Herniated Disk Specialist

[koopkoop2]

So it turns out I've got a herniated disk in my back and I want the best (not just a general doctor's) opinion on how bad the damage really is and the best treatment option. Has anyone who has went through this before have any opinions on the best specialist for this type of thing. My doctor recommended me to a place called "Advanced Spinal Care", but I'm wondering if there's any others out there that may be even better. Cost is not an issue so it doesn't matter how expensive they are as long as they're the best.

[Pacman]

How do you know it's herniated? Have you had an MRI done? What disc level is the herniation?

I had a herniated disc at L4/L5 . I had surgery on it (microdisectomy) in March 2007. I felt fantastic until I sneezed and re-herniated in Jan 08 and had a second "MicroD" this past July. I'm still recovering from the second surgery....but grateful that I can stand/walk for more than 10 minutes without being in major pain.

Generally, the surgeons won't touch you unless there is a neurological deficit (my left leg/foot were numb and I also lost bladder control during the acute stage of the injury).....so I was a prime candidate for the surgery.

How long has it been? Are you having any neurological issues? How bad is the pain?

As far as specialists.....there is some overlap between the ortho and neuro surgeons who will evaluate you.

Pac

[koopkoop2]

Pain isn't too bad. I know it's herniated because I've had a CAT scan done (damage occured in another country so I already had the scans done over there) and am awaiting a full MRI here in Canada.

It's herniated between L3/L4. Pain is bearable, but I'm pretty much doing nothing but resting at home. Driving to the doctor's today was painful. Getting in and out of the car and shifting pedals caused a bit of pain. I have slight numbness in my feet and butt.

I'm not ready for surgery yet. I just saw the doctor today and they've recommended me to a physio centre and that "Advanced Spinal Centre". I'm trying to get a specialists advice on this because I want to know if I can get over this with no surgery. The foreign country that did the CAT scans thought this would be feasible, since they said my injury is minor. However, I want a second opinion from a Canadian source. That's why I'm looing for a specialist that can confirm the validity of that claim.

[quincyb11]

I think I have a herniated disc as well. The pain was just unbearable when it first happened mid last month. I could barely walk. Sometimes I would get these sharp pains in my lower back that would literally paralyze me until the pain stopped. I haven't seen a doctor or specialist yet to get an actual diagnosis but from what I've been reading on the net, I have the some of the same symptoms. The pain in my lower back actually went away, but now its back. I think I'll wait a couple more weeks to see if it persists, then I'll go to the doctors.

[Pacman]

You may as well go to the doctors now. It will take you 3-6 months for an MRI and then another 2 months to get in with a specialist.