Need Neurosurgeon Recommendation (Spine Specialty) (Durham, New Bern: insurance, medical, area)

[pallison74]

I have multi level disc herniation and Spondylolisthesis grade 1. My Neurosurgeon is recommending a five level L1-L5 spine fusion. From my research, doing 5 levels all at once is very invasive and the recovery time could be 6-18 months. Obviously I want a 2nd opinion, and I want to make sure I have a caring Surgeon that is not only going to do a great job with the surgeory, but will also support me paperwork wise getting the insurance companies what they need to stay on long term disability (I have LTD insurance through work) So I can focus on recovery without losing my house. I also dont want to be rushed back to work before I am ready. Could anyone recommend a good, caring Surgeon.

Thanks
Pallison74

[codyhopkins]

Allan H. Friedman, MD -- Chief, Division of Neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery
Co-Director, Neuro-Oncology Program
DUMC 3807
Durham, NC 27710

[le roi]

Someone close to me toured some of the North Carolina neurosurgery residencies a few years ago. His opinion was that Wake Forest had the most advanced department. Hope this helps.

[codyhopkins]

I have had two family experiences with Dr. Friedman. I was then not surprised in the least that Senator Kennedy sought him out. He is excellent and a real gentleman. I am sure there are other good Dr.s around, but my experience with him was so good it is hard for me not to recommend him to someone in need.

[swbtoo]

We are looking for an orthopedic or neurosurgeon specializing in the spine. I could not find any recent thread about this subject, but read through this and several medical care and hospital threads a few years old. They were helpful, but things change, new people come on board here, and more recent experiences would be most helpful.

Diagnosis is herniated lumbar disc with resulting spinal stenosis (due to displacement of the disc and some age-related changes.) Recommendations include removal of the disc and placement of a 'plastic' spacer, a bone graft and spinal fusion which involves screws on both sides of the spine to stabilize.

We are trying to decide:

1. between neurosurgeon amd orthopedic specialist for surgery. Which would be best? Do you have a name in either specialty that you could personally recommend for spinal surgery?

2. What might be the least invasive procedures whereby the condition can be alleviated or corrected

3. Has anyone had success finding relief through decompression by chiropractic means, or is this beyond the ability of chiropractic to treat effectively in the long term?

Thanks in advance!

[BoBromhal]

I'm not a doc, but that diagnoses sounds well beyond allowing any chiropractor to touch you.

I will say this, based upon my very limited knowledge of back/spine surgery -- there is no guarantee. I know people personally who have expected complete success and found you can really only hope for 90%. Is "99%" possible? I'm sure it is. But it is nowhere near a given.

[saturnfan]

Be sure it's the only solution.

My daughter had 2 fusions and has only small decrease in pain.

[BoSoxFanNC]

Spine surgery is not a 100% fix, it is an adjustment to make pain more tolerable. Dr. Friedman does not do any spine work. You will have to make a decision if you would rather have someone that is an expert on nerve repair or an expert in bone healing. The goal of the operation is the create bone between your disc space and stop the motion that is causing the pain while opening up the closed area restricting the nerve pathway. Do your homework, there are many great surgeons in the area and there are many not so good. At the end of the day, my recommendation is to find a surgeon that does this operation day in and day out (not someone that does joints as well or vascular neurosurgery as well) and that you are really comfortable with.

[Jkgourmet]

Originally Posted by BoSoxFanNC

Spine surgery is not a 100% fix, it is an adjustment to make pain more tolerable. Dr. Friedman does not do any spine work. You will have to make a decision if you would rather have someone that is an expert on nerve repair or an expert in bone healing. The goal of the operation is the create bone between your disc space and stop the motion that is causing the pain while opening up the closed area restricting the nerve pathway. Do your homework, there are many great surgeons in the area and there are many not so good. At the end of the day, my recommendation is to find a surgeon that does this operation day in and day out (not someone that does joints as well or vascular neurosurgery as well) and that you are really comfortable with.

100% agree. DH has spinal stenosis and four disk fusion last year. HOWEVER, he did NOT have back pain prior to surgery. His back problems were discovered when they were trying to diagnose leg pain that might have been related to spinal problems (especially common with spinal stenosis).

After consultation with ortho and neuro spine surgery specialists, we believe either speciality was well qualifued to perform this surgery. The surgery was performed with tge hooe that it would solve his leg pain, but with no guantees of that. The main reason for going thru with the surgery was preventative: the arthritis in his back would have eventually gotten worse and caused nerve damage.

Surgery and recovery went VERY smoothly and was surprisingly easy. As we were warned, it dud not have any effect on his leg pain (which was later resolved with surgery on his femoral artery). Nevertheless, the back surgery was necessary to prevent future serious problems and we are relieved they discovered the deterioration in his spine.

Surgeon was Dr Oren Gottfried at Duke. Absolutely recommended. Technically very skilled, does this type of surgery at least daily. Very accessible pre and post surgery by email (returned emails. with 1-2 hours on Sunday afternoons!).

[saturnfan]

My daughter had both an orthopedic surgeon and a neurosurgeon work together on her second fusion.

I'd avoid Wakemed New Bern Ave. Lots of issues.