Check out this video from Dr Eric Bricker. In New York, there are 2.5 spine surgeries per thousand patients. In Dallas the rate is 4.9 per thousand and in Denton County in the same metro area is at 8.8 per thousand. If you are in Denton County you are over three times more likely to have spine surgery compared with people who live in New York or San Francisco. Is that because there are more spine problems in Texas. No! It is because surgeons in Texas are more aggressive and willing to operate on more people. Why? One spine operation
I want to be clear. I owe my life to a good surgeon. It you have cancer like I had, you need surgery. If you are overweight, there are better answers than gastric bypass. It has been a long, hard road for my wife, but she is able to do more now.
We really need quality safe healthcare and proper evaluations rather than quick expensive surgical options that might lead to further problems. Very interesting topic. Thank you again.
I had spondylolisthesis, and was diagnosed at 16 years of age and advised not to have surgery. After living most of my life with "hole" in my lower back where the vertebrae did not line up and I had developed foot drop due to nerve damage, I decided to have the surgery. The recovery has been long and slow. Mostly without pain. I still have not regained the strength but it was a successful operation. I babied my self for two years and still I am very cautious about lifting and maintaining good posture.
The first Doctor told me paralysis was high potential. Waiting had the benefit of greater innovation thus a better chance of success.
Thanks Dale. This is a great story. The key is weighing the risks and benefits so that spine surgery occurs only in those who are likely to benefit and for whom alternative treatments are not available. I am delighted that you are having a great result.
Look up the falsified information for MEDTRONICS --and their subsidiaries-- provided by Dr. Steve Glassman and his ASSociates at Kentucky’s Leatherman Spine Institute. He made a boatload of money to falsify study outcomes on a bone-growth stimulator . . . AND THEY ARE STILL PRACTICING MEDICINE AND HAVE DENIED WRONG DOING. I believe the board for neurosurgeons has since barred orthopedic surgeons from participating in their professional conference studies.
This is a real issue. Serious side effects occur in up to 70% of patients and some are life-threatening. BMP-2 is a growth factor and growth factors are central to some cases of cancer.
My sister had some back procedure yesterday. Cut some nerves or such. She didn’t know much about it and hasn’t gotten back to me. My other sis has had many surgeries on her spine- some helped many didn’t so she has painful flares all her life (injuries from working with horses). I have had relief from instituting a program developed by Dr. John Sarno and now others to address TMS. Tension Myositis Syndrome. Perceived pain used by our minds to “protect” us or distract us from other deeper emotions. It’s fascinating and has worked on a couple of my pain areas--quite dramatically. Much chronic pain begins in our emotions. Mostly hidden. I think the association of the psychiatrists in the surgery clinics are just part of the way they round up people for $$. Same with the transgender issue. The psychiatrists and therapists are in on it with the “confirming” industry. Why do I think that? It is happening to my only grandchild who at 16 has had top surgery already. I’m sick about it.
Thanks Janet. Your comments are always so thoughtful. I would recommend that anyone with back pain consult a MacKenzie trained physical therapist. They use a series of maneuvers to establish an accurate diagnosis. That is the base for everything that follows. Then they prescribe certain movements. I have thoroughly vetted Integrated Mechanical Care and they have people all over the country. They do great work.
I will pass that on to both. My one sister (in Ireland) sees a PT for relief which does help. I’m curious now what that program may be. Is that an actual treatment plan or for diagnosis only?
I wonder how many times surgery is recommended - when it is absolutely wrong? I would think many people don't know what questions to ask or have the insights you do. Thank you for sharing your wife's experience. I hope she is doing well.
Keen insight. Good medical decisions are all about weighing risk vs benefits. Too many people don't get enough information to participate effectively in the decisions about their health.
Very good post and kudos to you and your wife for taking true responsibility, for her medical wellbeing. In the face of chronic pain, that is one of the first things to go, in trade for relief.
I lost my trust and confidence in all things medical establishment, decades ago when I was in the military. I had herniated a disc, as a result of a parachute landing in high winds, on concrete. I immediately lost all feeling below the waist, that thankfully came back with 5 minutes of laying there trying to assess the situation. 10 minutes later I was in a vehicle (in pain) going to get others who were on the jump. I had sustained constant back pain (L5/S1) and pretty bad knee pain. 2 weeks later, I was in the back of a cramped vehicle, in a convoy moving through Bosnia - popping 800mg ibuprofens.
Over the next year and a half, I would have episodes of my back "going out" and be on the floor for hours in pain, before I could stand again - all other times it was a constant 5 out of 10 pain level. I finally brought the injury up, to a flight surgeon (the only reason was non-medical circumstances happening at the time). He sent me to an orthopedist. This "expert" diagnosed me with micro tears in my gluteal muscle and recommended analgesic cream, ibuprofen and PT. Of course he didn't listen, when I told him it was not muscular, but skeletal.
I went back to the Flt doc and pushed for a second opinion. The second "expert" was less condescending, but agreed with the first "expert". I pushed him for an MRI and he begrudgingly wrote the order, while saying it was not needed.
Of course, when the films were reviewed, there was the disc bulge for all to see - including expert #2 - who was now saying "I knew we would find this...". Great job Dr. Genius.
Today, the only reason I go see a doctor is to maintain my VA eligibility, which counts as my healthcare insurance - because you have to show proof on tax returns. If not for that, the only time I would darken any of their doors would be if a bone was sticking out, blood was coming out of my ears, or two waste openings, I was having a severe systemic "shock" reaction to something or I was incapacitated (think accident/heart attack/stroke).
Other than those scenarios, they can get stuffed. I know my body and system better than they ever will - they are guessing - I lived it daily and am the one responsible for tending to the issues I have, to the extent possible.
I will caveat that, with saying "to each their own".
However, as your post shows, we must never forget that these experts have conformation biases, ulterior motives, detachment syndrome - the solutions they foist on you are not ones they will ever live with and in many cases there is a god/expert complex at play.
The scamdemic should have made those things crystal clear, but alas, the masses are happy to wear the blinder they've been given for centuries.
I want to be clear. I owe my life to a good surgeon. It you have cancer like I had, you need surgery. If you are overweight, there are better answers than gastric bypass. It has been a long, hard road for my wife, but she is able to do more now.
Orthopedics mixed with hired physiatrists is a toxic brew of corruption. People need to be aware. Good story, Bill!
Thanks Joseph
Of course. Making “diagnosis” for profits is absolutely disgusting and truly ugly corruption.
As physicians, we must reject this ugliness. We must restore the trust, if not too late already, to keep our oath.
I am so thankful for all of you.
Thank you, Laura S.
Fabulous info. I hope your wife is much better now - or even pain-free.
Thanks
We really need quality safe healthcare and proper evaluations rather than quick expensive surgical options that might lead to further problems. Very interesting topic. Thank you again.
I appreciate your comment
It’s nothing compared to your findings
Once again you enlighten us. Will be sharing this very helpful information. I have a friend suffering from this and they want to do an implant.
I would always start with a MacKenzie trained physical therapist.
I had spondylolisthesis, and was diagnosed at 16 years of age and advised not to have surgery. After living most of my life with "hole" in my lower back where the vertebrae did not line up and I had developed foot drop due to nerve damage, I decided to have the surgery. The recovery has been long and slow. Mostly without pain. I still have not regained the strength but it was a successful operation. I babied my self for two years and still I am very cautious about lifting and maintaining good posture.
The first Doctor told me paralysis was high potential. Waiting had the benefit of greater innovation thus a better chance of success.
Thanks Dale. This is a great story. The key is weighing the risks and benefits so that spine surgery occurs only in those who are likely to benefit and for whom alternative treatments are not available. I am delighted that you are having a great result.
Look up the falsified information for MEDTRONICS --and their subsidiaries-- provided by Dr. Steve Glassman and his ASSociates at Kentucky’s Leatherman Spine Institute. He made a boatload of money to falsify study outcomes on a bone-growth stimulator . . . AND THEY ARE STILL PRACTICING MEDICINE AND HAVE DENIED WRONG DOING. I believe the board for neurosurgeons has since barred orthopedic surgeons from participating in their professional conference studies.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4964756/pdf/ten.teb.2015.0357.pdf
This is a real issue. Serious side effects occur in up to 70% of patients and some are life-threatening. BMP-2 is a growth factor and growth factors are central to some cases of cancer.
My sister had some back procedure yesterday. Cut some nerves or such. She didn’t know much about it and hasn’t gotten back to me. My other sis has had many surgeries on her spine- some helped many didn’t so she has painful flares all her life (injuries from working with horses). I have had relief from instituting a program developed by Dr. John Sarno and now others to address TMS. Tension Myositis Syndrome. Perceived pain used by our minds to “protect” us or distract us from other deeper emotions. It’s fascinating and has worked on a couple of my pain areas--quite dramatically. Much chronic pain begins in our emotions. Mostly hidden. I think the association of the psychiatrists in the surgery clinics are just part of the way they round up people for $$. Same with the transgender issue. The psychiatrists and therapists are in on it with the “confirming” industry. Why do I think that? It is happening to my only grandchild who at 16 has had top surgery already. I’m sick about it.
Thanks Janet. Your comments are always so thoughtful. I would recommend that anyone with back pain consult a MacKenzie trained physical therapist. They use a series of maneuvers to establish an accurate diagnosis. That is the base for everything that follows. Then they prescribe certain movements. I have thoroughly vetted Integrated Mechanical Care and they have people all over the country. They do great work.
I will pass that on to both. My one sister (in Ireland) sees a PT for relief which does help. I’m curious now what that program may be. Is that an actual treatment plan or for diagnosis only?
I wonder how many times surgery is recommended - when it is absolutely wrong? I would think many people don't know what questions to ask or have the insights you do. Thank you for sharing your wife's experience. I hope she is doing well.
Keen insight. Good medical decisions are all about weighing risk vs benefits. Too many people don't get enough information to participate effectively in the decisions about their health.
I know that was very true in my case. I intuitively knew better but didn't have the facts to make a strong argument - or any argument for that matter.
That is why I write here. It is all about understanding the risks and benefits so that we can achieve better health at lower costs. for ourselves.
Janet They diagnose and follow that with highly targeted treatments
Sadly, intergrity is a rarity nowadays.
Very good post and kudos to you and your wife for taking true responsibility, for her medical wellbeing. In the face of chronic pain, that is one of the first things to go, in trade for relief.
I lost my trust and confidence in all things medical establishment, decades ago when I was in the military. I had herniated a disc, as a result of a parachute landing in high winds, on concrete. I immediately lost all feeling below the waist, that thankfully came back with 5 minutes of laying there trying to assess the situation. 10 minutes later I was in a vehicle (in pain) going to get others who were on the jump. I had sustained constant back pain (L5/S1) and pretty bad knee pain. 2 weeks later, I was in the back of a cramped vehicle, in a convoy moving through Bosnia - popping 800mg ibuprofens.
Over the next year and a half, I would have episodes of my back "going out" and be on the floor for hours in pain, before I could stand again - all other times it was a constant 5 out of 10 pain level. I finally brought the injury up, to a flight surgeon (the only reason was non-medical circumstances happening at the time). He sent me to an orthopedist. This "expert" diagnosed me with micro tears in my gluteal muscle and recommended analgesic cream, ibuprofen and PT. Of course he didn't listen, when I told him it was not muscular, but skeletal.
I went back to the Flt doc and pushed for a second opinion. The second "expert" was less condescending, but agreed with the first "expert". I pushed him for an MRI and he begrudgingly wrote the order, while saying it was not needed.
Of course, when the films were reviewed, there was the disc bulge for all to see - including expert #2 - who was now saying "I knew we would find this...". Great job Dr. Genius.
Today, the only reason I go see a doctor is to maintain my VA eligibility, which counts as my healthcare insurance - because you have to show proof on tax returns. If not for that, the only time I would darken any of their doors would be if a bone was sticking out, blood was coming out of my ears, or two waste openings, I was having a severe systemic "shock" reaction to something or I was incapacitated (think accident/heart attack/stroke).
Other than those scenarios, they can get stuffed. I know my body and system better than they ever will - they are guessing - I lived it daily and am the one responsible for tending to the issues I have, to the extent possible.
I will caveat that, with saying "to each their own".
However, as your post shows, we must never forget that these experts have conformation biases, ulterior motives, detachment syndrome - the solutions they foist on you are not ones they will ever live with and in many cases there is a god/expert complex at play.
The scamdemic should have made those things crystal clear, but alas, the masses are happy to wear the blinder they've been given for centuries.
Best regards.