Spine specialist

#1
Pink-Floyd

Pink-Floyd

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
Messages
113
Likes
0
#1
I am looking for a good local (Knoxville) orthopedic spine specialist, someone at TOC preferably.

I'm having a lot of lower back issues that have not been fixed with physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Who do you all recommend?
 
#2
#2
Pink-Floyd said:
I am looking for a good local (Knoxville) orthopedic spine specialist, someone at TOC preferably.

I'm having a lot of lower back issues that have not been fixed with physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Who do you all recommend?
Click to expand...

Not from Knoxville, but I have had 2 back surgeries. What type of pain are you having? Is it localized or does it radiate?
 
#3
#3
It does different things. Sometimes I have mild back pain, low lumbar area that radiates down my hamstrings. Sometimes if I aggravate the area I can have excruciating spasmatic shooting pain that makes me collapse. I have to get down on my stomach until it settles.

It's always on the verge of an episode though. I have to be extremely careful all the time. I'm basically doing no bending or lifting now.

Nothing seems to be fixing the problem. I have had the most response with a chiropractor but all he can see in X-Ray is that my L5 disc is thin or thinning.
 
#5
#5
Pink-Floyd said:
It does different things. Sometimes I have mild back pain, low lumbar area that radiates down my hamstrings. Sometimes if I aggravate the area I can have excruciating spasmatic shooting pain that makes me collapse. I have to get down on my stomach until it settles.

It's always on the verge of an episode though. I have to be extremely careful all the time. I'm basically doing no bending or lifting now.

Nothing seems to be fixing the problem. I have had the most response with a chiropractor but all he can see in X-Ray is that my L5 disc is thin or thinning.
Click to expand...

the chiropractor sees what you want to see
 
#7
#7
I had my microdiscectomy surgery done by Dr. Joel Norman, who, at the time, was working in Dr. William Reid's office at UT.

I cannot speak more highly of a physician or the office workers. At the time I was uninsured and they helped me both physically and financially when NO ONE else wanted to.

They didn't look down upon me or treat me like a pill head either. I recommend them to anyone with spine problems.

TN Brain and Spine - Dr. Joel Norman & Dr. Barrett Brown - Covenant Health
 
#8
#8
Pink-Floyd said:
It does different things. Sometimes I have mild back pain, low lumbar area that radiates down my hamstrings. Sometimes if I aggravate the area I can have excruciating spasmatic shooting pain that makes me collapse. I have to get down on my stomach until it settles.

It's always on the verge of an episode though. I have to be extremely careful all the time. I'm basically doing no bending or lifting now.

Nothing seems to be fixing the problem. I have had the most response with a chiropractor but all he can see in X-Ray is that my L5 disc is thin or thinning.
Click to expand...

X-Rays don't show enough, you should maybe look into getting an MRI as there is far more detail in them.

Dr Eugenio Vargas.
Neurosurgery & Spine Consultants of East Tennessee
 
#9
#9
Pink-Floyd said:
I am looking for a good local (Knoxville) orthopedic spine specialist, someone at TOC preferably.

I'm having a lot of lower back issues that have not been fixed with physical therapy or chiropractic care.

Who do you all recommend?
Click to expand...

Patient outcomes and treatment efficacy are closely linked to patient compliance. In other words, whichever specialist(s) you choose to use follow their instructions to the letter. Never assume it is safe to resume activity; always consult your specialist. Also, once cleared to start therapy, rehab the area to the best of your ability. Following recommendations to the letter and adhering to a proper rehabilitation regime greatly increase your chances of a satisfactory outcome.

When choosing a surgeon, consult with at least 2 or more if you are able. If you don't feel like the provider understands you and your case, be wary about proceeding with that person. Ask the surgeon to explain the procedure he/she would recommend in layman's terms; and have them write down the technical name for the procedure. Google that method and look for any long-term (5 years or longer) outcome studies. Ask independent physical therapists who they would see if a member of their family needed your procedure. Speak to any orthopedic nurses as well as post-op nurses and ask their opinions on the doctors you're considering and the procedures recommended.

In my area, neurosurgeons tend to be more apt to recommend the least invasive methods. Orthopedic surgeons tend to be more aggressive in their approach. When possible, choosing a non invasive or minimally invasive procedure first is wise. Better to be cautious when dealing with surgery because all surgery has inherent risk.

Bear in mind that you can be confident in the person you ultimately choose. They spend a lifetime (hopefully) staying up to date on current best practices, and everyone on their team is highly trained and professional.

Best wishes.
 
#11
#11
Falco what were your symptoms prior to surgery? Microdicectomy just removes a portion of the disc, is that correct?
 
#12
#12
Severe debilitating pain that caused me to be bed-ridden for 3 months. When I finally was able to have an MRI due to being uninsured (the biggest reason it took 3 months), I was found to have a severely herniated L3-L4 disc. The disc was pressing against the sciatic nerve causing severe pain all the way down my left leg. Any attempt to move or stand on either leg put pressure against the nerve.

It began as low back pain/discomfort that got progressively worse until I went to a chiropractor. As he adjusted my spine, the disc slid further out of place.

My procedure (Microdiscectomy) was indeed the removal of the herniated portion of the disc. Instantaneous relief, thank God.
 
#13
#13
Wow, sorry to hear that but glad you got the help you needed.

Mine is a spasmatic thing, can be extremely painful if I bend forward and it hits. It's always on the verge of that though, so I can rarely get in a comfortable sitting or standing position.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top