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I had a M.R.I. and the impression was: Degerative disc ...
Sent to Health Experts April 10 05:04 PM

I had a M.R.I. and the impression was: Degerative disc disease and facet arthropathy with high-grade central spinal canal stenosis at L4-5, associated with Spondylolisthesis. Mild foraminal and lateral recess stenosis is seen at multiple other levels. The Neurologist I have been seeing wants to do surgery, but I am not having pain. There is no numbness or pain shooting down either of my legs. It only bothers me if I stand in one area for in length of time. I have heard so many horror stories of back surgery that I am reluctant to do this. I am a 65 year old woman. What is your opinion?

 

Optional Information:
Female

Already Tried:
just taking over the counter pain meds.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
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April 10 5:49 PM (45 minutes and 14 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

My opinion is that as long as the spinal canal stenosis stays the same probably you will be able to manage the condition without surgery . I suggest to you to find out from the Neurologist that is there any possibility that the stenosis can get worse and start putting pressure or more pressure on the spinal cord if there is already some pressure on the spinal cord so called Myelopaty .

Spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine is associated most commonly with midline back pain and radiculopathy. In cases of severe lumbar stenosis, innervation of the urinary bladder and the rectum may be affected, but most often, lumbar stenosis results in back pain with lower extremity weakness and numbness along the distribution of nerve roots .

Please click the Accept button if my answer is helpful to you. A positive Feedback rating and a Bonus will be greatly appreciated. If you have more questions please feel free to ask. Regards, Dr.Yetimyan

V. Yetimyan M.D. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2816 Health Accepts
Physician for 20 years with experience in hospital patient care.
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April 12 1:46 PM (1 day and 19 hours later)
         
Relist: I want a different opinion.
Everything Dr. Yetemyam told me I already know. I would prefer to hear back from a specialist in this field. Either another Neurologist or an Orthopedic who specializes in this problem. The only problem I have with having the surgery, is that I am not in any pain, except occasionaly, and what are the outcomes of this type of surgeries. How successful are they? What is the percentage of not having to have more surgery in the future. My doctor mentioned further surgery with pins and rods if this didn't work. This scares me. I want to know what the future could hold, the pros and the cons.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
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April 12 1:51 PM (4 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
Reply to V. Yetimyan   M.D.'s Post: I did reply on another page. What I want is someone that is a Specialist in this field. A Neurologist or Orthopedic. I want to know the success rates of this type of surgery. Are there more people that are happy they got it done, or more people that are sorry as hell and are now in more pain. My doctor mentioned more surgery if this did not work, with pins and rods. I do not want to end up feeling more pain then I do now, and being miserable the rest of my life, which I have had many people tell me happened to them.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
April 12 2:42 PM (50 minutes and 56 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark

Hi, I may be able to answer your question.

Decompressive laminectomy with nerve root decompression is the surgical procedure performed for lumbar canal stenosis. Success rate for surgery according to some reports is 78-88 percent at the end of 6 months after surgery but on following the patients for five years, the success rate is reduced to around 70%.

Please click the Accept button if my answer is helpful to you. A positive Feedback rating and a Bonus will be greatly appreciated. If you have more questions please feel free to ask. Regards, Dr.Yetimyan

V. Yetimyan M.D. -- Doctor -- 98% Positive Feedback on 2816 Health Accepts
Physician for 20 years with experience in hospital patient care.
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