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Are most spine surgery unsatisfactory? & what about endoscopic surgery regarding the spine?
It's absolutely true that SOME spine surgeries do not give a satisfactory result and equally true, imo, that the majority DO have good results.
A difficulty in operating on the spine, is that while a surgeon can take pressure off of a nerve - recovery of a nerve is basically up to the nerve. Spine surgery is not like, for example, general surgery in which an offensive appendix or gall bladder that is causing pain can be removed.
That being said…spine surgery in the hands of an experienced surgeon has excellent results. And, part of that experience is making good decisions as to who will benefit from surgery and who will not. For example, a patient with leg pain from diabetes with a herniated disc could have surgery, but not be any better. A good surgeon will check for other conditions like this, that may affect recovery.
Another factor in success is timing of surgery. It's a balance between giving enough time to try conservative things (not rushing into surgery) and not letting nerves be compressed for so long that their recovery is less likely.
As for endoscopic surgery of the spine…in my opinion, spine surgery is very dependent on touch. The surgeon uses instruments to "feel" the space around the nerves to be sure they are decompressed and this is less easily done through a scope. With use of a microscope however, many procedures are done through much smaller incisions than years ago and many are outpatient surgeries now.
Hope this helps!
January 28th, 2009
had 2 discectomies,2 years apart…a little stiff,but back to work 3 years now…beats walking with a cane and popping percocets all day…
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January 28th, 2009
Endoscopic spinal surgery specially discectomy grossly reduced post operative morbidity.
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January 28th, 2009
It's absolutely true that SOME spine surgeries do not give a satisfactory result and equally true, imo, that the majority DO have good results.
A difficulty in operating on the spine, is that while a surgeon can take pressure off of a nerve - recovery of a nerve is basically up to the nerve. Spine surgery is not like, for example, general surgery in which an offensive appendix or gall bladder that is causing pain can be removed.
That being said…spine surgery in the hands of an experienced surgeon has excellent results. And, part of that experience is making good decisions as to who will benefit from surgery and who will not. For example, a patient with leg pain from diabetes with a herniated disc could have surgery, but not be any better. A good surgeon will check for other conditions like this, that may affect recovery.
Another factor in success is timing of surgery. It's a balance between giving enough time to try conservative things (not rushing into surgery) and not letting nerves be compressed for so long that their recovery is less likely.
As for endoscopic surgery of the spine…in my opinion, spine surgery is very dependent on touch. The surgeon uses instruments to "feel" the space around the nerves to be sure they are decompressed and this is less easily done through a scope. With use of a microscope however, many procedures are done through much smaller incisions than years ago and many are outpatient surgeries now.
Hope this helps!
References :
Neurosurgery Nurse
January 28th, 2009
FlyGirl24 said it all.
I'm a surgical technologist and have also had family/friends who underwent spinal surgeries with EXCELLENT results.
I think you may be remembering the "old days" (not too many years ago!!) when spinal surgery was only undertaken in the most dire situations.
These days, advances in instrumentation / equipment /
technique offer great relief to people EVERY DAY in the OR
I work in, and our hospital isn't huge compared to a lot of others…
Tell your dr. your concerns and let him/her address them.
I believe your fears can be eased to your satisfaction.
Good Luck!
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Personal & Professional Experience
January 28th, 2009
Spine surgery is very safe nowadays. My cousin got her Spine surgery in India by the company called Dheeraj Bojwani Consultants .The Price for the surgery she paid in India was very less. She paid 25 % of the cost she was quoted in America.
Dheeraj Bojwani Consultants is very famous in India. They arrange spine surgery for foreigners in India. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories. They arrange financing for USA, Canadian, UK and other international patients who plan to have surgery abroad for low price, as Spine and other orthopedic surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. There are huge cost savings. As a doctor I personally believe that surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available In India is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.
http://www.dheerajbojwani.com
Hope this helps.
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