Well I have talked to two more places about the neck.

I first got my second opinion from Laser Spine and they say that i have three herniated discs and I would be a candidate for their surgery!

I also just went to a new orthopedic surgeon yesterday and he took x-rays and looked at my MRI.

He says that he don’t think I am anywhere near surgery yet. He thinks a lot of it is muscular and that I need more PT.

It sure is weird that 3 different places have three totally different diagnoses.

I do feel that this last one seems right I am hoping, my muscles are always very tight and I have sit at a desk for 10 years now doing engineering work and have lost a lot of muscle strength.

The PT I was going to had gotten some pretty good results just not 100%. I am really hoping he is right, because that is what my body has been telling me.

Thanks everyone! I will keep you updated.

Hi mikeymike,

That's why they're called medical opinions.

I agree that conservative (PT, PM) is—excepting in certain specific circumstances—always the way to go first, and surgery not even considered until all other options have been exhausted/failed.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post1014835-57.html

Quote:

On Goggle, it sometimes helps to preface search criteria with the words "scholarly" or "study".

This is no longer necessary; searches of this type can now be facilitated via Goggle Scholar.

BT-DT, They don't let us out much, do they?

If I were you (having been where you are), I would look into/consider myofascial trigger point therapy (MTPT).

I'd been told surgery is not an option for me due to severe osteoarthritis in my entire spine. MTPT was suggested/recommended to me by my first PM doctor, and for me, it's been a game-changer for the better. My therapist is a certified myofascial trigger point therapist (it does make a difference) who is also an MTPT instructor. She showed us how to continue treatments at home (saving us a small fortune not covered by our insurance). My neck now has nearly full range of motion—better than before, and the therapy (when done) reduces my pain levels by several points, and can alleviate/reduce cervicogenic headaches that result from the muscle tension in my neck.

Other PM modalities that have been successful (for me) to different degrees: PT/stretching exercises (I do several times/day, and they help), TENS, traction (over-the-door unit).

Injections never did squat, and usually made me sick/worse.

Doc

Well I started doing research on good PT’s and I finally called a friend that had multiple surgeries and he said that the ones at that office are the best by far and recommended me go there.

So I did and I am now on week 3 with them and I can tell you I honestly feel that I will be back to 99% when they are done.

I really liked this surgeon because he did not try to sale me on their PT’s and said I could go other places.

But going to theirs is night and day compared to the ones I had gone to before in my small town. I am really feeling GOOD!
I hope it the progress continues.
I also came across this article a few weeks ago so do a search on
tapping-into-controversial-back-surgeries

Hi Mike,

Lots of hits (many videos) on that title; they may/may not all be the same. Is this the one?
Tapping into controversial back surgeries

If so, I expect the database will be very useful in the short run.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention; I think it belongs in the "Useful Sites" sticky.

Doc

I just figured it was worth a look so that others can question what is going on before getting cut. Heck I still may need to later but I am doing everything i can to stay away from it.

I hear that; I thought I had been holding it off, then I was told my arthritis is too severe for surgery. A relief that there won't be any pressure to cut, but disconcerting that it's "off the table" (pun intended).

Doc