Re: Minimally invasive surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe!

I've been looking into going to Dr. Jho. Please let me know if you find

anyone that gone to him. Thanks!

Toni

At 23:08 03/12/2003 -0500, you wrote:

>Guys -

>

>My pain is going nuts. It's moving all around my lower left leg

>and now my right foot is getting freaky. If anyone knows of a

>good dermatome map to replace the one missing at talaria.org,

>let us know on the group.

>

>While my doctor is investigating non-surgical treatment, even

>though I feel like I am cheating on him, I'm looking at surgery

>again. For those of you who have read my posts on the board,

>that's like a vegetarian headed to the Outback for the 32 oz

>sirloin. ly, I'd rather be forced to make sweet love to

>all the ladies on this list at the same time (like they'd have to

>force me). Surgery may be my option. I'm only sorry that

>I can't be awake for it. I've thought about what might be

>wrong in my back for so long, I'd like to see it and try and

>cut it out myself.

>

>I'm heading to a website called www.drjho.com and was

>wondering if you guys would look at it and give me any feedback.

>He's been recommended on the board before, so I'm considering

>finding a cheapfare to wherever this clinic is and see him.

>Should we all go at once? Seriously, any feedback would

>be helpful.

>

>joe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Joe!

I've been looking into going to Dr. Jho. Please let me know if you find

anyone that gone to him. Thanks!

Toni

At 23:08 03/12/2003 -0500, you wrote:

>Guys -

>

>My pain is going nuts. It's moving all around my lower left leg

>and now my right foot is getting freaky. If anyone knows of a

>good dermatome map to replace the one missing at talaria.org,

>let us know on the group.

>

>While my doctor is investigating non-surgical treatment, even

>though I feel like I am cheating on him, I'm looking at surgery

>again. For those of you who have read my posts on the board,

>that's like a vegetarian headed to the Outback for the 32 oz

>sirloin. ly, I'd rather be forced to make sweet love to

>all the ladies on this list at the same time (like they'd have to

>force me). Surgery may be my option. I'm only sorry that

>I can't be awake for it. I've thought about what might be

>wrong in my back for so long, I'd like to see it and try and

>cut it out myself.

>

>I'm heading to a website called www.drjho.com and was

>wondering if you guys would look at it and give me any feedback.

>He's been recommended on the board before, so I'm considering

>finding a cheapfare to wherever this clinic is and see him.

>Should we all go at once? Seriously, any feedback would

>be helpful.

>

>joe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Joe,

You were asking about Dr. Jho before. The neuro I went to in San Diego did

his residency at Allegeny Hospital in Pittsburgh, where Dr. Jho is now. He

spoke very highly of his skills as a surgeon. I'm still considering going

to him.

Toni

At 23:08 03/12/2003 -0500, you wrote:

>Guys -

>

>My pain is going nuts. It's moving all around my lower left leg

>and now my right foot is getting freaky. If anyone knows of a

>good dermatome map to replace the one missing at talaria.org,

>let us know on the group.

>

>While my doctor is investigating non-surgical treatment, even

>though I feel like I am cheating on him, I'm looking at surgery

>again. For those of you who have read my posts on the board,

>that's like a vegetarian headed to the Outback for the 32 oz

>sirloin. ly, I'd rather be forced to make sweet love to

>all the ladies on this list at the same time (like they'd have to

>force me). Surgery may be my option. I'm only sorry that

>I can't be awake for it. I've thought about what might be

>wrong in my back for so long, I'd like to see it and try and

>cut it out myself.

>

>I'm heading to a website called www.drjho.com and was

>wondering if you guys would look at it and give me any feedback.

>He's been recommended on the board before, so I'm considering

>finding a cheapfare to wherever this clinic is and see him.

>Should we all go at once? Seriously, any feedback would

>be helpful.

>

>joe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Joe,

You were asking about Dr. Jho before. The neuro I went to in San Diego did

his residency at Allegeny Hospital in Pittsburgh, where Dr. Jho is now. He

spoke very highly of his skills as a surgeon. I'm still considering going

to him.

Toni

At 23:08 03/12/2003 -0500, you wrote:

>Guys -

>

>My pain is going nuts. It's moving all around my lower left leg

>and now my right foot is getting freaky. If anyone knows of a

>good dermatome map to replace the one missing at talaria.org,

>let us know on the group.

>

>While my doctor is investigating non-surgical treatment, even

>though I feel like I am cheating on him, I'm looking at surgery

>again. For those of you who have read my posts on the board,

>that's like a vegetarian headed to the Outback for the 32 oz

>sirloin. ly, I'd rather be forced to make sweet love to

>all the ladies on this list at the same time (like they'd have to

>force me). Surgery may be my option. I'm only sorry that

>I can't be awake for it. I've thought about what might be

>wrong in my back for so long, I'd like to see it and try and

>cut it out myself.

>

>I'm heading to a website called www.drjho.com and was

>wondering if you guys would look at it and give me any feedback.

>He's been recommended on the board before, so I'm considering

>finding a cheapfare to wherever this clinic is and see him.

>Should we all go at once? Seriously, any feedback would

>be helpful.

>

>joe

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Flygirl -

Thanks for the info about someone studying with Dr. Jho

(I still think he's Jlo's brother). I think we have a

guy here in Raleigh that has, too. If you haven't read

my adventures from yesterday, it was pretty fun.

Getting to talk with my neuro and not being charged for

it was fun. The fact that he thinks I may not need

surgery has my hopes up.

My PT on the other hand, really had something stuck up

her butt yesterday. We are the same age, and by the

way she spoke to me, she thinks that breathing is too

risky of an activity for me. Heck I asked my doctor

about sex yesterday and he said it was OK. Get ready

all you girls on the list. I'm a whole lotta man.

Actually, I'll probably just lock myself in the

bathroom and cry.

Well, every take care and let the board know about all

surgery results as they come in. I'll keep you guys

informed about my escapades. I'm headed home for a

week to Tennessee starting the 29th and will be back

April 4th. I'll probably post before then, but don't

get worried if I don't for a week.

joe

[Guest guest]

Flygirl -

Thanks for the info about someone studying with Dr. Jho

(I still think he's Jlo's brother). I think we have a

guy here in Raleigh that has, too. If you haven't read

my adventures from yesterday, it was pretty fun.

Getting to talk with my neuro and not being charged for

it was fun. The fact that he thinks I may not need

surgery has my hopes up.

My PT on the other hand, really had something stuck up

her butt yesterday. We are the same age, and by the

way she spoke to me, she thinks that breathing is too

risky of an activity for me. Heck I asked my doctor

about sex yesterday and he said it was OK. Get ready

all you girls on the list. I'm a whole lotta man.

Actually, I'll probably just lock myself in the

bathroom and cry.

Well, every take care and let the board know about all

surgery results as they come in. I'll keep you guys

informed about my escapades. I'm headed home for a

week to Tennessee starting the 29th and will be back

April 4th. I'll probably post before then, but don't

get worried if I don't for a week.

joe

[Guest guest]

Sandi: they are revising the surgeries all the time, and the

prosthesis are getting better too. I've never heard of a knee

replacement w/ such a small incision, so I will be anxious to hear from

you afterward. The time will go fast, and the worst of winter will be

over, you won't have to wait too long to get out and walk on that new

leg in the sping sunshine!

Marilyn

sandi wrote:

This was the surgery scheduling nurse that told me this and also

my doctor told me he would be doing a "mini" incision. I didn't know

at the time what that meant in terms of size, just knew that it was

going to be smaller than normal. He also said he wouldn't be cutting

the muscle. I've talked with the nurse twice and yesterday I

questioned her about it and she looked it up and read it to me. I

guess I will find out more when I see the doctor again.

I'm pretty bummed right now because I had my mind set for the

surgery in January and turns out they can't fit me in so it will be the

beginning of February. I should get a firm date next week. I am so

ready to have this done, I was disappointed it wasn't going to be

sooner. I'm pretty uncomfortable lately and the knee seems to be

getting worse rapidly now. But, I just keep telling myself that I

would have been happy if she told me surgery date was like the end of

January, so the beginning of February isn't too much longer. Works out

OK, we have tickets to see the Smuckers Stars on Ice show on January

9th, so that will be fun. At least once I have a firm date I can begin

to plan my life!

Sandi

sandi

Marilyn <mwelton@...> wrote:

I

think you are talking THP, not TKP.....some of the minimally invasive

hips have two incisions, and the anterior incision, (in the front) can

be as small as 1-2 inches, with the posterior incision being 2-4

inches. Other docs do just a posterior approach, with a 4-5 inch

incision, and no anterior incision at all. My husband's hip was

replaced by the small posterior approach, and he has had no problems at

all...that was 2 years ago in January.

Marilyn

sandi wrote:

My doctor does a minimally invasive TKR and makes a smaller incision

and does not cut thru the muscle. I talked with the scheduling

nurse yesterday and didn't realize just how small the incision can

be...she said as small as 1". Has anyone had this done or even

heard of it? I remember him telling me it would be a mini incision,

but I didn't have a clue as to how small he was talking. It just

seems impossible to get all the equipment in an opening that small.

sandi

[Guest guest]

hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

spondylolethisis L3

(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery for

stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny cut

right

back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

greatly appreciative.

thanks, marsha

[Guest guest]

carlene, i read the other post first. i am not too keen on laser surgery

but i definitely am going to explore the minimally invasive surgery. there is

a place in nyc, the spine clinic at beth israel hospital. the 3 doctors

there all specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery. so i am going to

call

on monday and hope that it doesn't take 4 years to get the appt.

In a message dated 3/24/2006 8:43:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,

birddog@... writes:

this is exactly the kind of surgery i am pursuing. have been in regular

contact with the Laser Spine Clinic in Tampa, FL. i have heard there is a

similar clinic in NY and Texas and am waiting for info on them. i KNOW there

must be a better way than fusion; just because it is what the orthopods know

and

do, does not mean i have to suffer through it.

Carlene in MT

[Guest guest]

are you going to go to fla. for surgery? how did you contact them to look

at your mri's? i would love this information bec. i would like to do that too.

marsha

[Guest guest]

I did a little research on this. It seems the leaders in this are

generally in florida (check www.microspine.com and

www.laserspineinstitute.com). Other doctors do it but these groups do

nothing but this. The other difference I think is in the size of the

tools they use which determines the size of incicisions. A friend I know

had it done in pittsburg with a 1+ inch incision, but these groups in

florida claim I think less than 1/2 inch. I'm no doctor but I would

think the success largely depends on the problem and the problem is

whatever doc you go to they're going to tell you they can help you. If

you know a place where you can find a doc that can tell you OBJECTIVELY

which solution is best than you've found gold.

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote:

>hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

>spondylolethisis L3

>(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

>in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

>neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

>florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery

for

>stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

>limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny

cut right

>back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

>anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

>traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

>nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

>greatly appreciative.

>thanks, marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hello all, my c5-c6-c7 fision plating and grafting hrom the hip donor site

was dont through my throat in Tasmania. it has been a success but still

loss of movement and heaps of pain still. have a great day guys and thank

you for having me in the group. love cheryl Tasmania xxxx

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote: hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4

and L5S1, i have

spondylolethisis L3

(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery for

stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny cut

right

back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

greatly appreciative.

thanks, marsha

[Guest guest]

this is exactly the kind of surgery i am pursuing. have been in regular contact

with the Laser Spine Clinic in Tampa, FL. i have heard there is a similar

clinic in NY and Texas and am waiting for info on them. i KNOW there must be a

better way than fusion; just because it is what the orthopods know and do, does

not mean i have to suffer through it.

Carlene in MT

Re: minimally invasive surgery

hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

spondylolethisis L3

(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery for

stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny cut

right

back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

greatly appreciative.

thanks, marsha

[Guest guest]

the Laser Spine Clinic in FL is going to review my MRIs. and they have given me

a list of previous patients to talk to.

Carlene in MT

Re: minimally invasive surgery

I did a little research on this. It seems the leaders in this are

generally in florida (check www.microspine.com and

www.laserspineinstitute.com). Other doctors do it but these groups do

nothing but this. The other difference I think is in the size of the

tools they use which determines the size of incicisions. A friend I know

had it done in pittsburg with a 1+ inch incision, but these groups in

florida claim I think less than 1/2 inch. I'm no doctor but I would

think the success largely depends on the problem and the problem is

whatever doc you go to they're going to tell you they can help you. If

you know a place where you can find a doc that can tell you OBJECTIVELY

which solution is best than you've found gold.

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote:

>hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

>spondylolethisis L3

>(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

>in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

>neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

>florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery

for

>stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

>limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny

cut right

>back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

>anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

>traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

>nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

>greatly appreciative.

>thanks, marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi guys, i didnt have the cage and rods, i had titanium plate and screws....

just thought id give the other option. love chery. Tasmania xxxxxxxxx

Carlene Farmer <birddog@...> wrote: the Laser Spine Clinic in FL is going to

review my MRIs. and they have given me a list of previous patients to talk to.

Carlene in MT

Re: minimally invasive surgery

I did a little research on this. It seems the leaders in this are

generally in florida (check www.microspine.com and

www.laserspineinstitute.com). Other doctors do it but these groups do

nothing but this. The other difference I think is in the size of the

tools they use which determines the size of incicisions. A friend I know

had it done in pittsburg with a 1+ inch incision, but these groups in

florida claim I think less than 1/2 inch. I'm no doctor but I would

think the success largely depends on the problem and the problem is

whatever doc you go to they're going to tell you they can help you. If

you know a place where you can find a doc that can tell you OBJECTIVELY

which solution is best than you've found gold.

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote:

>hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

>spondylolethisis L3

>(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

>in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

>neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

someone in

>florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive surgery

for

>stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

>limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a tiny

cut right

>back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that. does

>anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

>traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine center

in

>nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i would be

>greatly appreciative.

>thanks, marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

All:

Thank you for this information. Tampa sounds absolutely great! I also

suffer from L3/L4 stenosis and have stayed off surgery for 9 years.

Luckily, exercise and naproxen have been good friends of mine. I have a

small frame, so keeping the weight down is paramount. One question I have

to ask is how do the cage and rods work? I'm Googling like crazy to find a

visual representation.

Re: minimally invasive surgery

I did a little research on this. It seems the leaders in this are

generally in florida (check www.microspine.com and

www.laserspineinstitute.com). Other doctors do it but these groups do

nothing but this. The other difference I think is in the size of the

tools they use which determines the size of incicisions. A friend I know

had it done in pittsburg with a 1+ inch incision, but these groups in

florida claim I think less than 1/2 inch. I'm no doctor but I would

think the success largely depends on the problem and the problem is

whatever doc you go to they're going to tell you they can help you. If

you know a place where you can find a doc that can tell you OBJECTIVELY

which solution is best than you've found gold.

BLEECKERST10012@... wrote:

>hello, i live in nyc and have stenosis l3, L4 and L5S1, i have

>spondylolethisis L3

>(it is a grade one spondy). and i am screaming from nerve pain in my hip,

>in my knee. whereever it wants to go. just really intense pain. my

>neurosurgeon has said 3 level fusion with cage and rods. i just spoke to

>someone in

>florida who went to the cleveland clinic and had minimally invasive

>surgery for

>stenosis ane he is doing incredible. no more nerve pain. no more

>limitations of movement. he said they made a tiny cut left back and a

>tiny cut right

>back and they opened the spine up from the stenosis and that was that.

>does

>anyone know anything about this stuff? i am committed to not having a

>traditional fusion but i have been reading where the beth israel spine

>center in

>nyc also does non invasive fusions. if anyone has more information i

>would be

>greatly appreciative.

>thanks, marsha

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

carlene, a couple of questions.

wwhat is rolfing?

exactly what is your diagnosis?

how much pain are you in on a ddaily basis?

i had the ablation also and it was amazing. but i have soreness and that

god awful nerve pain that i get in the late afternoons. i have been taking

nerve pills

for the nerve pain. lyrica. not really doing the trick. once before i

took neurontin for period of time almost two years ago and that worked and then

i was okay for a period of time, nerve-pain wise. but then pain started in

last fall and neuronin wasn't working this time. i have been told i need l3

l4 l5 sl fusions

i have stenosis and spondylolethsis (grade 1 (out of 3 grades, 3 being

really bad) at L3) with rods and cage. it sounds so barbaric and i am just not

willing to do that.mostly because it is a huge thing to go thru without a 100%

guarantee of pain free. i am just wondering how similar to mine your process

is. it is good to talk to someone with same things. marsha in new york

city

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/25/2006 11:11:16 AM Eastern Standard Time,

birddog@... writes:

there is also a place in NYC that does this surgery ... Hospital for special

surgery. www.hss.edu

does anyone know anything about this place, or anyone who has had minimally

invasive spine surgery?

[Guest guest]

i don't know yet; want to talk to more of their patients and then send them my

MRIs. was hoping to find some place closer but they seem to be the innovators

and experts.

just go to their website and it gives contact info.

http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/home.aspx

Carlene in MT

Re: minimally invasive surgery

are you going to go to fla. for surgery? how did you contact them to look

at your mri's? i would love this information bec. i would like to do that too.

marsha

[Guest guest]

the Laser Spine Clinic will do arthroscopic too, without the laser.

i still have a lot to learn before i make any decisions and want to hear about

the minimally invasive surgeons in NY and TX that a friend is checking on for

me. and right now i am riding along on the ablation which has the pain under

control and working with my rolfer. will talk to my family doc next week and my

pain management doc and see what they think. because my entire spine is

involved in way or another, there is no simple solution and i may need to do a

couple of different procedures.

Carlene in MT

Re: minimally invasive surgery

carlene, i read the other post first. i am not too keen on laser surgery

but i definitely am going to explore the minimally invasive surgery. there is

a place in nyc, the spine clinic at beth israel hospital. the 3 doctors

there all specialize in minimally invasive spine surgery. so i am going to

call

on monday and hope that it doesn't take 4 years to get the appt.

In a message dated 3/24/2006 8:43:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,

birddog@... writes:

this is exactly the kind of surgery i am pursuing. have been in regular

contact with the Laser Spine Clinic in Tampa, FL. i have heard there is a

similar clinic in NY and Texas and am waiting for info on them. i KNOW there

must be a better way than fusion; just because it is what the orthopods know

and

do, does not mean i have to suffer through it.

Carlene in MT

[Guest guest]

carkene, i sent you an email with two other sites in nyc to look at.

did you get this email?

i was having trouble sending it.

marsha

[Guest guest]

carlene, where did you brother have the surgery?

[Guest guest]

okay, these are two doctors in nyc that i am going to try to get appts with

on monday. this is at beth israel hosp. i particularly want to see dr.

kuflik the most.

_Spine Institute of New York_

(http://www.spineinstituteny.com/physicians/casden.html)

844-8674

_Dr. Kuflik's

Complete CV_ (http://www.spineinstituteny.com/physicians/kuflikcv.html)

(http://www.spineinstituteny.com/services/appt.html)

Telephone:

212 844-8688

Office Mgr:

212 844-8689

Kuflik, MD

Associate Director, Spine Institute

Dr. Kuflik has extensive experience in all aspects of spine surgery, with

special emphasis on spinal deformity, degenerative disorders of the spine and

particularly minimally invasive spine surgery.

Dr. Kuflik came to Beth Israel from the Hospital for Joint Diseases

Orthopaedic Institute. Since 1987, he has served there as an assistant

attending

physician, and was named chief of the scoliosis service in 1991. Dr. Kuflik

also

was chief of spine services at Mount Sinai Medical Center as well as an

attending physician in the department of orthopaedic

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/25/2006 2:14:12 PM Eastern Standard Time,

birddog@... writes:

http://www.spineuniverse.com/mdpage.php?doctorID=915

sounds good. we could all move to tucson

[Guest guest]

i will keep you and the group posted as i (attempt) to proceed