This video helped me to have some hope... thank you Dr, you are outstanding

Been exactly a week since my surgery the only hard part was the conspitation holy I thought I died

The biggest regret of my life was getting spinal fusion.

I have experienced two spinal fusion surgeries, because i broke the titanium somehow and i had to do a second one from the top to the bottom near my "tail" idk how it's called. I can guarantee you that everything in this video is truth about every word that he said.

Dr.Van Sickle did my DBS.THANK YOU DOCTOR!

McGowan is terrific! I am pleased with the work he has done. Great guy

Is it true the life expectancy of someone with sleep apnea is from 8-18 years

My second spine fusion was done 5 weeks ago. The pain is bad, but mostly tolerable. After 2 weeks, the pain is much better. I could tell that my surgery was a success after the second day. I was finally standing up straight. So happy I did it!!

I’ve had anterior and posterior fusion after a car accident, C4-C5 are fused. Still walking!

I am 66 years old and had two level disc replacement a year ago (c5/6 & c6/7). It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I even traveled across the country to get it done by Dr. Choll Kim as many of the doctors in S. FL wanted to do fusion. DO NOT give in to the surgeon who jumps right to fusion without adequate explanation. I had one doctor in FL who wanted to do FOUR levels of fusion!

I had mine done in 2001 It was horrendous I have I’d say 60% of what normal people can do with my back now Still have sciatica now and again Glad I had the op though In total A slipped disk is a problem It’s going to mess with your spinal column Beware That can cause you to be paraplegic And wheel chair bound Rather do the operation

God I hope the implant works as good as the temp did. I cant take this pain anymore.

Doctors will tell you how they will treat you for pain but what they do not tell you is it is excruciating. I’m actually typing this from rehab after my second lumbar fusion because the first one I had at Mayo failed. Be prepared for intense pain and fatigue.

-Despite Weak Evidence, Spinal Cord Stimulators Are Big Business American Family Physician January 2024 by Kenny Lin, MD, MPH “These devices come with a high price tag ($30,000) and potential complications that include electrode migration, hematoma formation, infection, spinal cord injury, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. “Most studies reported outcomes at follow-up dates of one month or less; only one study reported outcomes at six months.” Overall, the body of evidence was assessed as having significant bias, including selection bias (five studies), performance and detection bias (10 studies), attrition bias, and selective reporting bias. “The largest study, with 50 participants, found no statistical benefits. Three smaller trials suggested that “adding spinal cord stimulation to medical management may slightly improve function and slightly reduce opioid use in the medium term (i.e., one to less than 12 months).” “The data do not support the use of spinal cord stimulation to manage low back pain outside of a clinical trial, and it is unclear if spinal cord stimulation has long-term clinical benefits to reasonably outweigh the costs and risks of surgical intervention.” “In a 2020 letter to health care providers, the FDA reported that over the preceding four-year period, it received “a total of 107,728 medical device reports related to spinal cord stimulators intended for pain, including 497 associated with a patient death [representing 428 deaths], 77,937 with patient injury, and 29,294 with device malfunction.” That seems like an unacceptably high rate of unintended effects for a device with modest benefits.”

Thank you for answering some of my questions. I have cervical spine stenosis pain numbness tingling. One surgeon would like to do ACDF C3 four C4 5C65 and C67 fusion. Another surgeon suggest three disc displacements., Though he said he may have to fuse one when he got in there due to the fact there was a cyst on a vertebrae. The opinions were within the last month within the same MRI or MRIs. I’m extremely active 57 year-old weight training, w nine-year-old boy. far from normal in that department. I also have stenosis in my lower back that doctors have discussed operating since my 20s. I’ve learned to live with that kind of at a certain level cervical pain really went south two months ago. I’m confused exactly what to do. Anyone can help. Let me know. I live in Florida.

Great lecture

Bravo

This is a superb video, marred only by the nerve-wracking music underlying the spoken words.

All i can say if you walk dont get this surgery or any other back surgery you will never feel right again ,been 4 years the doctors donr care they are like bring in another i gotta pay for that boat house

I'd be skeptical.

I just ❤ Elon Musk!

I am fused from either T1 / T2 to L3/L4 is it a possibility that is why i now have a herniation around c5 c6 or could it just be fron pressure transfering to the above unfused segment from lifting items that might be too heavy for the muscles in mt back shoulder and neck becsuee it came on 1 week after i lifted a very heavy child and then i had ear pains from it but relaised i was getting ear pains earlier in the year when i probably lifted things doing house decluttering and house repairs and perhaps it was progressing and got worse with lifting the child?

I had a L5 S1 surgery in September 2023 . Im in more pain now than before..Recent test show I have severe scare tissue on my scars and the screw on my left side went into my nerve that controls my leg so I been having non stop leg spasms. I told my surgeon I was in bad pain and have non stop spasms even was hospitalized ...they are now saying I have to redo my surgery to remove the screw to prevent the pain and spasms.. smh ..

Is 31 years old too young for disc replacement surgery?

This is really useful. I have multilevel (C4 to C7) disc herniation (from a severe whiplash injury a few years ago) and degeneration with mild signal changes in the cord at C4/5. I also have Hypermobile EDS. I have just lost the use of my left hand and so I'm now waiting for a referral to the spinal team (I'm in the UK so the wait may be a long one!) My concern was the impact of a fusion on adjacent vertebra as this is a recognised issue for fusion surgery in EDS - and a problem I've had with other fusion surgery (not spine). It looks like disc replacement and debridement(?) is the best option. Restoring hand function is a work in progress! 😅

But the artificial disc may pop up out of its place after surgery.

Also doctors will fix the structure of the spine but they don’t rid you of the pain. No doctor would say your pain will go away.

I had L5 S1 fusion. It took me a year to be physically and mentally ok. It hurt like hell. It’s one of the most painful surgeries. Post surgery i had constant lower back pain and still do. Now my leg goes numb and it weak and sometimes gives out. The fusion destroyed my life and still hurts and get worse though out the day. Ten years prior I had a discectomy of the L5 S1 and it was great after 6-8 weeks I was back to normal activities. They made me believe that the fusion would have the close to the same pain level. Now 13 years after I have adjacent segment disease and need two level fused. I hate having back pain it’s exhausting because it’s the main part of almost every movement. Between the pain and meds I lay around and sleep most of the day. It’s not living it’s just existing. Knowing they will do two more levels isn’t very uplifting. Adjacent segment disease for the level next to the fused is common and usually goes bad around ten years from original back fusion.

I have watched this video and it has given me a full understanding of what my Doctor in my area want to do for L4 and L5 fusion surgery to reduce my pain and I just hope that the doctor I'm using for my surgery has a full approach like this Doctor explained. This is a awesome video.

Was watching this video. I was impressed. I stayed in south Africa. Did spinal fusion 3 years back even today I'm still in pain.my back hurts like hell.

I have been told I need spinal fusion surgery, but God bless those with scoliosis. There is always something to be grateful for.

Fuck fusions, thats all every surgeon wants.. how many get kick backs from doing fusions? Anybody with any sense should look at deuk spine institute for laser disc repair... save your body the pain for future problems.. dont listen to these clowns

Truest info I've heard about this surgery 😊

I'm screwed. 52 and just got an xray. I can barley walk today.

Thank you for sharing your experiences and knowledge Much appreciated

Dr Van sickle performed deep brain stimulation via robot on me about 2 years ago now. It was July and August of 2021. My life was forever changed by meeting this wonderful, humble, sweetheart of a doctor. You should consider yourself very fortunate to have this man in the operating room. His entire staff is very compassionate and knowledgeable. 2 years later my husband has retired from the military and were in Virginia and are forever home thanks to Dr Van sickle and his staff. I'm still independent without a cane or a walker. I've now had young onset Parkinson's for almost 12 years now. I'm still completely independent and it's because of DBS! I would do it all over again. If you see this doc, I'm still doing good here in Virginia.❤

Great video! Lots of helpful information. Goodness I wish you practiced in the Atlanta area. I’ve been told I need Fusion from T9-Pelvis. Plus scoliosis. My sister needed C2-T2, but today the surgeon and her agreed on just three levels fused. Much better! I would love to do it too! My surgeon at U of M (sister lives in Ann Arbor and might be able to somewhat care for me) wants to do the whole thing on me, and that scares the living daylights out of me! 40:12 Love the messages you are sending. Please keep going, and please let me know if you move anywhere near the Atlanta area!

I’m seeking medical opinions for disk replacement vs fusion and was told by a neurosurgeon that because my spinal cord is being compressed and showing sign of damage I couldn’t do a artificial disk replacement. Fusion is the only way to go. But a orthopedic surgeon said I he could perform disk replacement. I would much rather as I’m only 37. Which is the best way to go?

The Germans left ball and socket disc replacements more than a decade ago, viscoelastic discs such as cp-esp and lp-esp are far superior to anything in the US, and they are doing many 3 and 4 levels successfully!

Dr Boone did both my cervical and lumbar fusion. He was a fantastic Dr, I highly recommend a consult with him. I wish he was still in Houston. Thank you Dr Boone.

iM 68 .On 6/20 i am having minimal invasive surgery for L2 S1 and spinal stenosis . Its not that my pain is that bad , I have tried everything , and now I can only walk very small distances . Thank you dr for your video and what you do ! Bob M .

Ước mơ các nhà nghiên cứu tìm giải pháp phục hồi cho bệnh đứt tủy sống tốt nhất. Đó là bao ước mơ của nhiều bệnh nhân tủy sống. ❤❤❤❤❤

I need this today. Schedule it

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Dr. Prall is fantastic! He did surgery on my best friend’s back and totally changed her life. Thank you Dr. Prall. 👍🏼👍🏼

Very good information comparing anterior and posterior spinal surgery...

Hi, I did a 2 level ACDF (C4,C5) 2014.. now it seems that C3 above and specially C6 below are also impacted and I would need to make a 4 level ACDF !! is there any way to take away the current 2 level ACDF C4&5 and replace it with the Protese Disk for better mobility ?

Thank you very much. Excelente presentation!

My dr. Wants to fuse neck and back replace 4 disc from commercial vehicle who hit me in which I was a passenger,been over a year, 1st dr. Kept pushing for surgery ,then I got second opinion doing 1st round injects neck next week and and whole round again in lower back soon. Surgery’s are scary as hell 2 fusions 4 disc. I got time I know my case is gonna take years.

Nope