Mark, we saw the Cedar Sinai surgeon yesterday. They have their MRI films in some kind of computer system that makes them available on demand. He "ran the film" and went up and down the spine, concentrating on the most problematic areas. He drew a computer line across the spinal cord space at C5-6 and prompted the system for the measurement: 7.9 mm, still very much a concern, but much better than a year ago when it was 5.7. He agreed that films are only a snapshot, but pointed out that many of last year's worst symptoms (the problems swallowing, the constant feeling of something stuck in my throat, the coughing, the panic when I would wake up from a sound sleep feeling I couldn't breathe, the wrist drop, the claw hand, the inability to use my left hand at all) have resolved or been greatly reduced, suggesting that my improvement in symptoms match the improved MRI.
His surgical recommendations and concerns about ADR for my particular situation were almost a word by word repeat of Dr. Lauryssen, the first time I have had any agreement from non-related surgeons (well other than the first two surgeons who said four-level fusion ASAP; one of these surgeons wasn't even a spine specialist). This particular surgeon does not know I had a consultation with Dr. L, or otherwise it would have seemed too coincidental that they said almost exactly the same thing.
He said that my best bet for C6-7 which bulges to the left and compresses the nerves was a posterior foraminotomy, but that my only possibility for C5-6 was a anterior fusion so he is recommending a two-level fusion rather than two separate surgeries. He said that the other levels should be left alone for now, that ADR was a possibility for some of these levels in the future, but that such treatment now is unnecessary and "off label." He said that nothing is going to solve all my spine problems and that I will be dealing with this the rest of my life.
He is sending me to a sports rehab type doctor prior to any surgical decision to see if this type of therapy helps and to build up my neck and back muscles.
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