Orthopaedic Or Neurosurgeon?

[nontharic]

I would appreciate help from anyone with experience with Bangkok medical care/surgery for myelopathy aka radiculopathy? After experiencing numbness in my right leg I saw a GP at a major BKK hospital who referred me to a neurosurgeon if it did not improve. After a month it was worse (my shoulder also) so I followed up and had a neurosurgeon-recommended MRI. This shows that nerves are being pinched by calcification on the 4,5,6,vertebrae at my neck. They propose surgery to remove the vertebrae and insert a prosthesis. The surgeon glossed over any risks and did not suggest any alternatives to the knife so I am not thrilled to continue with him.

Has anyone gone through a similar situation? If so,any experiences shared would be a help and any recommendations of surgeons I should talk to ---orthopeadic(How IS that spelled??) or neurosurgeon?---would be much appreciated. As an alternative I tried Celebrex for a month when traveling, based on internet information. It helped somewhat but not enough to put off the need to get reliablecare.We are in the Bangkok area.

Thanks--any inputs, ideas, suggestions are welcomed.

[Dragonman]

I would appreciate help from anyone with experience with Bangkok medical care/surgery for myelopathy aka radiculopathy? After experiencing numbness in my right leg I saw a GP at a major BKK hospital who referred me to a neurosurgeon if it did not improve. After a month it was worse (my shoulder also) so I followed up and had a neurosurgeon-recommended MRI. This shows that nerves are being pinched by calcification on the 4,5,6,vertebrae at my neck. They propose surgery to remove the vertebrae and insert a prosthesis. The surgeon glossed over any risks and did not suggest any alternatives to the knife so I am not thrilled to continue with him.   

  Has anyone gone through a similar situation? If so,any experiences shared would be a help  and any recommendations of surgeons I should talk to ---orthopeadic(How IS that spelled??) or neurosurgeon?---would be much appreciated. As an alternative I tried Celebrex for a month when traveling, based on internet information. It helped somewhat but not enough to put off the need to get reliablecare.We are in the Bangkok area.

Thanks--any inputs, ideas, suggestions are welcomed.

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Have suffered from this for 4 years. Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy caused by damage to the 4th and 5th vertebrae during a horse riding accident. I also was given the option of suffering or having an operation. The op. not really advised unless your quality of life is unbearable. There are considerable risks which I was not prepared to take. Tried all sorts of anti inflammatories and painkillers. Just rely on kapake capsules for quick pain relief nowadays. Symptoms often go into remission, but if I then sleep awkwardly they return with a vengence.

It is a matter for individual choice whether to have the op. I decided not to as my legs were initially affected, but now I only have problems with my arms.

Good Luck with your decision.

[Nignoy]

I would appreciate help from anyone with experience with Bangkok medical care/surgery for myelopathy aka radiculopathy? After experiencing numbness in my right leg I saw a GP at a major BKK hospital who referred me to a neurosurgeon if it did not improve. After a month it was worse (my shoulder also) so I followed up and had a neurosurgeon-recommended MRI. This shows that nerves are being pinched by calcification on the 4,5,6,vertebrae at my neck. They propose surgery to remove the vertebrae and insert a prosthesis. The surgeon glossed over any risks and did not suggest any alternatives to the knife so I am not thrilled to continue with him.   

  Has anyone gone through a similar situation? If so,any experiences shared would be a help  and any recommendations of surgeons I should talk to ---orthopeadic(How IS that spelled??) or neurosurgeon?---would be much appreciated. As an alternative I tried Celebrex for a month when traveling, based on internet information. It helped somewhat but not enough to put off the need to get reliablecare.We are in the Bangkok area.

Thanks--any inputs, ideas, suggestions are welcomed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Maybe I can help!! had mylopathy in C4,5 and 6, Had surgery in Brisbane, 4years ago, I have a titanium steel cage , with bonegraft in place of the 3 vertebrae, for the first 3 years after the op was pain free, now all the syptoms are coming back, on permanent anti imflamatories(celebrex) and pain management Tramil so suggest leave well alone , look for a sensible pain management scheme, to give you a decent quality of life,,Nignoy

Have suffered from this for 4 years. Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy caused by damage to the 4th and 5th vertebrae during a horse riding accident. I also was given the option of suffering or having an operation. The op. not really advised unless your quality of life is unbearable. There are considerable risks which I was not prepared to take. Tried all sorts of anti inflammatories and painkillers. Just rely on kapake capsules for quick pain relief nowadays. Symptoms often go into remission, but if I then sleep awkwardly they return with a vengence.

It is a matter for individual choice whether to have the op. I decided not to as my legs were initially affected, but now I only have problems with my arms.

Good Luck with your decision.

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