I need to hear about spinal fusion stories? I am scared!?
Answers:
i am a chiropractor and specialize in spine related injuries. the disc acts as both a cushion and a spacer between each vertebrae. if a disc is bulging/herniated, that bulge can put pressure on the nerves exiting between each vertebra which causes a "pinched nerve." also if the disc is wearing out (getting thinner) you lose the space between the vertebra, which leaves less room for those nerves to exit--and again can pinch a nerve. the nerves in your cervical spine (neck) go all the way down your arm while the nerves in your lumbar spine (low back) form the sciatic nerve which runs all the way down your leg. if any of these are "pinched" they can cause pain, numbess, tingling, weakness wherever these nerves go (down arms/legs).
as a chiropractor i see this type of scenario on a daily basis. for those who have degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, disc bulging, etc.--normal chiropractic care can usually help with those problems. but there are also many people out there that have had this problem for many years and can't find relief with anything they try--including chiropractic.
but now there is a treatment that is perfect for your situation and the best part is: it's non-surgical and non-invasive. if you haven't heard of it yet it is called spinal decompression. this type of treatment focuses on disc injuries and the problems they cause. i use the DRX9000 spinal decompression system in my office and it works wonders for people with these types of injuries (approx. 90% successful). the DRX9000 is fda approved and is the best decompression system available (there are cheap knock-offs that don't give the same results).
my recommendation would be to see a chiro, especially if you've never tried it before-just to see what they have to say. also do some research on this treatment and then contact someone (usually a chiro) who uses it in their office. i would just google "DRX9000" to find info on it and doctors in your area who may have it. this treament is able to encourage the disc to go back to it's normal orientation and also rebuild its height--which then takes the pressure off whatever nerve it is compressing. pain meds, cortisone shots, epidurals won't do anything to solve the problem--all they do is cover it up and they become less and less effective over time. surgery AT BEST is 50% successful and usually doesn't solve the problem because if you are having a fusion it fuses 2 vertebrae into 1. this then puts increased load on the surrounding vertebrae and discs because they have to work harder to compensate for that fusion. these then wear out at an accelerated rate and you end up needing surgery on those as well. it's typically a viscious cycle. remember: surgery is always an option, so try something prior to surgery to see if you can avoid it--cause once you do the surgery there is no going back.
this treatment is extremely effective for degenerative disc disease, disc bulging, herniation, etc. and also sciatica type of cases, especially if you haven't had surgery yet. i've had many patients who were scheduled for surgery, tried this treatment as a last resort, and then ended up cancelling their surgery altogether after treatment was completed. it really does work and that's what my recommendation would be for you. good luck and hopefully this gives insight to others experiencing similar problems--there is a solution!
If you mean spinal fusion as a operation to fuse two vertebra together, don't worry too much. I am sure medical/nursing 'answerers' will tell you that it is a common procedure and many sport persons have had it to cure back problems.
Some of the world's greatest cricketers (my apologies for referring to that sport if you are an American!) have had the operation and have continued to play at international level.
If your surgeon has done a lot of them don't be scared at all. As freightening as this seems to you, they can do it with one hand tied behind their back. You don't want to go to someone who's not done very many, but the ones that know what they're doing will coast right through it. You'll be just FINE!! I promise
Don't ask!
All the stories will scare you.
Most of the infusions are successful.
If you have been told you need a spinal fusion -
go ahead with the assumption it will work out for you
You really do not have other options.
Be confident about your doctors
Please see if alternative methods will work for you. Spinal surgeries have a 3 year fail rate of 50% and a 5 year fail rate of 80%.
I was told that I would never walk again if I did not have a spinal fusion,I had been on the floor for the previous thirteen months and I saw an article about intramuscular injections which are like acupuncture but with longer needles.
I made an appointment,crawled in with the help of two people and walked out.Check out I.S.T.O.P. to see if it is available in your area.
It worked for me as I now have no back issues.
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