Philip Guy
To Laura P: Thanks for the suggestions.My PCP gave me the option of going to a "top doc" at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital,he has the reputation said my PCP(my neurologist wanted to send me to the same doctor),but he does not know him personally.I chose to see a neurosurgeon that my PCP and neurologist know:my neurologist said that his[the neurosurgeon's] office does excellent work,and my PCP has sent his patients to him.It is the same neurosurgeon I saw on March 21,2002 that did not want to "go in" because of the mild cervical spinal stenosis he saw on the MRI film. I took my old MRI films(August 2001) and the recent (March 17,2003) MRI films for re-evaluation for decompression surgery. I went to his office(located at a large hospital in southeast Pennsylvania),and informed him of my neurologist decision that surgery is indicated due to muscle atrophy.And,I emphasized to him that the pain was intractible and excruciating. His examination revealed my legs to be stiff and clumsy[they feel tired,weak, and heavy]. He agreed to due the surgery,and it is scheduled for July 2,2003.He did not guarantee any positive results,and said I had a 75% chance(?).The procedure he is performing is a laminectomy,a posterior approach that would include hardware(5% failure rate).The damage, i.e. arthritis,is at least four levels(c-3 to c-6), and is located at the posterior.In doing research on cervical spondylotic myelopathy,I came across an article that stated that a laminectomy can cause complications that could lead to further surgery.I understand that the inclusion of hardware(aids fusion) will prevent this complication,but I am wary of both the hardware and the procedure.Here is what I read: cervical spinal deformity The direction of the curvature of the cervical spine is called lordosis. TIME Progressive kyphosis of the cervical spine usually takes years to develop following multiple level decompressive cervical laminectomy. Good luck Laura! Thank you, PG