Spinal specialist and what to expect on my 1st appointment. 😳❤️

[Boneshaker1]

Can I ask advice for seeing a spinal specialist, due to 3 trapped nerves in my S1,L4,and L5?

Just want to be prepared for what is to come, scary times ahead but have to do what is best for my future and chronic pain? 🤞

[Mitch48]

Hi there,I’m sorry that you are suffering,

I know how much pain, mobility issues and numerous symptoms that spinal problems can cause. I have had several surgeries on my cervical and lumbar spine (ACDF x 2/Foraminotomies x 3(L3/4/5) Laminectomies x 3 (L3/4/5) Discectomies x 2 (L3/4 & L4/5) Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (L3/4/5) for various conditions such as cervical and lumbar radiculopathies, following disc prolapses etc. Impending Cauda Equina and Spondylolisthesis involving 2 vertebrae etc.

It is daunting to see a specialist but rest assured that if you have done your homework on both the specialist/his or her specific interests in the field, surgical experience and specific questions to ask during your consultation, you should come out afterwards with far more knowledge about your symptoms, possible condition/s and what the next step to take is.

Is this the first time that you will have seen a consultant about your symptoms or have you been suffering a while, been to a pain clinic perhaps and all treatments there haven’t worked or given you limited pain relief? Have your symptoms progressed? Have you had spinal surgeries previously or in another part of your spine? Have you got new symptoms? How did you find out the specific lumbar nerves were problematic? Symptoms & MRI scan? When you read the questions that I’m asking you now, you can formulate some of your background and or questions for the consultant. He/she will probably have a good background from your referral, including any medication that you are taking, any pain clinic treatments, relevant previous surgeries, etc but there may be more information that they require, such as how, where and when your symptoms first started, for example, did you injure yourself or did they just start of their own accord.

I hope this helps and please let us know how you get on.

Regards Mitc

[Emma2017]

Hi there. I have had 3 microdiscectomies and one fusion of the L5/S1 plus one laminectomy of the L2/L3. I saw a neurosurgeon for all of them. Most of them are very pleasant so don’t worry on that score.They ask you where it hurts and prob ask you to walk a bit and stand on your toes. They will ask how it all started and how long you have had the symptoms and what if anything you have tried so far.

They get a lot of their information from the MRI scans so he might send you for one.

In my case CE was suspected so I was sent straight to the MRI dept and saw him again afterwards where it was confirmed. It was all a bit of a whirlwind but normally that’s not the case. I would advice to write down any symptoms you have and also any questions you might have. Because believe you me you tend to forget half the stuff when you are there. Just take your written notes out as they appreciate usually a well prepared patient.

Good luck.

[Boneshaker1 in reply to Emma2017]

Good morning Emma Thank you for your helpful words and giving me tips and tricks to be prepared for my appointment on the 4th February.

I was diagnosed with Charcot marie tooth disease in 2010, and have been asking for the last 2 and a half years for pain management and my Gp surgery to look at why I am so much pain, so this year thanks to my surgeon who deals with my feet, pushing for me to be seen by knee, hip and spinal specialist after arranging for me to have a MRI scan on my lower back and found on my left side that I have 3 trapped nerves 😟 which is also causing serious pain all down my left leg! Plus OA in all my joints, plus gout and maybe RA awaiting to have more tests!

But at least thanks to him i now have a plan for 2022 hip, knee, ankle replacements and now maybe spinal surgery to, i am happy as have solutions but also really scared to undergo all this surgery as we all know surgery does not always cure the pain we all struggle with.

So I really have no clue what spinal surgery involves? So that’s while I was asking for advice of what to do on my 1st appointment with a spinal specialist.

I am use to having surgery as had 3 ops on both my feet but spinal surgery is just another level! 😳

But if it is going to help can my pain down so I could walk a little more it would be fabulous as in a powered wheelchair now and have been since September last year, as without my whizzy ( wheelchairs name 😁) as it’s given me freedom to take my dog out for walks each day which I’ve not been able to do for over 2 years, but hopefully with the surgery I will go through will maybe help me walk better and not have to use whizzy every time I go outside! 😁

I am very lucky as have a great partner future husband who looks after me and helps me stay independent and we do that with grace humour and laughter everyday so grateful I have him to keep me going. 😁

Thank you for your kind and helpful advice I really appreciate

👍😁

[Emma2017 in reply to Boneshaker1]

Hi there, that’s a lot of different surgeries. I have a friend who has had 2 knee replacements and 1 hip but needs her other hip doing too. Another friend has had an ankle replacement. None of those are to laughed at, the ankle replacement in particular seemed quite hard as she had to be immobile for 6 or 8 weeks. But both of them feel better for having had it done. I had not too much choice in my spinal surgeries. If you have just pinched nerves then they might very well opt for a microdiscectomy which is one night normally in hospital and then home. But they whip you out of bed to walk very quickly so with you having your other problems I am not sure which op would be best to have first. The leg pain from trapped nerve is a real killer. Mine has not completely gone but is much better. I wish you every success for the coming year.