Spine surgeon's warning

If you are thinking about having spine surgery, you need to watch this video. Be careful if you encounter these situations as you discuss surgery with your surgeon:

0:25 - I. The 'pushy' surgeon.
1:54 - II. The surgical 'guarantee.'
3:04 - III. Unclear rationale for surgery.
4:27 - IV. Risks/ benefits of surgery not clearly discussed.
5:15 - V. A 'complicated' surgery instead of a simpler option.
6:30 - VI. A 'newer' or 'cutting-edge' surgical technique/ device.

Check out this video about the RISKS of spine surgery:

www.MustafaKhanMD.com

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[SpineSurgeonSpeaks]

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RISKS of spine surgery:

[anonymousbosch]

Two weeks ago I had oblique interbody minimally invasive surgery to treat severe spinal stenosis at L4 and L5. My surgeon walked me through my x rays and MRI and explained that a worse fate than the continuing severe pain down my right leg could be a loss of nerve function because of the compression of the spinal cord.. He made a convincing case to me for the procedure and this video helps assures me that I made the right decision

[RoadMechanic]

very few surgeons will spend more than 5 minutes with you. If you ask them questions they get defensive.

[CindyLowe-cx]

Thank you for your honesty. Next Monday I have a permanent spine stimulator placed in my lower spine. The trial worked well for me. Now to find an excellent neurosurgeon that can help undo the back surgery my veteran son went through.

[privateye]

I wish I had seen this video 9 years ago. When I had decompression surgery to my L5-S1, I was never told I would probably have to have spinal surgery in about 10 years. I am 9 years post op and about to have fusion in that area due to the significant slipping and now I am not in a position to take off the time and get the care I need. You are a God send and I am glad I found your channel.

[chetmarcotti]

Very informative.very detailed, and very professional presentation. Thank you

[JoyceKelley-bs]

😊i had spine surgery April 18, may 18, it was to start im doing . better but im doing betterl
😊by the grace😮 of god!!

[The_LuvBug]

Some great questions to ask. Thank you. My Dr. talks to me for 15 minutes and gave me a packet and then said to call his office when I’m ready. You are really in charge of your own health.

[ItzAllOrNothin]

I'm so glad I ran across this video because Im going for a second opinion before having surgery on my c-spine.
I have retrolithesis at C4-C5, with bone spurs in and out of the vertebrae, severe foraminal narrowing at C4-5, bilateral C5-7 foraminal stenosis, and moderate cord compression. Most of the discs are gone in my c-spine. Last August I consulted with a neurosurgeon and told him that I did not want any type of fusion. He told me that there would be no fusion, he would only go in and put a disc in the space between the two vertebrae, and remove all the bone spurs. When I received the letter from my insurance company about the pre-authorization, it stated clearly that his plan of action was to fuse two levels in my c-spine and he was going to use a material for the disc space that my insurance would not cover. Since it was a partial denial by my insurance company I didn't have the surgery and I sure am glad that I read what the insurance company said because the doctor had flat out lied to me! If I had agreed to the surgery without checking on things first I would have come out with a horrible surgery that I did not want!
I started physical therapy 2 weeks ago and I'm already feeling a lot better. My PT seems to have hope that I can realign the vertebrae through physical therapy and using one of those expanding collar things, kind of like traction. I found one online for $5.

In 2001 I had bilateral sacroiliac fixation with large screws and washers. It literally gave my life back because I wasn't able to walk for about 2 years prior to the surgery. The orthopedic doctor who performed that surgery had told me that if I chose to have the surgery done it would put more pressure on the lumbar discs and would cause them to wear sooner than they normally would. And they did, but I expected it! I don't have any discs left in my lumbar spine, the vertebrae are pretty much fused together. I had no choice though because before the SI surgery the pain was so intense that I would pass out, and I couldn't walk.
Because of all of the disc and bone loss I have went from 5 ft 8 in tall to 5 ft 4 in tall over the last 10 years. But I have continued to stay as active as I possibly can. For the most part I stay busy at least 12 hours a day. Most doctors can't believe that I am still able to walk, they are thoroughly shocked. Staying as physically active as possible will strengthen the muscles parallel to your spine and keep you upright and mobile.

It's good to always ask lots of questions about any upcoming surgery to know exactly what the doctor will be doing. But not only that, you should also read the pre-authorization letter from your insurance company, that will explain everything the doctor is going to be doing. Sometimes you will find out things that the doctor didn't tell you! Just like what happened to me!

[RovingOverland]

I ended up with allergic reactions to the titanium and now have to get it redone and found titanium free options except for the screws. We will see on 11/7 how it goes.

[bengt_axle]

Living in Canada, it is really quite interesting to watch this video. Our situation is exactly the OPPOSITE of what you describe. There is a tendency to strongly triage and focus only on the most severely disabled patients first, where there is a clear sign of dysfunction such as lack of muscle tone, lack of reflexes, not being able to function. Pain alone is rarely a basis for surgery, as is the case of numbness, burning etc. -- even when it is corroborated by imaging. Spine surgeons do not want to operate on cases where there is not a clear path to success or a very strong case for doing something in order to prevent an irreversible worsening. I'd say the average waiting time for a pt complaining of pain (but no weakness) is probably 3-4 years. I had a listhesis during the pandemic, walked with a cane for 2 years and still was considered low priority as I had no cauda equina (but saddle area numbness was imminent). Most good spine surgeons will not brag about results, but go over the possible complications, as a matter of due diligence and to cover themselves in case something goes wrong. They are not looking for patients, but looking to focus on the patients that will benefit most. In reality, most patients will see an improvement even if there is a complication, because they were so bad pre-op. New technologies are rarely promoted, as the doctors do not want to risk using something they are not familiar with. We do have lumbar ADR and MIS but open is still done too. Computer guided screw placement is generally not used, as is multiplanar intraoperative imaging. Surgeon skill really matters. I've had 5 spine surgeries and I think the advice given in this video is very solid.

[peu]

Many doctors, not just surgeons, scoff at inquisitive/informed patients. This reveals the character their character and motivation.

[onchang]

Dr. Khan, After a Laminectomy, to what extent is the spinal chord vulnerable to injury from the back? Thank you.

[stephenspadaro]

Better get better soon you doctors are hit and miss with this.

[daveortega]

I remember my self with all of what you said. My dad had that cauda equina syndrome due to that tumor affecting L3-L5, spine surgeon advice to take out that tumor and add disc for support, I didn't understand everything even though I did record and write everything it was to much for me to understand, we did a lot of extensive repeated test and after a month my papa past away, it was metastatic spine cancer, it was really fast that tumor spreads everywhere and I wanted to have the surgery but my papa cannot move his feet his lower limbs he cannot pee and poop he can't sleep, It was a nightmare seeing someone experience this type of cancer, I was hopeful it was just spine cancer because I have a lot of trust with our spine surgeon, he did his best to explain so me and my papa understand it and did explore other options. Thank you for this.

[connormusic]

Wow! A spine surgeon doctor with a heart and concern for the interests of the patient! I twice visited a neurologist who was 45 minutes late for each appointment; and would barely let me get a word in edgewise to the conversation about surgery! All he could mumble was "you need surgery". I had a barrage of questions to ask him, but he was in too much of a hurry to care! What is the objective of the surgery? On what part of my spine anatomy would such a surgical procedure be performed? Show me why the MRI leads you to this conclusion or strategy? And why there? What would the surgical procedure actually accomplish? And would it resolve my issues completely? Or would I need to come back later possibly for another surgery? What are the risks? Are there any guarantees that this will fix all of my pain and neuropathy? If so, are they in writing? And then if it fails to accomplish the objectives; will you refund the money back to me and my insurer? Will it take multiples trips to the operating table to effect total relief of the involved pinched nerve roots or spinal canal? What is the healing process feel like? How long typically does it God, as a critical thinker; these questions roam my mind and those of others!! Is the doctor more interested in collecting money for the office visit than he is in caring for the patient? Then "eff" him and move on to another! Thank-you doctor!

[karinwest]

Glad I found this video before my first consultation. Guess if the doc does not have time to answer questions or explain things, it will not be the right one for me, regardless if I was to consider surgery or not. Thanks for the advice!

[stellabriganti]

Thank you so much for the explanation. I’m facing right now the possibility of a spine surgery . With this information, I learned a lot about it, specially the questions I’m going to ask my surgeon.

[stephenspadaro]

So many people want this doctor to diagnose them on You Tube. Same thing over and over.

[brandonmccain]

Lost my dad last night right before the time change. 8-10hr procedure, spinal fusion. Took over 12hr. And that was oct.24 a week of good news to bad news to good to bad to rollercoaster of unanswered questions. After the surgery he was just a vegetable. Then downhill more problem after problem but they couldn't figure it out. what was used to keep him stable after this rushed intense procedure wound up killing him. I'm angry. My poor mom and brothers