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Conditions and Diseases > Back Pain Forum > Surgery for bulging discs ?
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Q: Surgery for bulging discs ?
asked by: timothy_teague on January 11th, 2008
New User
I woke up about 4 weeks ago with very bad pain in my left shoulder and arm. I also noticed numbness in my left fingers. I went in to see my family doctor and had an MRI done. He said that I had a bulging disc in my C-7 and C-6 with #6 being the lesser of the two. Anyway he gave me some pain pills and referred me to a neurosurgeon. I went to the surgeon 4 weeks after my first signs of pain. Well by then my pain had subsided to where I did not even need any pills, I still have the numbness in my fingers is all. Well almost as soon as he took one look at my MRI's he started talking about fusion surgery and using some donor bone from a cadaver. He said that the whole operation would take less then an hour and a half and that there were very little risks, that I would be all better in one month. Now all I have read on this says that doctors only use surgery as a last resort. That the first thing most prescribe for my condition are nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy and the like. I am 38 y/o and in otherwise pretty good health, not over weight ect. The surgeon also said that if I did not have the operation that it would come back sooner or later and that the pain going away could either mean it's getting better or it's getting worse. I am not sure of anything, the guy just came off more like a car salesman then a doctor and I'm not very comfortable offering up my neck on "slick willies" operating table ya know Confused ? Can someone please give me some advice? Thank you very much in advance, the ppl at this site have been just so great!!! God bless those kind people that help others.
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CarolDiane
replied on January 11th, 2008
Extremely eHealthy
Consider yourslef luky to have that option. I have two of the L-2,3 and I was told that surgery was not an option for me. To many other problems with my back. But, as Rich T told, I should realy consult with a neuro sugeon. I would probably be very close to having the surgery after my full blown pain last weekend.
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RichT
replied on January 11th, 2008
Active User, very eHealthy
Hello Timothy,

I would recommend that you seek out a second and even a third opinion from a neurologist/spinal surgeon. Serach out the very best spinal doctors that you can find. Talk to people you know and find out which spinal doctors they thought highly of and which ones they would not recommend. If you live in/near a city which has a professional sports team, call their office and ask which neurologist/spinal surgeon that they use for their players.

AND definitely seek out the advice from the best pain management doctor that you can find. I don't know where you live, but if you live in the Washington DC area I can highly recommend the PM doc I go to.

YES, surgery IS the last option in my opinion. I'm going to keep that knife as far away as possible as long as I can.

I wish you well. Do stay in touch and let us know how things go.

RichT
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timothy_teague
replied on January 12th, 2008
New User
Thank You
i live in fort wayne IN.
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