Compression Fracture

[Juice]

My MRI confirmed my fears. The films show a compression fracture in my L2. I got a date with a Neurosurgeon on Friday. Looks like i will have to go under the knife.Bable12 Has anyone here every had this surgery?

[scootertrash]

Good Luck Juice Box, My dad has been through 3 back surgerys and I can't say they where the best thing he ever had to go through with. But these are a common practice these days so have faith. Wish you luck, when you supposed to go under the knife? Are they going to fuse your L2,3,4?

[Dusty]

My Bud had a operation back in 99 to repair his L2. There is a new procedure where they insert a balloon into the vertebra and press it out. I will say a prayer for you. Good luck and holla If you need anything.

[Ritten]

Yup, you'll have a few prayers for a full and speedy recovery my brother! At least it's going to take care of two birds with one stone and you'll be able to breathe again!

[Doug]

Hey Brian, my son (Brian) has had more than one sucessful surgery for scoliosis complete with fused vertebrae, rods and full instrumentation but these doctors do this so often that it's "old hat" to them; but I realize it's serious for the patient.
Please allow ample time for recovery.
You know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers...

[Pentabilly]

Sorry to hear that Juice, you're in my prayers! Keep us updated.

[Juice]

yes,

Balloon Kyphoplasty http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article2786.html?gclid=CIjcveuH_YwCFSggEAodq1f_cQ




My Bud had a operation back in 99 to repair his L2. There is a new procedure where they insert a balloon into the vertebra and press it out. I will say a prayer for you. Good luck and holla If you need anything.

[dannyt]

yes,

Balloon Kyphoplasty http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article2786.html?gclid=CIjcveuH_YwCFSggEAodq1f_cQ

My wife had this done a few years ago. It didn't work for her, she had 4 compression fractures and we knew going in that it only had a 50/50 shot of it working. She ended up having to have the fusion done in late August 2005. She is back to 90% of what she was before the accident. Hang in there, these types of injuries take a long time to heal.

[Save-the-Manatee]

Ouch, Prayers sent for a speedy recovery.

[jason70360]

Juice, I can suggest a few things if you are interested. There is also an AWESOME neurosugeron here in Houma. I am sure BR has some good ones as well, I am just not familiar with any of them in that area.

Most Kyphos work well. They have a lot shorter recovery time. The best thing I can say is don't think that ANY spinal surgery will make ALL the pain go away. In most cases it will help but not remove the pain.

If you are interested in getting a second opinion make an appointment with Dr. McAllister here in Houma. He will shoot you straight and won't bs with you.

As far as the fusion, I would make it a last resort. In the case of scoliosis it needs to be done. You might opt for a Laminectomy depending on where the fracture is located on the vertebra. You may even think about a spinal stimulator, which is implanted below the skin and sends a current to the spinal cord in the area of pain.

I know you won't jump into a surgery but I'll still say it, do your homework and research the physican and procedure. Try to talk to some of the previous patients on your own, not through the Dr office, they sure as hell won't give you a patients info who is unhappy with their surgery.

If you have any questions, you know how to contact me.

Good luck bud.....

[chappy]

Best of luck Brian, we will all be thinking about you.

[JayD]

Best of luck Brian, we will all be thinking about you.

+1

[Flying Low]

my prayers are with you. there is some good advice here. please keep us posted if you need anything during the healing process

[Juice]

Thanks Jason.
Juice, I can suggest a few things if you are interested. There is also an AWESOME neurosugeron here in Houma. I am sure BR has some good ones as well, I am just not familiar with any of them in that area.

Most Kyphos work well. They have a lot shorter recovery time. The best thing I can say is don't think that ANY spinal surgery will make ALL the pain go away. In most cases it will help but not remove the pain.

If you are interested in getting a second opinion make an appointment with Dr. McAllister here in Houma. He will shoot you straight and won't bs with you.

As far as the fusion, I would make it a last resort. In the case of scoliosis it needs to be done. You might opt for a Laminectomy depending on where the fracture is located on the vertebra. You may even think about a spinal stimulator, which is implanted below the skin and sends a current to the spinal cord in the area of pain.

I know you won't jump into a surgery but I'll still say it, do your homework and research the physican and procedure. Try to talk to some of the previous patients on your own, not through the Dr office, they sure as hell won't give you a patients info who is unhappy with their surgery.

If you have any questions, you know how to contact me.

Good luck bud.....

[FZ1LA]

Prayers sent

[Shakey75]

Ouch. Good luck Juice!

[jason70360]

No problem man, you know we're all here for you.

[Fitty]

Brian,
A childhood friend of mine is a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal surgery in Jackson, MS. He also teaches at the medical school there. If you'd like I could contact him for his opinion on your options, or to possibly recommend a surgeon in this area. Just let me know, when you know more.

[Katy]

sux. you get better soon, ok?

[Navaho6]

Hey Brian, my son (Brian) has had more than one sucessful surgery for scoliosis complete with fused vertebrae, rods and full instrumentation but these doctors do this so often that it's "old hat" to them; but I realize it's serious for the patient.
Please allow ample time for recovery.
You know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers...

Brian, I'm praying that you'll do well. Like Doug said, you'll be in good hands and give yourself plenty of time to heal. I realize that it's not an easy thing to do, but it's important that you don't take chances before you're healed properly.

If I can help you with anything, please let me know.

[weave]

Good Luck Brian, I would discuss it with a couple of docs.

[Ben]

Sorry to hear this, Brian. Hope all goes well under the knife. You'll be in our prayers.

[Rocky]

Answer your phone................

[jason70360]

Brian,
A childhood friend of mine is a neurosurgeon specializing in spinal surgery in Jackson, MS. He also teaches at the medical school there. If you'd like I could contact him for his opinion on your options, or to possibly recommend a surgeon in this area. Just let me know, when you know more.


Brian, most places have new software and can burn you a couple cds with your MRI images on them. The exam results are property of the company who took the MRI but they have to release a copy to the patient, by law, if asked.

Get a couple copies on cd, send one to Fitty, and have his friend take a look. He will need the exam to give you an opinion.

If you want to send one to me and can ask a few neuro docs here what they think. Just remember I only work the weekends and don't see them often. One more thing, docs like to cover their asses b/c there are so many lawsuits. Unless you meet with them in person, they may give you one of these "Well in my opinion, your best option COULD be this or maybe this or maybe this."

The two guys here in Houma that I would trust are Dr Chris Cenac JR and Dr McAllister. McAllister was a army ranger and military doc. He will shoot straight and is VERY thorough, only down side to this is his work takes longer than others. Most of his PLF, posterior lumbar fusion, take at least four hours compaired to two hours for JR.

JR is fresh out of "training". His father is a ortho and JR has traveled during his neuro residency as well as work under his pop. He is good but I take him as being a little cocky and quick. In the three years I have worked his cases, I can't remember a single pt who was unhappy though.

With previous neuro docs we have had their pts come back to x-ray complaining about the surgery not helping. I haven't had this with either of these docs.

Good luck man and keep us informed.

PS- I don't want to put this up on the board, give me a call and I will give you the name of a HACK who you should stay the F away from.

[ncognito70508]

Damn Juice! I'll be prayin' for ya'

[Juice]

Thanks for the input guys. The doctor recommended that we do a (ESI) epidural steroid injection. As I got home an goggled ESI I found out that it only offers temporary relief that can last anywhere from one week to one year.

I then preceded to asked the Doc why are we trying to cover up the pain instead of fixing the problem? He then began to speak to me in a language that i would need about 8-10 years of medical school to understand. I'm pretty sure that i pissed him off. Has anyone out there ever had one of these ESI treatments? I think I need another professionals opinion before doing anything.

[jason70360]

Well I don't disagree with him as a first step. It is unlikely that you will heal completely on your own b/c of your age but it is worth a try. The ESI could give you the pain relief necessary to give your body time to heal on its own. Going this way could keep you out of the O.R. if it works.

One test that you could have done is a Myleogram to test if the damage is impeding onto the spinal cord. It is done in Radiology under the care of a Radiologist. He will numb your lower back, L3-L4 interspace, and insert a spinal needle into the subarchnoid space, surrounding the actual spinal cord. Once he is in the space he will inject some x-ray dye and take several pictures. Some places also then send the pt to CT and scan the injured spot as well.

These images will show if the vertebra is compressing the cord. Talk to your doc and see if he thinks this will help diagnois treatment.

As far as him talking over your head, this is why I suggested talking to several docs.

Good luck

J

[minig0d]

Brian my dad is a neurologist... if you have a copy of your records we can run it by him and what was told to you if you want a backup opinion :)

[jason70360]

Brian my dad is a neurologist... if you have a copy of your records we can run it by him and what was told to you if you want a backup opinion :)


+1 the more the better

[BBBANDIT]

Good luck Juice. If this doctor gets pissed when ask a legitimate question, you definately need at least a second doctor to see what he says. Bable12Seems like he should be able to explain it where you can understand it. Let everybody know when so we can come hairyass you. It will help with the healing.

[scooterhose]

Dammit Brian...you're gettin' some good advice here so I really don't have anything to add. Except know that I'm with ya brudda.

[ONE LOVE]

My wife is a radiologist. Get me your films and she would be happy to give you her educated opinion. Check your PM

[Dusty]

sorry to hear the bad new juice. Let me know if you need anything.

[K2]

Pain sux, hope you get it straightened out Juice. A doctor that gets angry because you questioned a recommended procedure may just be an ass with a God complex, but he may also not be the doctor for you.

Go get that second opinion.

[jason70360]

My wife is a radiologist. Get me your films and she would be happy to give you her educated opinion. Check your PM

+1 She will be able to read the films to give you a second opinion on the severity of the fracture.

However, a neurosurgeon would make the call of how to repair it. It couldn't hurt though.......

[VM 2]

Damn B, Sorry to hear.

I don't know about the temporary fix the neurosurgeon is recommending. Who is your doc?

I had some neurosurgery done last month but on my elbow. At first when I was diagnosed, I went the cheap route and tried to do meds and stuff to cover up my tremors, but I still had problems, so in the end, I still had to put out money to do what I should have done in the first place.

So all in all, I paid for about 6 doctors visits, 2 months of physical therapy, and a CAT/MRI scan all for nothing.

[Juice]

Four years later and it looks like I might have to go through it after all. I have been in serious pain for the past 4 weeks. I got a date with a spinal surgeon next week. Back pain sucks ass!!!!!!

[2Evil4U]

Yowch. Good luck.

[I_FLY_LOW]

Oh damn man. Hope you can get some relief soon.

[chappy]

Good luck Brian!

[BigJohnD]

Get the best...workin on the spine is nuthing to go Wallymart on...

[Doug]

Prayers sent Brian...

[scooterhose]

Good luck Brian. All the best...

[BigJohnD]

Good luck Brian. All the best...

Absolutely...good to see ya brother...not to detract from the message to our bud...

[Rocky]

I thought that you got this worked out a few years back?

[Zutopong]

Ouch, how is this affecting your riding?

[Juice]

Man, i haven't been on a bike since my trip out west last August. I can still ride but, sleeping well, that is a complete different story.



Ouch, how is this affecting your riding?

[Shaq Diesel]

Hope the can get you some long-term relief this time! Good luck!

[BBBANDIT]

Man Juice, I am sure that your better half will take good care of you but it could be a ruff period. I haven't prayed very much in a long time but this might just get me to see if I remember how. You better let any of us know if you need anything. You know that we aren't far away. I will be gone for the next week (going to the World Superbike races at Miller Motorsports Park), but after that let me know if I can help.

[Juice]

Thanks Gary.

[lovethewater72]

I hope you finally get relief from this. If you need anything I'm home with the kids all summer and we can always take a trip to BR. If you need anything please let me know!

[Bruce]

I had back surgery Thursday and feeling a lot better already. I am hoping for the best for you too.

[Juice]

I had back surgery Thursday and feeling a lot better already. I am hoping for the best for you too.

What did you have done Bruce?

[Bruce]

I had a ruptured and torn disc. Dr trimmed it off and repaired it as good as he could. Feeling a lot better but thinking of getting rid of the KLR and looking at getting a miata one day maybe

[Juice]

I had a ruptured and torn disc. Dr trimmed it off and repaired it as good as he could. Feeling a lot better but thinking of getting rid of the KLR and looking at getting a miata one day maybe

How is the healing coming? I got my MRI back last week and I have 4 herniated disc (L2-L5) and two dry sockets. I got a date with a neurologist this week.

[Bruce]

I am doing good just sore and weak

[scooterhose]

Man, you guys take care....of yourselves!

[Rocky]

Keep us posted guys.