Yes, his honesty is refreshing, i would trust this man to sort my slightly suspect spine, after 2 separate whiplash injuries from motorcycle accidents i,m really feeling it now and they were 10 plus years ago.
THANKS FOR SPEAKING OPENLY AND HONESTLY...about all the problems, complications, alternatives+ for cervical fusion! You taught me to think about my oncoming cervical surgery and to talk more with my surgeon to get more answers! Please do a followup UA-cam video and tell us more about disc replacement--you are the first person to mention it! Matsuko and Harry Brooks
I wish all doctors were like you! I would love to have disc replacement on one or two levels. However, I've consulted with five different surgeons and they all say that fusion of 2-4 levels is the only way to fix my problem, but ... none of them want to do a fusion on me because I'm "young" (53 y/o). They all want me to have ESI, which doesn't take away all of the pain and numbness in my arms/hands; and the steroids have caused me to gain significant weight (not to mention the fact that steroids weaken bones, ligaments and tendons). So, I am doomed to go through the next however many years with radiculopathy in both arms/hands that makes it difficult for me to exercise, lose weight, and just enjoy my life.
On March 8 2023 I had a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy on C3 to C 7 without fusion. In 2005 I had a Anterior fusion on C3-4. My present surgeon here in San Antonio said the earlier surgery may have contributed to the damage. However I have to search high and low about any information on youtube about this. Thanks so much.
Excellent clip!! Thank you for the info! I currently have a c7-t1 herniation. Fortunately, I’m pain free 95% of the time. However, the degree of paresthesia to my right pinky and ring finger bothers me some days. Plus it affects my sleep. Try to catch the benefit of stem production via fasting and start occupational therapy. I did 4 weeks times 3 days/week of physical therapy. I got stronger but my symptoms worsened. Still, pain free about 95% of the time. Fighting hard not to get an ACDF. I was told due to the level Of my herniation, I’m not a candidate for CDR.
78 year old about to be scheduled for an ACDF due to MRI confirming myelopathy symptoms such as balance issues, tingling in limbs, degraded fine motor skills, muscle weakness but importantly no pain. Three docs have said surgery is a must as the spinal cord itself is at risk, especially in case of an accident or fall. The last doc implied this 2 level ACDF is like a walk in the park. Really? Processing the likely cost - benefit analyses is keeping me up at night. 🤔
Did you end up doing it? To be honest if I was 78 and had no pain I don't think ide do it. You have some dexterity issues, but don't mant people at 78? They want me to do a cervical fusion. I'm only considering it because I'm in PAIN. pain is the worst because it follows you everywhere and there's no escape from it.
@@imveryhungry112 Thanks for your note. Surgery postponed indefinetly last week as my wife's health suddenly worsened and I need to be here able to help her with daily activities. So far no better nor worse for me. Easy decision for still no pain. I hope you feel better soon with or without surgery.
@michaelkelly7740 I'm so sorry about your wife. I will say a prayer for her improvement my friend. And regarding the fusion, I'm trying to avoid as long as possible. May I ask, when did you first know you had neck issues? What year etc? From what I can tell , the neck arthritis progresses pretty slowly for the most part.
@@imveryhungry112 2021 is my best guess-- woke up in the middle of the night with a numb arm. Getting to a solid diagnosis took longer than normal because I couldn't have an MRI until I received a new pacemaker. Looking back over the past two years symptoms are either static or very slowly getting worse. In short, a sudden big change followed by very slow change. Thanks for your kind thoughts about my wife.
Doctor thank you so much I appreciate your advice and who better to give advice than from an expert I got a herniated disc need surgery the surgeon put paperwork in for the insurance company for surgery and I’m gonna I make sure it’s not a fusion and I want the disc replaced my surgeon didn’t tell me which one he’s going to do but after watching your video I’m going to tell him I want disc replacement God bless you thank you for your advice
Рік тому+2
If discs have herniated (not just bulging) and you've lost "height", aren't you at a higher risk of the adjacent discs herniating as well down the road, anyway? And needing surgery eventually, anyway?
I've had chiropracters,physical therapy wasn't doing nothing its just money money and very expensive and don't do nothing.also had acupunture,also had neck injections,block injection.and now I have headaches,blurry vision,lots of neck pain,and burning in the skull.last week my neck got completely locked up I couldn't move.
I did a bad summersult. Im told I have a life threatening injury between my c1 and base of skull....Also my C1- C2 - C5 - C6 - C7 I'm told need to be fused. My atlas is quite screwed to. The thing is....I found out about this injury 14 days being released twice from the hospital with CT scan, xray, and mri......nothing but a neck muscle strain. I go to get a second opinion from an Orthopedic Surgeon....and he said my injury is so bad I need all that fused and it was a malpractice case against the hospital I went to because he saw my injuries from the hospital CT scan and mri. I had the hospital make report copies and gave them to the chiropractor. I wanted a second opinion because I did the summersult March 18....I went to the hospital April 11th and April 14th.... I didn't believe all I had/have was a "neck muscle strain". So I contacted an upper cervical April 25th chiropractor who took his own pictures and sent me immediately to the Orthopedic Surgeon. He did a flex test photos?....I had to look all the way up and all the way down when those photos were taken.
My problem is I still have a lot of neck movement...and the pain is insane...but I really dont believe fusion is the best option and everyone is telling me I need to get it done...(family! because....we trust doctors right?) My gut instinct is dont get it done. Yheres something else. When I hold my head off my spine it relieves a lot of the pain....but yeah 10/10 but im still exercising, working out, yard work. My neck must stay supported by foam wraps or the aspen collar the surgeon gave me. Some days my neck feels better without either. There are days where its real awful. BUT.....the right muscle that goes from my top of shoulder to back of the middle head keeps tightening and thats causing massive pain.
Hi Doc! why would you recommend a disc replacement over a posterior microdiscectomy that preserves the natural disc? I have a c6/7 herniated disc and was recommended a posterior endoscopic microdiscectomy.
I had two discs fused 9 years ago. Now I have a pinched nerve with pain down my arm and back. I have tried shots and pt but it keeps returning. I have fear of getting two more discs fused or all four being redone. I am taking Gabapentin and it helps but I can’t live on that forever. I am 75. Any thoughts?
When you get your spine infused. Is four wheeling and off roading still a option or is it dangerous for people with infusion in the upper neck or lower spine. My father is getting a infusion soon. He doesn't have a disc in between his upper spine in his neck and they want to infusion and hes older then 50
Are you poss confusing infusion with fusion? Spinal infusion is a procedure wherein a pump injects/infuses pain relieving medication. It sounds like your dad is much more likely being recommended to have a spinal fusion wherein a space is created where your dad has no disc currently and the adjacent discs are fused together. It is a very common procedure with a very high success rate. C-level disc problems below 3 (-4,5,6,7) have more treatment options. Research and get a great surgeon in your area and it will almost certainly go well with only very slight, if any, limitations on your dad's activities.
lived with DDD for 30 or more years. i'm 68yo now. it is worse in my neck and the pain in the past has traveled down arms and fingers - today, however, the immense pain hits my cheek, jaw and back teeth and headache on one side. Anyone here care to say which disc number is giving me these symptoms and would i be a candidate for disk replacement or would fusion be required? Thanks
In 2018 I had two Mobi-C artificial disks put in. I needed a third at the time, but the insurance company wouldn't pay for it. So, my surgeon said I could come back in a year and we could do the third. I wasn't able to get to the third until 2023. Now, BCBS said they will not pay for a Mobi-C if two levels had already been done previously. They eliminated the option for a third artificial disk altogether since then. I missed my chance. So my only option this time was a fusion of 6/7. I had that done a week ago. Still wearing a neck brace and expect to fir many more weeks. Not the case with Mobi-C. Insurance companies practice medicine without a license. The best outcome was denied for dollars sake, not outcome. The US healthcare system is massively broken. If you want the best you will have to live in a country like Germany. Here, if you need three levels, you might get two, but you will have to settle for less mobility and a more involved recovery time by having a fusion done on one of the levels.
I have a herniated disc on my lower back and drop foot on my left leg and 4,5,6 on the neck area Doctor said my spine xray showed that the hole is small and said that I need a spine fusion. I don't like to the sound of surgery Would chiropractic help me?Would like your opinion.
Yes, his honesty is refreshing, i would trust this man to sort my slightly suspect spine, after 2 separate whiplash injuries from motorcycle accidents i,m really feeling it now and they were 10 plus years ago.
THANKS FOR SPEAKING OPENLY AND HONESTLY...about all the problems, complications, alternatives+ for cervical fusion! You taught me to think about my oncoming cervical surgery and to talk more with my surgeon to get more answers! Please do a followup UA-cam video and tell us more about disc replacement--you are the first person to mention it! Matsuko and Harry Brooks
I wish all doctors were like you!
I would love to have disc replacement on one or two levels. However, I've consulted with five different surgeons and they all say that fusion of 2-4 levels is the only way to fix my problem, but ... none of them want to do a fusion on me because I'm "young" (53 y/o). They all want me to have ESI, which doesn't take away all of the pain and numbness in my arms/hands; and the steroids have caused me to gain significant weight (not to mention the fact that steroids weaken bones, ligaments and tendons). So, I am doomed to go through the next however many years with radiculopathy in both arms/hands that makes it difficult for me to exercise, lose weight, and just enjoy my life.
On March 8 2023 I had a Posterior Cervical Laminectomy on C3 to C 7 without fusion. In 2005 I had a Anterior fusion on C3-4. My present surgeon here in San Antonio said the earlier surgery may have contributed to the damage. However I have to search high and low about any information on youtube about this. Thanks so much.
Excellent clip!!
Thank you for the info!
I currently have a c7-t1 herniation. Fortunately, I’m pain free 95% of the time. However, the degree of paresthesia to my right pinky and ring finger bothers me some days. Plus it affects my sleep.
Try to catch the benefit of stem production via fasting and start occupational therapy. I did 4 weeks times 3 days/week of physical therapy. I got stronger but my symptoms worsened. Still, pain free about 95% of the time.
Fighting hard not to get an ACDF. I was told due to the level
Of my herniation, I’m not a candidate for CDR.
I adore this doctor. Thank you for such an amazing video.
78 year old about to be scheduled for an ACDF due to MRI confirming myelopathy symptoms such as balance issues, tingling in limbs, degraded fine motor skills, muscle weakness but importantly no pain. Three docs have said surgery is a must as the spinal cord itself is at risk, especially in case of an accident or fall. The last doc implied this 2 level ACDF is like a walk in the park. Really? Processing the likely cost - benefit analyses is keeping me up at night. 🤔
Did you end up doing it? To be honest if I was 78 and had no pain I don't think ide do it. You have some dexterity issues, but don't mant people at 78? They want me to do a cervical fusion. I'm only considering it because I'm in PAIN. pain is the worst because it follows you everywhere and there's no escape from it.
@@imveryhungry112 Thanks for your note. Surgery postponed indefinetly last week as my wife's health suddenly worsened and I need to be here able to help her with daily activities. So far no better nor worse for me. Easy decision for still no pain. I hope you feel better soon with or without surgery.
@michaelkelly7740 I'm so sorry about your wife. I will say a prayer for her improvement my friend. And regarding the fusion, I'm trying to avoid as long as possible. May I ask, when did you first know you had neck issues? What year etc? From what I can tell , the neck arthritis progresses pretty slowly for the most part.
@@imveryhungry112 2021 is my best guess-- woke up in the middle of the night with a numb arm. Getting to a solid diagnosis took longer than normal because I couldn't have an MRI until I received a new pacemaker. Looking back over the past two years symptoms are either static or very slowly getting worse. In short, a sudden big change followed by very slow change. Thanks for your kind thoughts about my wife.
@@imveryhungry112shutupTROLL
Thank you for the information there not a lot of Dr. That tell you the way it is.
Doctor thank you so much I appreciate your advice and who better to give advice than from an expert I got a herniated disc need surgery the surgeon put paperwork in for the insurance company for surgery and I’m gonna I make sure it’s not a fusion and I want the disc replaced my surgeon didn’t tell me which one he’s going to do but after watching your video I’m going to tell him I want disc replacement God bless you thank you for your advice
If discs have herniated (not just bulging) and you've lost "height", aren't you at a higher risk of the adjacent discs herniating as well down the road, anyway? And needing surgery eventually, anyway?
I've had chiropracters,physical therapy wasn't doing nothing its just money money and very expensive and don't do nothing.also had acupunture,also had neck injections,block injection.and now I have headaches,blurry vision,lots of neck pain,and burning in the skull.last week my neck got completely locked up I couldn't move.
I did a bad summersult. Im told I have a life threatening injury between my c1 and base of skull....Also my C1- C2 - C5 - C6 - C7 I'm told need to be fused. My atlas is quite screwed to. The thing is....I found out about this injury 14 days being released twice from the hospital with CT scan, xray, and mri......nothing but a neck muscle strain.
I go to get a second opinion from an Orthopedic Surgeon....and he said my injury is so bad I need all that fused and it was a malpractice case against the hospital I went to because he saw my injuries from the hospital CT scan and mri. I had the hospital make report copies and gave them to the chiropractor. I wanted a second opinion because I did the summersult March 18....I went to the hospital April 11th and April 14th....
I didn't believe all I had/have was a "neck muscle strain". So I contacted an upper cervical April 25th chiropractor who took his own pictures and sent me immediately to the Orthopedic Surgeon. He did a flex test photos?....I had to look all the way up and all the way down when those photos were taken.
My problem is I still have a lot of neck movement...and the pain is insane...but I really dont believe fusion is the best option and everyone is telling me I need to get it done...(family! because....we trust doctors right?) My gut instinct is dont get it done. Yheres something else. When I hold my head off my spine it relieves a lot of the pain....but yeah 10/10 but im still exercising, working out, yard work. My neck must stay supported by foam wraps or the aspen collar the surgeon gave me. Some days my neck feels better without either. There are days where its real awful. BUT.....the right muscle that goes from my top of shoulder to back of the middle head keeps tightening and thats causing massive pain.
@@TheNosePicklerhi oujia ! How's your neck now ? Any updates?
What about if you suffer atrophy affecting triceps?
Hi Doc! why would you recommend a disc replacement over a posterior microdiscectomy that preserves the natural disc? I have a c6/7 herniated disc and was recommended a posterior endoscopic microdiscectomy.
why dont use a laser to repair the disc like deuk spine institute god put the disc their
I had two discs fused 9 years ago. Now I have a pinched nerve with pain down my arm and back. I have tried shots and pt but it keeps returning. I have fear of getting two more discs fused or all four being redone. I am taking Gabapentin and it helps but I can’t live on that forever. I am 75. Any thoughts?
I have a c1-c4 fusion at 30 from a bicycle accident. I have the option of having it removed. Would you? Minimal pain with loss of motion.
So unless the patient really needs this don't do it?
Get a fusion you feel better 😊 if neck hurt do fusion immediately 😊
When you get your spine infused. Is four wheeling and off roading still a option or is it dangerous for people with infusion in the upper neck or lower spine. My father is getting a infusion soon. He doesn't have a disc in between his upper spine in his neck and they want to infusion and hes older then 50
Are you poss confusing infusion with fusion? Spinal infusion is a procedure wherein a pump injects/infuses pain relieving medication. It sounds like your dad is much more likely being recommended to have a spinal fusion wherein a space is created where your dad has no disc currently and the adjacent discs are fused together. It is a very common procedure with a very high success rate. C-level disc problems below 3 (-4,5,6,7) have more treatment options. Research and get a great surgeon in your area and it will almost certainly go well with only very slight, if any, limitations on your dad's activities.
lived with DDD for 30 or more years. i'm 68yo now. it is worse in my neck and the pain in the past has traveled down arms and fingers - today, however, the immense pain hits my cheek, jaw and back teeth and headache on one side.
Anyone here care to say which disc number is giving me these symptoms and would i be a candidate for disk replacement or would fusion be required?
Thanks
You just need spine fusion 😊
In 2018 I had two Mobi-C artificial disks put in. I needed a third at the time, but the insurance company wouldn't pay for it. So, my surgeon said I could come back in a year and we could do the third. I wasn't able to get to the third until 2023. Now, BCBS said they will not pay for a Mobi-C if two levels had already been done previously. They eliminated the option for a third artificial disk altogether since then. I missed my chance. So my only option this time was a fusion of 6/7. I had that done a week ago. Still wearing a neck brace and expect to fir many more weeks. Not the case with Mobi-C.
Insurance companies practice medicine without a license. The best outcome was denied for dollars sake, not outcome. The US healthcare system is massively broken. If you want the best you will have to live in a country like Germany. Here, if you need three levels, you might get two, but you will have to settle for less mobility and a more involved recovery time by having a fusion done on one of the levels.
Ugggg so much mixed messages out there. Uggggg.
I have a herniated disc on my lower back and drop foot on my left leg and 4,5,6 on the neck area Doctor said my spine xray showed that the hole is small and said that I need a spine fusion. I don't like to the sound of surgery Would chiropractic help me?Would like your opinion.