Suggest Treatment For Hereditary Degenerative Disc Disease

Posted on Thu, 8 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 8 Jan 2015 Answered on

Thu, 5 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been diagnosed with hereditary degenerative disc disease. Last February 2014 I underwent my 3rd operation to my back, an L1L2 lamenectomy. The cervical and lumbar operations are doing well. The problem is the lower L5S1 operation of 25 years ago, which has crumbled causing scoliosis and sciatica. The spinal injections from Dr XXXXXXX XXXXXXX in XXXXXXX CT have stopped being effective for the pain, which is excruciating and 24/7. I am not sleeping and can not find a comfortable position. Dr XXXXXXX Mintz, of Trumbull CT has expressed reluctance to attempt to operate on my lower spine citing that it would be a very difficult operation. Dr. XXXXXXX is recommending surgery. Do I check with Dr XXXXXXX Krug, a family member and physiatrist at XXXXXXX Hospital in XXXXXXX CT (1 1/2 hours away) or do I check with Dr Abedd from XXXXXXX New XXXXXXX which is where I underwent breast cancer surgery, chemo and radiation in 2013? I need to do something and am unsure of which direction to take. Thank you for your time and consideration.
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Another spinal surgeon opinion.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.

It is always tricky asking family members for opinions so I would avoid that if possible. It puts the doctor in a difficult position. It is sometimes hard for us to be objective about family members.

Dr Abedd at XXXXXXX is a neurosurgeon and he would be an excellent person to make an assessment and give you a second opinion. He is the chief of the spine section of Neurosurgery and would be an excellent choice to explain the pros and cons of this type of surgery to you.

I hope you get some relief from your pain soon.

Thank you for using HCM.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari