a "flashy" way of approaching
the work they dol And it is not like
lasering the eye or the ERCP type surgery
that they do for gallbladders and the
Arthoscopic surgery that is done on knee
joints. We are talking about the spinal
cord. That cord holds our lives in its
millions of electrical messages that run
in and out of its complicated system. One
wrong move by the surgeon and a patient
could die on the table.
I had a long talk with the Orthopedic
doctor who worked with my surgeon learning
spinal surgery and he spoke of the "rush"
a doctor gets once they enter the inner
sanctum where the cord resides and they
know "danger for their patient" can only
be prevented by their skill. It was a
very interesting discussion.
All I can say is for people to know that
Laser Surgery is not the panacea that many
of us thought it was. I rejoice when a
person comes out in good shape, free of
pain and no damage done. But we don't
hear a lot of information of their healing
process. They don't post the day to day
mindfulness that one who has spinal
surgery has of their spine. For most of
my life I never thought of my spine until
one day it said it was tired of my abusing
it with my activities and aging process.
Now it has turned into the only thing on
my mind even when I climb the steps, sit
in a chair, walk down the drive. I could
do none of this if my spine was at least
mending.
So Mare, be careful and think about what
we have said. You have to be uncertain
and a bit frightened as well as not
feeling well.
I hope Carrianne, our only Tampa spiney,
can give you as much hand holding as you
need. Meanwhile,
God Bless and we are thinking of you.
Marie B.
|
algosdoc
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 186
Posted: 01-23-08 20:24pm
Laser surgery can come in many forms but
usually it involves one of several
techniques:
1. BLIND (place a needle under fluoroscopy
then blindly pass the laser through the
needle into the disc to remove some normal
disc to permit some collapse of the
herniation into the cavity created). This
is the Choy technique using a NdYAG laser
with a dry disc or the new PL3D laser that
can heat up to 800 degrees C in the disc.
2. OPEN (using a NdYAG laser as one of
several tools in open surgery such as
microdiscectomy)
3. ENDOSCOPIC (using a HoYAG, CO2, or
other laser through an endoscope into the
disc. This includes the LASE system,
arthroscopic discectomy, SMALL, PLDD, or
selective endoscopic discectomy
techniques.) Martin Knight in Birmingham
England first expanded the technique to a
soft tissue foraminoplasty whereas in the
US, a powerful 100 watt double pulsed
HoYAG laser is being used to actually
carve out the bone in the neuroforamen.
Most surgeons do not go into the spinal
canal with laser surgery since the dura is
so close to the disc herniation that
penetration of the dura and subsequent
spinal nerve injury is possible. There
are some mechanical systems now in use
such as a 9mm diameter endoscopic system
with burrs and shavers used to open up the
neuroforamen, and occasionally one will
find the brave surgeons that develop their
own equipment using laser such as MS.
Laser surgery is a very expensive way to
carve out normal disc tissue from the
spine. It is low risk when used in that
manner, but if the laser is used directly
on the herniated disc, or in the spinal
canal, injury can result.
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-23-08 22:41pm
Hello Algosdoc,
Thank you for your post and the
information you provided. You seem to be
well informed. May I ask if you are a
doctor and if so, your area of expertise?
Most interesting that you should mention
Mr. Knight's name. You are only the
second person I know of who is aware of
his extensive work and his publications.
I look forward to your response with
interest.
RichT
|
algosdoc
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 186
Posted: 01-23-08 23:00pm
I have performed these procedures since
2001...
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-24-08 00:02am
Hello Algosdoc,
THANKS MUCH!!!! You are going to be a
very valuable resource for us. I hope you
are ready for all the questions. LOL
Have a GREAT Day!
RichT
|
algosdoc
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 186
Posted: 01-24-08 07:09am
A couple of comments based on my perusal
of this site:
1. Laser surgery is frequently not paid
for by insurance because laser surgeons
have never performed a RCT (randomized
controlled trial) which is the gold
standard for research. Since there have
been hundreds of thousands of laser
surgeries performed with not one RCT, it
makes (and should make) the insurers very
suspicious of the technique. The reason
some docs charge astronomical amounts for
an unproven surgery is not because it
works so well, but because of lack of
regulation of the procedure. It is just
slick advertising guys...there are no
magic bullets. Nearly all laser surgeons
for the spine do not work in hospitals
because hospitals would not grant them
privileges to do the same surgery.
2. One cannot clean out dead tissue and
debris in the facet joints with a laser
without permanently damaging the cartilage
and potentially damaging the joints later
in life. Facet joints are curved
structures. Lasers fire light in a
straight line- ie. directly into the wall
of the facet joint.
3. The assertion has been made that scar
tissue in the spine can be removed via
laser. True. And it grows back
immediately. There are no magic bullets.
4. If there are complications that occur
at these institutes, you may find yourself
having to frequently fly back to their
institute for treatment since many local
surgeons will not touch you once you have
gone to a laser spine center that
advertises on the internet and on TV. I
have had patients tell me horror stories
of complications that occurred at these
centers with inadequate care rendered
thereafter.
5. Be realistic. Don't you think if these
surgeries worked so well that all surgeons
would be using them? There are very few
surgeons employing these techniques across
the country for good reason, and it is not
because the laser surgeons have secret
skills that other surgeons don't. It is
because laser surgeons charging
astronomical sums of money for
non-hospital procedures that have not been
proven to work may be cowboys or
charlatans or both. There is certainly a
place for laser surgery but it must be
kept in context and should employ a
reasonable charge. Ask the laser surgeons
for their outcome studies on their
patients and they will give you a blank
stare...most do not follow outcomes. Here
is their logic: patient comes to me across
the country for my laser surgery because I
am so good- patient has surgery- patient
leaves and never comes back- therefore the
surgery was a success....... The
patient's are not followed, even with a
simple telephone call, for 6 months and a
year later. So be forewarned when going
to laser centers across the country you
are stepping into the wild wild west with
surgeons that operate by the seat of their
pants rather than by collecting data on
outcomes. Some people mortgage their
homes in hope of a quick fix when several
other traditional surgeons have told the
patient no surgery is indicated. Use of a
laser is not magical, does not result in
less scar tissue than traditional surgery,
and can result in identical complications
to traditional surgery. The uses of laser
surgery have been expanded well beyond
what traditional surgeons would use
because 1. there is no one looking over
the shoulders of these laser surgeons to
assure quality or that they are doing the
surgery for an accepted reason (patients
pay cash so there is no insurance company
involvement with their requirement of
proof of effectiveness of a given
procedure) 2. laser surgeons often
mistake minor aberrations in anatomy for
pain producing pathology and operate for
the wrong reasons.
I am not down on laser surgery and perform
it myself, but one must be aware of its
limitations, indications, and the schtick
being used by flashy advertisers of the
technique. It is not a panacea and will
not "fix" anyone anymore than traditional
surgery. Effectively the recovery times
being shorter is the only real advantage.
|
RichT
Active User, Really EHEALTHy
Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 901
Thanks: 21
Thanked:0
Posted: 01-24-08 09:22am
Hello Algosdoc,
Thank you very much for your very thought
provoking post regarding laser spine
surgery.
YOU are the ONLY doctor that has spelled
out in analytical thoughtful words about
the "situation" regarding the use of
lasers by some spine institutes. No other
spinal surgeon who I have visited has done
so. You have made my day!!!
"one must be aware of its limitations,
indications,------" You hit my "nerve"
with that statement. I was an analytical
research chemist in my working day. YES,
there is no one "magical" way to doing
things. No technique can be used for
everything. One MUST not only know of
what a technique can do, but one must ALSO
know its limitations.
Thanks again for your very insightful
message. The only comment I get from any
neurologist/spinal surgeon is "Laser
surger is not for your back", or "laser
surgery doesn't work":. End of
conversation. THAT is NOT an adequate
answer for this old researcher!!!
As I'm sure you have noted in reading
through some of this thread, some have
reported successful treatment with laser
spine surgery. Their experience and
continued updates are invaluable for those
of us who post here as well as those who
just "listen in".
We welcome you as a part of our Spiney
family, though I hope your back is fine.
