4 replies to this topic

[ClaraTaylor]

Yesterday I saw the specialist.
Long story short I found out that the spinal cord damage /should/ only be "minimal"! However what is causing the "new" damage / complications / loss of mobility etc is because a disc that we all knew was worn out (collapsed) also protrudes out of the back and onto the spinal cord.

Nice for letting me know that!!

I've been given the option of having the disc replacement (Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham). Has anyone had it done? Know anyone whose had it done? Heard anything about it?

Which of course prevents any more damage.... unless it goes wrong.

The alternative is that we mask the pain with another attempt at epidurals...

... Or of course we leave it and carry on with the pain killers.

Anyone care to offer some advice. Please?

[greybeard]

ClaraTaylor, on Dec 4 2009, 08:17 AM, said:

Yesterday I saw the specialist.
Long story short I found out that the spinal cord damage /should/ only be "minimal"! However what is causing the "new" damage / complications / loss of mobility etc is because a disc that we all knew was worn out (collapsed) also protrudes out of the back and onto the spinal cord.

Nice for letting me know that!!

I've been given the option of having the disc replacement (Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham). Has anyone had it done? Know anyone whose had it done? Heard anything about it?

Which of course prevents any more damage.... unless it goes wrong.

The alternative is that we mask the pain with another attempt at epidurals...

... Or of course we leave it and carry on with the pain killers.

Anyone care to offer some advice. Please?

Did some Googling and unearthed some links for you to look at:

http://www.thephysio...lacement-advice
http://www.spinaluni...Replacement.htm
http://www.arc.org.u...today/138_1.asp
http://www.adrsupportuk.com/
http://www.pulsetoda...;sectioncode=19
http://www.spinal-fo...icle.asp?id=102
http://www.pssjourna.../content/3/1/15

If I was in your shoes, I would definitely opt for the disc replacement According to the literature, the disc replacement has the potential for you to regain everything you lost and to be pain free.

It would seem to be a no-brainer for someone as young and active as you are, as either of the alternatives are, at most, temporary fixes.

ps............and NO! I won't want to buy the FreeWheel back when you no longer need it!!!

[Tetracyclone]

Clara,

I had one disk replaced with my initial repair, so no comparison. Check surgeon's reputation. Ask him what percentage is his success rate.

Anyway, my excellent Taiwanese surgeon said I would lose 5% rotation (neck) for each vertebra. 3.

I gained a couple of degrees- I suspect he locked out some chronic muscle tension.

If you go through with it we will come party at the hospital and bring a 1:24 model steam roller to smooth out any BS you might encounter. Skype conference call for your fans from USA and Australia.
Skype wine. Skype crackers. 2 dimentioal cheese at 1:2.

Pwuff

[ClaraTaylor]

Thanks both of you.

It is a very strange sensation that I might actually regain most of what I have lost in the past year (injury happened in 2004 but it's not been until now that the mobility has actually been a problem - before I just looked drunk when I walked). Even some would be quite enjoyable!

I have googled until my eyes hurt. So has my mother - however she insists on looking for the negative stuff to "try and get a balanced view". Or in other terms - scare me out of it yet she wasn't too worried by the whole putting a huge needle into my spinal area!

Ｗｅ’ｌｌ　ｓｅｅ　ｗｈａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｏｃｔｏｒ　ｓａｙｓ．

[ClaraTaylor]

Evening all. I've had too many pain killers trying to kill a current flare up of "ouch" and my brain is working on 5% capacity so please excuse my lack of intelligence today.

Some one asked me and now I'm not entirely sure of the answer.

Spinal cords don't heal right?
So if I have the operation and remove the offending disc of much annoyance my ability to run a mile wont magically return will it? Pain and inflammation wise all will be wonderful but on the mobility front how much should I expect to return?

Yours,
me x x