Degenerative Disc Disease Support Group
Degeneration of the intervertebral disc, which is often called "degenerative disc disease" (DDD) of the spine, DDD is in fact a condition that can be painful and can greatly affect the quality of one's life. While disc degeneration is not a normal part of aging and for most people is not a problem, for certain individuals a degenerated disc can cause severe constant...
Hi All:
I was diagnosed with DDD about five years ago. I have some questions about surgical options, and I'm asking them because of what I've found out so far, and it's just leaving me more confused.
About seven months ago, I started having pain in my right shoulder, down through my arm, to my thumb, index, and middle fingers. An MRI revealed that the discs between C4 & C5, and C5 & C6 were impinging on my spinal cord. Naturally, I did some research, and found a site called the "Laser Spine Institute". The site claims that the surgery they perform, is better than getting your spine fused, because they only drill a small hole through the back of your neck, then use a laser to remove the bulging part of the disc, and then sew you up, and that recovery is only a few weeks vs. having a fusion done.
I asked the first doc I went to, and he had never heard of this proceedure (it's apparently pretty new). The second doc I went to for a second opinion, claimed it was a "scam", and that even with this surgery, people wind up getting the fusion done eventually anyway - but, to be honest, that wouldn't actually surprise me at all since DDD continues to progress over time.
Friends/family say that I should NOT get the fusion, as it will not work, but only one of them has actually had the surgery that I am aware of, and he says that the fusion did not provide full relief from the pain.
So, here are my questions:
If you have had surgery through the LSI - specifically a discectomy, laminotomy, or foraminotomy, what were your opinions on the success/failure of these proceedures. If you've had fusion of the spine through another doc/medical facility, what were your opinions on it?
Even more importantly, if you've had BOTH, which was more successful/beneficial, lasted longer before more issues arrived, and how was your recovery?
My biggest concern, is that I ride a motorcycle, and typically participate in higher-risk activities. I don't want to jeopardize my abilty to participate in any of these, and for now, I can put up with the relatively minor pain and discomfort.
Any input you provide is greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
BlackWolf
A nerve conduction test to see if there are damaged nerves. From what you describe I would say no to the laser spine institute.
Sometime it can get a little confusing on infringing the forarminal canal and the spinal canal. Do you have a copy of your MRI report from the radiologist? That little 1-2 page report will give you the information you need to know. If you don't get it from the facility that did your MRI.
For me it is not a pretty picture. At least all contained in foraminal canal and nothing impinging on spinal canal.
Every cervical disc I have is damaged. I flunked the nerve conduction test C6-7.
That means most of the time my pinkie is numb and I have an area in my shoulder is numb. Due to the rotten cervical disc I would only have surgery if something was impinginging on my spinal cord. If I had surgery it would be posterior and very
painful with a long recovery. A rod supporting my neck.
Healing wishes
hippy