Swollen ankles and feet

[symara]

I went and told him about the pain and swelling, he just wrote it off like it was just another symptom of my back... nothing new... wants to do another discectemy in 2-3 weeks.

the swelling was less over the weekend, I think it may be worse as I sit down for longer periods. we'll see today now that i'm back at work.

[Maria]

It could be dependent edema (dependent on position/extremities positioned below heart level, weight bearing/ crossed and sitting, dangling) and perhaps there is a different reason (medical vs. spinal) so I think you should make your Primary Medical Care doctor aware of this occurence should it indicate anything that medically needs to be checked out further.

I realize of course prior to a discectomy you will be getting a physical to clear you for surgery so if there is a problem of a medical nature it could show up then ~ if there is one...

Pedal edema doesn't usually just happen for no reason altho sometimes as women age and go thru hormonal changes that can explain it but there are other things to consider and make certain are ok such as cardiac,circulatory,vascular, renal, and lymphatic systems functioning.

Will you be getting a 2nd surgical opinion re the discectomy?

[dshobbies]

Symara,
Any surgery is your decision. But what your doctor is not telling you is that the likelihood of failure for yet another discectomy. I've had two and know this is not an easy surgery onto itself and though I do think I would have agreed to the first, knowing what I know now, I would not have agreed to the second one. I did refuse a third surgery which ultimately led to my 3 level ADR.

Also, after a discectomy, your disc is compromised and can no longer support its full function. This causes increased pressure on adjacent discs which often leads to degeneration at those levels, which can lead to degeneration at their adjacent segments.

Before agreeing to another discectomy, please discuss this with your doctor. The statistics are not in your favor.

Whatever your decision, I wish you good luck, Dale

[Maria]

I too strongly recommend getting more than one surgical opinion when it comes to 2nd discectomy. My first one was successful at L5S1 but my 2nd one at L4 was not and then I ended up having probs with recurrent disc bulges at both levels, scar tissue, hastening DDD and future spinal problems.

That being said it could be that wouldn't be your case and you may need *something* done surgically however I'd just want to have more than one opinion and for myself more than 2. But usually most surgeons recommend getting a 2nd surgical opinion at least.

[symara]

I am trying to get at least one more opinion. Unfortunately, the only dr that was doing ADR in this area is not longer doing it since the hospital will not do it now, since insurance will not pay for it. He won't even consult with me. I won't see him for a regular surgical opinion if ADR isn't an option since he isn't in Network. I'm going to call the prodisc people and see if anyone has been at least trained in this area. Maybe I can get into see someone that at least has been trained and get their honest opinion.

I also e-mailed Dr Balderston to see if I could get a long-distance consult with him, so we'll see. I have a lot of phone calls to make it seems.