Hi Guys
I've been reading a lot here in the past year or so. I have C2-C7 bulges, kyphosis and osteophytes. The first of it started in 2006 out of nowhere. I initially did PT and that worked for a little while. After that was over, I started having hand swelling and aching along with severe shoulder pain. That part stays constant and is the worst at night. I haven't slept decently in forever. Then I have a big flare up every few months where I can't lift my own head to get out of bed, turn more than a few degrees, etc. I'm sick of medicating and being a miserable person to be around. I want surgery to fix this! I was supposed to have 1 level ACDF in 2006 but cancelled it myself because I was nervous about the domino effect with all the neighboring discs already bulging. So now we have the FDA approved disc and I want it!
I got my pain specialist doc to order a new MRI for me in December. Nothing new in the spine to indicate the hand problems...just the same old pictures. This time it showed a thyroid problem. Great. So I took the time to get that all checked out. Got the good news today...no cancer! So I'm back on track to get my discs fixed.
NOW...the big question...who to go to for this. I have BCBS Federal Employee PPO and live near Los Angeles. I initially saw Duncan McBride, chief of neurosurgery at UCLA. Not sure he'd be my choice again and I don't know if he even does disc replacement. So I'm contemplating other surgeons. Anyone in particular that you guys would recommend??? I'm thinking Larry Khoo (UCLA) or Jeffrey Wang (UCLA) or Michael Kropf (Spine Inst.). Anyone have experience with those guys? How about James Watson, Robert Watkins or Brian Rudin? Like everyone, I want someone good! LOL!
So many thanks for any advice!
Victoria
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