pain but don't need surgery?

Question

I have been in pain from a large herniated cisk in my cervical for about 2 years now due to an auto accident. I have had mris, physical therapy, accupuncture, cortizone shots,and facet blocks. All with no releif. I was sent to a neurosergeon by my spinal surgeon. He says that i dont need surgery unless i can't move my legs or if i can't control my bowels.so what do i do now? The large herniated disc is pressing on my nerve canal and is causing great pain at times. Has anyone out there experienced anything like this? HELP

Answer 1

Cervical disc is in your neck. I have a prolapsed Disc in my lower spine and they have me on Fentanyl Patches, rather than surgery. They will not consider surgery unless I loose my bowel and bladder function, as the prolapse is edging towards the spinal canal. Cauda Equine Syndrome. I am surprised that your Neurosurgeon has not started you on Fentanyl, especially as he has ruled out surgery if you are at risk of loosing your bowel and bladder. Good Luck

Answer 2

Whenever you have something taken out after a surgical procedure , it is a must that a biopsy is done.Biopsy is when the tissue is preserved and analyzed thru a microscope to see what is the nature of the disease and is the basis of the doctors diagnosis. The fluid taken is also analyzed the same way. Getting the proper diagnosis will lead to proper treatment.Even if the disease is not malignant or cancerous, the wounds while healing sometimes attach to each other and you get postoperative adhesions causing signs and symptoms of obstruction. The most helpful exam is the Barium enema since the signs are lower in the abdomen. They will introduce barium, a fluid thru your anus and it will show as opacity or white in the xray film. Where it doesnt flow straight is where there is no traffic flow of intestinal contents.When the traffic is at a stoodstill or bottleneck , the contents at the back struggle hard to get thru and you get real crampy pain. Soft diet while waiting for your exam. Hope everything will turn out all right but get your biopsy results.

Answer 3

I have friends who have some back problems. My suggestion is to go get another opinion from a different neurosurgeon (preferably one that is not in the same practice of the doctor you already saw) to see what they think. Ask them about a type of MRI called fonar MRI which allows them to be able to take pictures of the area in a sit down position, stand up position, in addition to the traditional lying down position.

Something I read about this type of MRI is that they are finding that having this kind of MRI available can make it easier to make a diagnosis.

I'm considering this as a possibility for one of my health issues.

Answer 4

Definitely get a second opinion.. For more information about spinal surgeries, visit here: http://www.healthbase.com/resources/spinal/