So I was less then a month before my scheduled laminectomy and spinal fusion, and got news that my orthopedic surgeon broke his shoulder and required emergency surgery HIMSELF. What luck I have. Im now getting referred to a neurosurgeon and he specializes in cervical and lumbar spine surgeries. I guess my question is simply this, to all that have had any spinal surgery performed, was it done by an orthopedist or a neuro doc, and does anything they would have done differently or would you have stayed with the doc choice you made? Confused right now.

I would MUCH rather have a NEUROSURGEON do my surgery. That's who I've always had, and that's who I'd have again if I COULD have surgery, but I can't. Neurosurgeons are trained in the central nervous system, whereas the Ortho's deal mostly in bone. So I'd definitely want the Neuro since you're concerned with the nerves & central nervous system.

Best of luck & God bless. Let us know how things come out, ok? Hugs, Lee

Will for sure keep updates. That was what I needed to hear for reassurance. Feeling a whole lot better about the situation now. Im also from Michigan. Where about in the state are you? Just Curious.

Well I had the same surgery done by both so I can tell ya exactly what the difference's were for me.

1. The neurosurgeon performed ACDF C4-5, C5-6. I woke up from the surgery and refused meds! I ate Wendy's 3 hours later, went home the next morning and felt like a million bucks. I had to wear that J Collar for awhile but I felt great.

Ultimately only one of the two fused, or the other broke either or I had to have C5-6 redone and it caused C6-7 to blow completely out! The neuro thought he was GOD and said I was healed and that could not be so........

I found the ortho and well he fixed that surgery, performed his own ACDF at C6-7 and strapped everything down with titanium. Whereas the first surgery took 7.5 hours, this one took 1. I woke up in considerable pain and asked for heavy and frequent doses of meds. I couldn't eat anything if I wanted to due to the swelling and hoarseness. Ice itself was a bear! I still went home the next day but I had marked pain from the actual surgery.

In my experience the neuro was more gentile.The ortho got the job done!

Like Lee, I'd go with a good neuro, esp in the thoracic area. The challenge is making sure he/she is really good at what he does. From what I was told they are much more concerned about working around the spinal chord in the thoracic area, because even a minor glitch around it can cause catastrophic damage that has a greater chance of effecting major organs, etc or leaving you a paraplegic. In my case, the neuro also used a neurophysiologist(?) to monitor nerve signal function throughout the surgery to ensure no damage was being done. According to him, there is a much smaller chance of problems in the cervical and lumbar areas and this was not used when he did the procedures in those areas. Word of warning, the neurophysiologist turned out be an out-of network expense for me (almost $4K!) and I was told it's rare to find them in network because they are so highly specialized they can command the big bucks. This may not be an issue for your insurance, but it came as a big surprise for me and I'm having to put a lot more money out of pocket than expected.

It's a good sign that the neurosurgeon specializes in spinal surgeries. You might check around to see if you can get a feel for his reputation. Perhaps your pain mgmt doc knows of him?

Good luck with it and stay positive! all the best to you...

Pain Mgmt doc probably wont know him cause they practice in different cities about 50 miles apart. I have a friend that works at one of the hospitals that he has admitting privligages at and he is checking his rep out as best as he can for me. Thankfully my operation is the L3-S1 so its all lumbar and I dont have the worries about becoming paralyzed thankfully. I know they can still cause permanent nerve damage but I would still be able to function. Thanks for the tip about the neurophysiologist. That gives me the oppertunity to ask the question before the procedure. All the best and I thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It is so helpful.

My old doctor, that I liked, moved away. He walked with a marked limp and was often late coming in for the morning appointments. Turns out he has a very bad lumbar back. He apologized to me when he broke the news that I HAD to have neck surgery. He put it mildly " if you don't have the procedure done you will be paralyzed and you could die from it, stop being an *** and go get it done." He took the liberty of calling an ambulance to have me transported for the surgery said it was too dangerous for me to even drive and here I was working the whole time lol......I am not post surgery x2 on my neck. Didn't have a choice with either of them!

My low back is also a wreck! It will have to be fused from L2-S1, if I ever get it done! I have central stenosis at several spots. I have neural foraminal narrowing both sides at all spots. I have severe facet changes at all spots.... its nasty and it hurts constantly. I feel like at times I want to take and amputate my own legs with a butter knife.....that being said I WILL NOT have surgery until I literally defecate on my own shoes! I am sorry I feel this way at times, but I have NEVER talked to one single person who has had lower back surgery that has said they were better post surgery. I have talked to many whom have said I am worse! Just my opinion about it.

There was someone who posted an MRI on here and the stenosis was so severe, I would have had the surgery if I were them. Mine is close to that but not quite critical. Preservation of the cord should be the ONLY reason to have a lumbar surgery. Expecting pain relief from it should not factor in as your pain can actually be worse coming out!

Appreciate you taking the time to tell me your story. I like to hear from anyone that way I can know all possibilities. The only pain releif Im hoping for is in my legs. They have been able to see where the nerves are pinched on the MRI. Have had an EMG and a discogram so they have what they need as far as trying to get relief there. Funny you said that about taking off your own legs because I have begged people to do that for me before. Its odd to hear someone else say it though. I fully expect to have a bad lower back for the rest of my life. Problem is that Soc Security Judges dont seem to think that is the case. I have been dealing with this for so long that Im at the point that its worth it to me to give it a shot. Im trying hard to have some faith in these docs. I have a friend that is as close to me as a brother whom had a step dad that had 8 back surgeries and only experienced a year and a half of relief before he died. I am determined to NOT be that guy. Im just stubborn enough to do whatever I need to to make this happen. Dont care what I have to go through, but my 10 month old daughter WON'T see her dad like that while she grows up and I will not miss a single function during her life as long as Im breathing. Just know that Im to a point that I can not pick her up out of her crib in the morning without taking a fairly high dose of meds. Also dont want her to have a doped up dad either.

Bmatz -- I'm in Southcentral Michigan. Right in the middle, really -- below Lansing in a teeny tiny village. BORING.

Gotcha. I live in Muskegon. About an hour and a half away from you. Im about 5 minutes from Lake Michigan.