Info for Laminoplasty

Welcome Vanessa and your husband!

I had to look that up to see what it is. What level or levels is he having done? Was there an injury that caused the problem? Has he had a 2nd opinion and feels very confident with his doctor now? Any surgery is serious and this certainly is worthy of your concern. We understand him and you also being nervous about it.

In Chronic Pain 101 there is helpful information to read while waiting for those with experience to reply. My own experience is with a posterior fusion. If I understand correctly he will not be having fusion. I certainly understand the desire/need to talk to someone who has done this. Best wishes to both of you!

Hi Susie,
Thank you for taking the time to respond my concern. His dr is a neurosurgeon. He is a MD PHD dr and one of the top. The dr did a fusion to his cousin long time ago and she seems to be fine; however, he is very anxious to talk to people who has done the Laminoplasty. The dr recommended it for prevention since his symptoms are very little; nevertheless, the diameter of the spine is getting really narrow. Marc, my husband, is very active and we figure he better fix that while his young (40), healthy, and there isn't major damage or bad symptoms. If you have more questions or someone who has done that before can talk to him, he can start replying himself. Hope this is helpful and thank you again!
Best,
Vanessa

Hi Vanessa thanks for replying about your husband. You mentioned this cousin using this neurosurgeon a long time ago. How long ago is this? Has he had a 2nd opinion with another neurosurgeon? If this were me I would postpone this surgery & find myself a board certified neurosurgeon & get another opinion. Do you all know what his MRI showed besides stenosis which is narrowing? What is the dr saying about the stenosis returning?

I've not read of anyone having this as a preventative measure before pain gets worse. My niece was told she has a naturally narrower spinal column. She had ACDF and all the long recovery involved with that. I think if she were given this option earlier her 20/20 hindsight would be to take it and prevent the pain, surgery and recovery. This is interesting. Think I would ask that doctor to put me in touch with another of his patients to discuss this. What does the doctor say about recovery?

I do understand that the proposed surgery is a preventative type of thing. But with any surgery involving the spine there are chances of ending up with chronic pain as a result of the surgery. There is just no guarantee on this.

I would be somewhat leary of a dr that ever tells a patient I have not ever had any complaints. That is a red flag. He is human & I doubt very seriously he has not had complaints whether legit or not. Your husbands request to speak with other patients that has had the same surgery is an excellent request & a common request. Another cause for concern is the assistant not being responsive to the request. We all know surgeons are busy but we also know considering their line of work the patients needs should come first. So far, if this were me I would be seeking another opinion. We see this all the time with surgeons that once the surgery is done the surgeon is done too. The staff stone walls us too with the surgery went fine you shouldn't be having this problem. Meaning should a problem come up or the patient hits a rough spot a couple weeks after surgery & a call is made to the surgeon & you get nothing, including help or answers. That is not the type of dr a patient needs. I hope this is not the case with this one but I think it is, I hope I am wrong. Good luck.

Hi Vanessa I had this done back in 1985 along with a C6/7 ACDF for me it was an emergency type situation as my spinal cord was severely compressed! In fact they could not understand why I wasn't a quadriplegic! Anyway I did not see in your post what area of the spine he was having this done?? And is his doctors doing an anterior or posterior approach or both? I think he will find the posterior approach much more painful and it will probably have a longer healing time. Anyway if he has had two surgeons recommend that he has this surgery, then I would be inclined to think that it might be necessary??? Anyway I am including a link to some information that you and your husband might find helpful and possibly useful.

www.aetna.com/cpb/medical/data/500_599/0576.html

I do wish both of you well!

And do hope that you or your husband or both of you continue to post and let us know how everything turns out! When your here on this forum you are part of our Healing Well Chronic Pain family, and we do care about each other!

Good Luck to your husband and to you!

White Beard

Anytime surgery is mention it brings with it all kinds of fears and doubts, if you and your husband trust this doctor then your husband should proceed but if your husband is leery or not trusting this doctor then maybe a third opinion is needed and from my taking this all in and reading this whole post sounds more of a trust issue.
With this type surgery you need complete trust in your doctor and pray things go good, it won't be easy and expect a longer recovery time than expected and don't push through the recovery prcess as sometimes sleep is the best healing.
WhiteBeard gave you the best advise on here and as he's been through it someone you should listen to and maybe email him for further help.
Many Prayers....this will not be easy on either of you as you will be a care giver/nurse for him...

Good news Vanessa on the 3rd opinion. Its always better to be safe than sorry. I do not know if you saw WhiteBeard's post or not but, he too has had this surgery. If you or your husband would like to email WhiteBeard just click on his name & it will take you to his profile where his email address.

Let us know how the appt goes.