What would be the limitations if i got a spinal operation to get the curvature out of my spine?

---

I am just interested about what limitations there are after getting a spinal operation.
Hi,
I saw your question about your curvature of the spine, so I thought I would answer you. If you go to my webpage at http://atlantaspinalinjury.com there is an article that might be of interest to you. Watch the movie, too, it has a lot of good information in it. Also, I have had spinal surgery eight years ago. Before my surgery, I couldn't walk even across the room without stopping 2-3 times. But now, I walk everywhere with no pain, it's great! My sister had polio back in 1951, and had curvature of the spine from that. After many operations, she could walk better, but your curvature is probably not from polio, thank goodness! But to really answer your question, I have NO limitations after my back surgery and I hear that the laser surgery is so much easier than when I had mine. Good luck if you decide to go with it, it truly helped me!  (+ info)

What is the difference between a Epidural and a spinal block?

---

As I had a c-section, with my daughter it was an emergency one. and I had to be put out because I did not get numbed, I only got half way numbed.
So What is it that happened? What did I have? a spinal or a epidural? and what is the difference?
Epidural

This is a combination of a local anaesthetic and a narcotic that continuously relieves pain in the lower part of the body. An epidural is given with a catheter into the epidural space, which surrounds the spine area of your body. A small test dose may first be administered to determine how the medication will affect you. Once it is deemed safe, a continuous flow may be administered with the help of a catheter. While receiving an epidural, the foetal heart rate is monitored continuously, as is the mother’s blood pressure. It takes about 20 minutes to administer an epidural block and another 20 minutes for it to take effect.
Using an epidural allows a mother to remain fully awake. Additionally, the baby should not be affected in any way. It is also possible to receive a "walking epidural," which still blocks the pain of labour, but leaves you with enough lower body strength and muscle to walk about. The combination of these two becomes much more affective than the two used separately.


Spinal Blocks

With this kind of medication a dose of anaesthetic and a narcotic drug is given through direct injection into the spinal fluid. The pain relief is speedy and the affect lasts for a few hours.
As compared to an epidural, a spinal block differs in two ways. First it is administered directly into the fluid surrounding the spine; secondly a catheter is not used, and instead a one-time injection is given. For someone who is fast reaching labour and does not have the time required for the administration or the delayed affect of an epidural, a spinal nerve block is a better choice. It is also suggested for women who want pain relief late in labour.

This medication is also used by doctors during caesarean sections as it not only gives pain relief but also helps in blocking the motor nerves making the mother feel totally numb from chest down. Some common spinal blocks use chloroprocaine or lidocaine as anaesthetics and fentanyl or meperidine as narcotics.  (+ info)

What is the difference with an epidural and a spinal?

---

I see people writing about different pains from a spinal or an epidural when giving birth... is there a difference? Does an epidural hurt?
I had a spinal; I had to because I was having a c section. I didn't want to see the needle, so I don't know how big the needle is, but it was injected directly into my spine. It hurt like hell for 4 seconds, and then I was numb from the neck down for 12 hours.
With an epidural, you have a catheter hanging from your back.  (+ info)

How long does a spinal tap last?

---

I have to have a spinal tap. The doctor says I have to be there 2 hours prior. How long does the actual procedure last. I took the day off that day but my fiance has to work at 3 and the procedure starts at 1. He is the only one that I have to drive me home afterwards. Will they keep me there for a little while after or should I reschedule for an earlier time?
I've had 4. The actual procedure lasts about 15-30 minutes at the most. However, they will want u to stay for 30-90 mins afterwards to make sure the puncture hole closes up.  (+ info)

What is my Doctor looking for when he orders a spinal tap?

---

Ive been having alot of headaches, speech and tremor problems. All my blood tests, CT and MRI are normal, he wants to do a spinal tap now. What could he be looking for? I am pretty scared.
an amp that goes up to eleven  (+ info)

What can it mean when they find blood in your spinal fluid?

---

Sister is 8 months pregnant. She has been complaining of severe headaches and nausia. Doctors did a spinal tap.
It certainly is nothing to do with schizophrenia. You don't tend to find frank blood in spinal fluid, except very small amounts from where the needle has punctured the skin. What they can find in the spinal fluid is something called xanthecromia, which makes the spinal fluid look yellowish, and is the result of blood cells which have been broken down. The spinal fluid is continuous with the brain, and if there is xanthecromia (broken down red blood cells) in the spinal fluid it usually indicates an area of bleeding within the brain, most commonly something called a subarachnoid haemorrhage. You should ask the doctor about anything you don't understand.  (+ info)

What should I expect from a visit to an orthopedic/spinal surgeon?

---

I'm going to see an orthopedic/spinal surgeon on Thursday. I'm going to see him because I have a herniated disc in my lower back which causes my legs to tingle/go numb. I went through physical therapy for a few months but it only seemed to make it worse so my PCP referred me to the surgeon. What should I expect from this visit?
The doctor will talk to you, examine you and if you do not have one already, order an MRI.

If your symptoms are manageable and you are not getting progressive weakness, the doctor will probably advise against surgery.

If you are in too much pain but otherwise ok, the doctor might recommend an anaesthetic injection of the affected nerve(s).

If there is sign of nerve damage (eg progressive numbess or weakness) then an operation may be required. Surgery may also be offered in any case.

Listen to the surgeon's opinion, then make your decision.  (+ info)

What are the effects of spinal cord injuries?

---

I met the most FANTASTIC little girl the other day! She is 7, and she fell as a baby and suffered some spinal cord injuries that have given her many of the syptoms of Cereberal Palsy. My partner has CP so I am somewhat familiar with it. The little girls walks with crutches, but I heard them saying she may need a wheelchair soon. I know this is a VERY broad question, but I am just looking for people with experience in the situation?
Well, since the spinal cord is affected, it mainly concerns the person's central nervous system. It can affect four areas of the spinal cord: (top to bottom)
1. cranial (everything is affected: mobility, breathing, loss of sensation, paraplegic where limbs cannot function)
2. thoraxic (breathing)
3. lumbar (loss of sensation)
4. sacral (paraplegic)

The little girl could have CP since it is either congenital or acquired. It is best to have her assessed by her medical team.  (+ info)

How long does it take to recover from a lower lumbar spinal fusion?

---

I had spinal fusion on my L5 S1 lumbar in August. I was released for normal activity by my doctor after three months. I still have more bad days then good. Any words of wisdom? When will it get better?
First, don't smoke. Smoking is a primary cause in most failed fusions. Stay away from second hand smoke.

Don't do any heavy lifting. Engage only in low impact exercise or sports.

This may hurt for a long time. Spinal fusion is not like a broken leg. The spine is a complex structure, with lots of nerves involved, and it also acts as a shock absorber for the weight of your body. You may face many more months of healing before you see the pain fade away.

It would be best to speak to your physician and see if an appropriate course of physical therapy will help you along this difficult path.

By the way, this is where a lot of patients get addicted to pain killers. Don't add that grief to the misery you still suffer.  (+ info)

spinal cord stimulator and how to tell if you have new problems?

---

I have a spinal cord stimulator and it does help although it doesn't block the pain 100%. I was wondering if anyone else had one of these and if they ever had any new disc problems after having it installed. If you did end up with new problems how did you know you had something new wrong and not just pain from your old injury?
Your symptoms would change. If there was pain running into the bottom of the foot it might change to the front of the shin or into the toes. The pain patterns or numbness are going to be the key. The stimulator is not going to stop pain from a higher level though it could conceivably lessen it. The stimulator is not going to stop any changes that are taking place in the back. Talk to the surgeon that did the procedure or a neurologist.  (+ info)

---

---

• Home
• Our method
• Usage examples
• Index

• Statistics
• Contact

---