It would be a good idea to check out the scans to see exactly what kind of fracture we're dealing with. Either vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty could likely fix the issue and help dial back that pain. I believe this is only handled at Trauma—within the Medicare system. If you're looking at private options, Dr. Drazen Kvesic is the one to see.
It really depends on the department, the specific facility, and the doctor you end up seeing—it's not one-size-fits-all. Generally speaking, though, I’ve been very happy with my experiences across both the private sector and the Department of Health and Human Services.
"Histologically, there are sections of a polypoid formation composed of mildly dilated crypts lined by regular mucinous cylindrical epithelium. The surrounding stroma shows an abundant inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells, eosinophils, and neutrophils."
I'm looking for a solid internist or gastroenterologist—and when I say "solid," I don't mean someone who's just famous on TV or chasing titles. I'm talking about a doctor who actually stays on top of their field, keeps up with the latest research, and uses modern treatment techniques. Anywhere in Washington, D.C., or any other major US city works for me. Thanks!
It happens way more often than people think—honestly, I feel like there's a really thin line between an actual medical error and just a standard complication. Another issue is that doctors end up clashing over all sorts of non-medical interests, too. Then there's the third problem: trying to prove anything requires expert testimony, which just drags you right back into those other conflicts I mentioned.
Brandon Diaz29 said:Basically, I need to get spine surgery ASAP. My L4-L5 has a 3.3 mm bulge, and there's a 12.0 mm dorzomedial protrusion at L5-S1—it’s pressing on the cauda and both S1 nerve roots. In short, it's a mess. I’ve had CT scans and MRIs done, and everyone is telling me I need surgery immediately—from the specialists reading the imaging to Dr. Blajic in San Diego!
Since I don't want to rely solely on one neurosurgeon's opinion, could you guys recommend someone else who is considered among the absolute best in the US?
EDIT: NEUROSURGEON!
When it comes to the spine—honestly, you shouldn't jump straight into traditional surgery because there's such a high failure rate, both immediately and down the road. Now, Paladino is a neurosurgeon, but he isn't a top-tier specialist when it comes to the spine—that's just not his primary focus.
Check out the spine thread on this forum; you'll find plenty of my posts on it, along with advice from others. The main takeaway is to look into minimally invasive spinal surgery.
In short: - Public sector (Medicare): maybe Mayo Clinic (if you're a candidate for interlaminar minimally invasive surgery or laser treatment) - Private sector: a specialized spine clinic like Cleveland Clinic (offering both interlaminar and transforaminal procedures, or laser options).
Brandon Diaz29 said:So, I’m looking at emergency spinal surgery—they found a 12 mm disc herniation that's pressing on my nerves. I've got this pain in my lower back, mostly on the left side of my glute, and it shoots all the way down to my foot. My leg muscles and toes on the left side are going numb, too. I need an MRI before surgery, but the waitlist is huge—though I might just scrape some money together to get it done within the next week. In the meantime, I was thinking about seeing a chiropractor to see if they can help. Given what's going on, would you guys actually recommend that? I'm pretty terrified of making things worse...
The millimeters don't really mean much on their own. You need to see a neurosurgeon to figure out the actual size and exact position of the herniation. That's the only way to know if physical therapy is even an option for you, or if surgery is the way to go.
I'm a bit confused—how do you know the disc is out by 12mm if you haven't had the MRI yet?
Don't let the thought of surgery scare you off—just go and googlati "minimally invasive spine surgery."
The system is completely mismanaged here—they’re looking at functional X-rays to determine disk damage when you can't even see the disk in the shot... I mean, do I really need to go on?
I was chatting with a doctor recently—he highly recommended a top-tier orthopedic clinic, one that's actually famous for pushing the envelope when it comes to knee surgeries: http://www.atos-muenchen.de/
Since we're already talking about seeing a neurologist... does anyone know which specialist in Washington, D.C. actually performs EMNG sphincter studies?
I don't have any personal experience with this myself, but I know a few patients who have gone through a procedure like this before...
It’s definitely important to track down a specialist who’s done this a lot—there are certain nuances you really need to keep an eye on during these kinds of surgeries.
As for complications? You might run into an infection, though that should be pretty rare since it's a percutaneous procedure... There's also the risk of cement leaking into the disc space or the spinal canal, among other things.
You really ought to weigh your options carefully here—if you wait too long, the spine could end up being a total loss, which would leave you needing a kyphoplasty, and those are way more expensive.