Sydney back specialists

[injuryupdate]

This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive list, but a guide to some of the specialists who see exclusively or mainly back problems in Sydney, with an emphasis on sport. In Sydney the level of sub-specialisation is greater than other states because of the greater population, but I would encourage anyone from other cities to post a guide to the names in their town. I don't expect a ranking system, just a helpful guide as to who is working in the area:

Surgeons:
John Stephen, Prince of Wales Private, 96504770
Malcolm Pell, St Vincent’s Clinic, 83826766
Ian Farey, 445 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, 94195311
Richard Hudson, 2/4 Wentworth St Manly, 99774511
Warwick Stenning, Prince of Wales Private, 96504997
John Sheehy, St Vincent’s Clinic, 83826757
Peter Blum, High St & Belmore Rd Randwick, 93995274
Tim Steel, St. Vincent’s Clinic, 93326754

If anyone knows of others who are experts in back injuries in Sydney, please add to the list (or start another thread if you know of others in a different state).

[biing]

there is another

Associate Professor Lali Sekhon
Sydney Neurospine Clinic
Level 10 Tower B
West Wing 799 Pacific Highway
Chatswood
Tel 94154233

biing Yin


Surgeons:
John Stephen, Prince of Wales Private, 96504770
Malcolm Pell, St Vincent’s Clinic, 83826766
Ian Farey, 445 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, 94195311
Richard Hudson, 2/4 Wentworth St Manly, 99774511
Warwick Stenning, Prince of Wales Private, 96504997
John Sheehy, St Vincent’s Clinic, 83826757
Peter Blum, High St & Belmore Rd Randwick, 93995274
Tim Steel, St. Vincent’s Clinic, 93326754

If anyone knows of others who are experts in back injuries in Sydney, please add to the list (or start another thread if you know of others in a different state).[/QUOTE]

[injuryupdate]

It sounds like you will do very well on the interview section of the neurosurgery training program entrance assessment, particularly if PB is head of the interview panel. Can you tell us whether he is good looking as well?

[Unregistered]

4 month wait at St Vincent's to see a Neurosurgeon: That would be bliss for the practice I work in. We have not one new patient slot left for 2006 and our follow ups are at 4 months. Of course all post ops are at six weeks. The Neurosurgeon I work for now can only take new patients at the urgent request of GP's and other Specialists and for those patients only who need surgery.

[Merri]

I would like to know who the Neurosurgeons are in Sydney and I realise here is not the place to gather a long list of names: I have tried the AMA site with no success. Can anyone advise me where to look? (besides the obvious telephone book!) I suppose I could ring around all the hospitals and ask but that sounds a bit too hard and prolonged.
Any ideas? Oh! and do any of them have websites?

[injuryupdate]

You can look on this site and hopefully can find a few (including the above).

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately - Professor Sekhon is no longer practicing in this country. He's moved to the USA.

I'ld like to know more about Dr. Peter Bentivoglio - has anyone here been operated on by him?

thanks
kat

[Unregistered]

Dr Charlie Teo works out of Prince of Wales Private and I believe now only treats brain tumours (and private patients only).

[Unregistered]

I have heard Charlie Teo is an excellent brain tumour surgeon, but I am not aware that he is into spinal surgery that much.

[Unregistered]

"crap neurosurgeon" how can that be.... I am in such awe of Neurosurgeons I believe them to be "the best of the best" but I am definately biased because I actually work "for the best"

[Help]

I have seen 2 neurosurgeons in Sydney recently regarding a cervical disc protrusion at c6 pressing on a root nerve. 1 of the 2 surgeons is very well-renowned (and is mentioned on this site).

My issue is that their advice/opinion differs significantly. The 1st is more aggressive about undertaking surgery in general and suggests using the ACDF approach. The 2nd is more conservative (ie recommends that I wait-and-see for the next couple of weeks) generally more optimistic about non-surgical solutions and recommends a posterior foramenotomy and removal of only the protrusion if surgery eventuates. As someone who is petrified of surgery on my neck and eager to go the least invasive or risky route, I would obvioulsy like to trust surgeon 2. My question is, is there any objective measure I can use when choosing who to trust?

I suppose that one thing I might do is go for a 3rd opinion, but this may just cause more confusion again. Is there are a source of information that I might tap into that might be valuable guidance? For example, are there hospital records or some kind of database of precendents that I might be able to look at? Or is my best hope to rely on web forums such as this and other sources of word-of-mouth?

I would be grateful for any advice that anyone out there may have.

[Help2]

I would be grateful for any opinions that anyone out there may have about this procedure; particularly as an alternative to the 'traditional' method of Anterior Discectomy and Fusion technique to remedy a cervical nerve root compression.

It seems that every day there is another surgeon promoting an alternative solution to procedures such as ACDF. Some of them are patently unsafe (eg most neurosugeons are horrified with endoscopies on the cervical spine, even though there are surgeons in the US who rave about it).

My question is, what is the consensus on Posterior Cervical Foramenotomy and Discectomy to relieve root nerve compression?

I would be grateful for any advice or guidance anyone out there can offer.

[RugbyInjury]

I have seen 2 neurosurgeons in Sydney recently regarding a cervical disc protrusion at c6 pressing on a root nerve. 1 of the 2 surgeons is very well-renowned (and is mentioned on this site).

My issue is that their advice/opinion differs significantly. The 1st is more aggressive about undertaking surgery in general and suggests using the ACDF approach. The 2nd is more conservative (ie recommends that I wait-and-see for the next couple of weeks) generally more optimistic about non-surgical solutions and recommends a posterior foramenotomy and removal of only the protrusion if surgery eventuates. As someone who is petrified of surgery on my neck and eager to go the least invasive or risky route, I would obvioulsy like to trust surgeon 2. My question is, is there any objective measure I can use when choosing who to trust?

I suppose that one thing I might do is go for a 3rd opinion, but this may just cause more confusion again. Is there are a source of information that I might tap into that might be valuable guidance? For example, are there hospital records or some kind of database of precendents that I might be able to look at? Or is my best hope to rely on web forums such as this and other sources of word-of-mouth?

I would be grateful for any advice that anyone out there may have.

I have recently been diagnosed with a major cervical disc protrusion at c6 - similar to Help. It is characterised in my case by pins and needles down my left arm. Help, did you end up getting any more info regarding non surgical correction for this? I have not seen a neuro surgeon but have been referred to one. I am more keen to go through all the non surgical options first though. Just curious where you are at with your issue?

[rpcookie]

I have traumatic spondylolisthesis and have just had further slippage.
My Doctor has suggested that i may need it to be braced, i would like to know if anyone has had this operation and could possibly tell me how it went?
Alternatively could anyone give professional opinion for the pros and cons of this treatment?
Also does anyone have an opinion on Peter Bentivoglio as a surgeon for treating this condition.
Thank you.

[Sznn]

Does anyone know much about Dr Richard Parkinson from St vincents Clinic.
I need to have surgery on my cervical spine (c1) but not sure who is good.

[kish]

I have had 2 operations by one of these spe******ts on the list and have just found out I have another compression. I have great faith in the surgeon as he has enabled me to continue working. Yes, my back is no longer strong but to look at me you would never know I have back problems. Don't know where new problem is going to go - but I will return to the surgeon I know and trust.

[Merri]

Dr Mark Davies (St George Private/Public) is gaining a repuatation for excellent work on the neck and back. He is very difficult to get an appointment with. Depends on the severity of the condition as to how quickly you can be seen. But I have heard the wait is definately worth it.

[neuroreg]

Common quote in neurosurgery "I would rather be the luckiest neurosurgeon than the best neurosurgeon".

[CodyH.]

G'day all,

Saw my GP today and will probably be searching for a neuro very soon. Hurt my neck aftr a fall (I posted in the head and neck forum but wanted to check out this forum as well). interesting what you say neuroreg about being "a Lucky neurosurgeon." I want the BEST not the Luckiest, because luck to me means a lack of consistency and the Best always gets consistently High Quality results. In rugby, the BEST team will far outperform the "Luckiest" team by a long way even if the luckiest team does pull off an occaisional "Lucky" game and victory. Still, each to their own I suppose. Canwalkagain, could you tell me a little bit more about Dr. Bentivoglio. You can message me privately or publicly if you choose.

Cheers all

Cody

[canwalkagain]

Hello Cody,

I am sorry to hear about your fall and your neck. I hope that the pain is manageable with some strong pain killers while you wait to find out what the problem is. Your symptoms sound very similar to mine, only I also had problems with mobility. I have just written you a private message about my symptoms and what sort of drugs I was on. read it and get back to me. As for Dr. Bentivoglio, he is FANTASTIC. He is very upfront and honest. For me surgery was the BEST and most sensible route. He may suggest something more conservative for you, he may not. If you want, call up his secretary and make an appointment ASAP. I do not know what his wait list is at the moment, it is probably quite long, maybe get your GP to make the appointment or get him/her to call Dr. B personally as that may get you in straight away. You couldn't find a better pair of hands to put yourself into. All best to you and yours.

[sandradee]

Unfortunately - Professor Sekhon is no longer practicing in this country. He's moved to the USA.

I'ld like to know more about Dr. Peter Bentivoglio - has anyone here been operated on by him?

thanks
kat

Hi Kat,

I'm a 28 year old female that was fit, healthy, a gym nut, runs two businesses and was born with pars defect on L5 S1. About a year and a half ago my back progressively got to the point where I realised one night in bed that it feel like it was broken (I had a pars defect, a 7mm slip and really bad sciaticia in both legs) , I couldn't move for the pain and was scared silly till I when to see Dr Bentivoglio.
I was operated on by Dr. Peter Bentivoligo on the 6th if this month, three weeks ago tomorrow. I had the a spinal fusion on L5 S1 and decompression surgery in St Vincents Public hospital with Dr Bentivoglio and two of the public hospitals neuro surgeons doing the op. I found Dr Bentivoglio to be an amazing doctor to deal with in my visits before the surgery. He only turned a little sour faced when I decided to have the surgery done in the public hospital. As for the operation I was in hospital for 10 days and wasn't aloud to move for three and a half days before standing. I have to admit it was the most painful experience of my life but so far so so worth it as I have no sciaticia in my legs that I suffered from badly before (in the right when I was standing and the left when sitting). I have a beautiful scar which is so straight, perfect and I'm proud to show off. Since coming home I have had left sciaticia when I'm walking for longer then 2 minutes which is reducing a little everday as the swelling goes down. The only other thing is I have a weird patch of skin on my left cheek that hurts to touch and feels like a burn when I lay on it, I'm told that this will soon go as well.

The whole experience of a spinal fusion has been great from the word go and the staff especially the nurses at St Vincents Public Hospital are amazing people that pumped me full of positive vibes when some days I was struggling with what I was going through.

I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Bentivoglio as a surgeon or having an spinal op in the St Vincents Public Hospital and anyone please feel free to ask me questions if you like. It was this site that actually gave me peace of mind to have the operation done and I hope that I can help others to not be afraid to have the surgery as I know everyday that my life is becoming a million times better without the pain xx

[sandradee]

I would like to know who the Neurosurgeons are in Sydney and I realise here is not the place to gather a long list of names: I have tried the AMA site with no success. Can anyone advise me where to look? (besides the obvious telephone book!) I suppose I could ring around all the hospitals and ask but that sounds a bit too hard and prolonged.
Any ideas? Oh! and do any of them have websites?

I just had my spinal fusion done three weeks ago by Dr Peter Bentivoglio 02 83 826 751
im having the most amazing recovery and couldnt be happier

[sandradee]

I have traumatic spondylolisthesis and have just had further slippage.
My Doctor has suggested that i may need it to be braced, i would like to know if anyone has had this operation and could possibly tell me how it went?
Alternatively could anyone give professional opinion for the pros and cons of this treatment?
Also does anyone have an opinion on Peter Bentivoglio as a surgeon for treating this condition.
Thank you.
I'm a 28 year old female that was fit, healthy, a gym nut, runs two businesses and was born with pars defect (spondylolisthesis) on L5 S1. About a year and a half ago my back progressively got to the point where I realised one night in bed that it feel like it was broken (I had a pars defect, a 7mm slip and really bad sciaticia in both legs) , I couldn't move for the pain and was scared silly till I when to see Dr Bentivoglio.
I was operated on by Dr. Peter Bentivoligo on the 6th if this month, three weeks ago tomorrow. I had the a spinal fusion on L5 S1 and decompression surgery in St Vincents Public hospital with Dr Bentivoglio and two of the public hospitals neuro surgeons doing the op. I found Dr Bentivoglio to be an amazing doctor to deal with in my visits before the surgery. He only turned a little sour faced when I decided to have the surgery done in the public hospital. As for the operation I was in hospital for 10 days and wasn't aloud to move for three and a half days before standing. I have to admit it was the most painful experience of my life but so far so so worth it as I have no sciaticia in my legs that I suffered from badly before (in the right when I was standing and the left when sitting). I have a beautiful scar which is so straight, perfect and I'm proud to show off. Since coming home I have had left sciaticia when I'm walking for longer then 2 minutes which is reducing a little everday as the swelling goes down. The only other thing is I have a weird patch of skin on my left cheek that hurts to touch and feels like a burn when I lay on it, I'm told that this will soon go as well.

The whole experience of a spinal fusion has been great from the word go and the staff especially the nurses at St Vincents Public Hospital are amazing people that pumped me full of positive vibes when some days I was struggling with what I was going through.

I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Bentivoglio as a surgeon or having an spinal op in the St Vincents Public Hospital and anyone please feel free to ask me questions if you like. It was this site that actually gave me peace of mind to have the operation done and I hope that I can help others to not be afraid to have the surgery as I know everyday that my life is becoming a million times better without the pain xx

[sandradee]

G'day all,

Saw my GP today and will probably be searching for a neuro very soon. Hurt my neck aftr a fall (I posted in the head and neck forum but wanted to check out this forum as well). interesting what you say neuroreg about being "a Lucky neurosurgeon." I want the BEST not the Luckiest, because luck to me means a lack of consistency and the Best always gets consistently High Quality results. In rugby, the BEST team will far outperform the "Luckiest" team by a long way even if the luckiest team does pull off an occaisional "Lucky" game and victory. Still, each to their own I suppose. Canwalkagain, could you tell me a little bit more about Dr. Bentivoglio. You can message me privately or publicly if you choose.

Cheers all

Cody

Dr Bentivoglio is awesome and I had my spinal fusion done by him three weeks ago tomorrow. Couldn't be happier and I have written about my whole experience in response to others wanting to know about him.

sandradee

[mark williams]

Hi sandradee,
Thanks for your post. My condition is identical to yours with a pars bilateral facture and a 5 mm slip shown on ct scan obtained in laying position. I am 41 year old male tradesman and have been off work for 4 weeks as i find it impossible to go on with the pain getting worse daily.
My doctor says spinal fusion is inevitable and i see a neurosurgeon next week. Dr R Cook.
I am encouraged by your comments but from my research it seems to be a matter of luck as regards the outcome.
Everyone i speak to takes a sharp intake of breath when i mention fusion and tells me of some terrible experience.
Im glad yours went well.
Did they take the graft from your illac crest or was it the new artificial stuff?.
How was it the first week after the opp?
Was your surgery on medicare and how long did u have to wait.
Thanks for your time mark.

[mark williams]

Hi sandradee,
Thanks for your post. My condition is identical to yours with a pars bilateral facture and a 5 mm slip shown on ct scan obtained in laying position. I am 41 year old male tradesman and have been off work for 4 weeks as i find it impossible to go on with the pain getting worse daily.
My doctor says spinal fusion is inevitable and i see a neurosurgeon next week. Dr R Cook.
I am encouraged by your comments but from my research it seems to be a matter of luck as regards the outcome.
Everyone i speak to takes a sharp intake of breath when i mention fusion and tells me of some terrible experience.
Im glad yours went well.
Did they take the graft from your illac crest or was it the new artificial stuff?.
How was it the first week after the opp?
Was your surgery on medicare and how long did u have to wait.
Thanks for your time mark.

[LDur]

Hi there,
I'm 27 and had a discetomy 6 years ago following severe back pain and sciatica down my left leg. I've since moved to Sydney and have a few months ago began to get severe back pain, which moved into my left leg again. I went to see a neurosurgeon in sydney and found that there is a prolapse of the l5-s1 disc (where the original discetomy took place) which was leaning heavily on my sciatic nerve. He then sent me first to get cortisol injection, which alleviated the sciatica somewhat, but 4 weeks later, although the pain is gone from my leg most of the time, I have now pain across my lower back ,and have not been able to do any form of light exercise/ stretching without severe pain resulting in my lower back and both legs for at least a day.

I'm very confused as to whether I need to move to surgery - as somedays this is just a numbing pain, that I think I can live with and other days quite severe and the fact that I can't do any form of exercise (which I really enjoyed prior to all this) makes me think, this is definitely NOT somethine I can live with, however sporadic it may be.

Has anyone any advice? I haven't heard to many great things about Spinal fusion either and not much about inplants. I've been to see Malcolm Pell at St Vincents in Sydney. Does anyone know anything or have any experience with him?

Your thoughts/ experience/ advice are greatly appreciated....

[gregReid]

He operated on a pinched nerve in my neck at c7. I had neck and left arm pain as a result of the pinched nerve. Seven years after operation I suffer with severe pain at the sight of the operation although the arm pain has diminished. From what I can gather from other Doctors and the internet I have epidural adhesions or anacroyditis(not sure of spelling) or scar tissue. I take a number of pain medications and cannot work. I was medically discharged from my job. Reply to Ldur asking for experience with Dr.

[Don Marco]

Hi There

I have had extensive Spinal Surgery since i was born.

I currently have 28 pedical screws and 7 rods in my spine from the base of my cervical spine through to the lumbar spine.

I have had a total of 6 operations and ALL were performed by Spinal Neurosurgeons.

You MUST NOT go past Dr Andrew Kam, at Westmead, Dr Nazih Assaad/Dr Bill Sears at North Shore Hospital or Dr Mark Coughlan who works with renouned Brain Surgeon Charlie Teo out of Prince of Wales Hospital.

They are the best in the field and have made me walk again. I have also seen people in some dangerous situtations. The miracles these men perform are remarkable.

They all have my admiration and blessing.

[klo]

Hello,

This is my first time posting on this site. I had a laminectomy 7 yrs ago at the C2-3 level by Peter Bentivoglio, he was absolutely fantastic and I have been under his care since. Unfortunatley as a result of the laminectomy there was a slip in my vertabrae which Peter let me know at some stage would have to be dealt with because of my congentially narrow spinal canal. When I went to see him this year he saw through the MRI that I had also developed a disc protrusion at C6. He's referred me to Bill Sears who considers that a fusion needs to be undertaken at some stage in the foreseeable future from C2 - T3 but for the moment we should wait and see. He's also referred me to Ian Farey who he considers to be one of the best in Australia for treating people with extremley narrow spinal canals that also have trauma ie the laminectomy.

If there are others on the site who have had either experience with Sears or Farey I'd be grateful to hear your feedback. I'd also be grateful to hear about experiences that people have had with large fusions and what to expect in terms of recovery time. There is a school of thought that to go ahead before symptoms/ pain become worse is better - I am in no pain at the moment, I only have the tingling and this was present before my laminectomy. What the surgeons are concerned about is if the slip becomes worse over the years I may lose function, this of course has to be balanced with the risks of surgery.

Have a great day everyone.

K-Lo.

[wazzas-back]

hi sandradee
i to suffer from the same and i;m going in for surgery in march 2009 could you tell me what exercisers they have you doing as my surgeon has told me that he will operate in the morning and that afternoon i will be up and walking around to make sure i dont get any blood clots and to stay loose and free of stiffness/ me L4 L5 AND A 5 MM SLIP AND A TEAR ON THE SACRUM BONE with lots of pain in both legs and lower back some days i could just cut my legs off thats how bad the pain gets

[kjwilkin]

If you are unsure whether you should have surgery I would be getting a second opinion.

Seeing a sports physician to get a referral would be a good idea. They would be able to give you the pros and cons and refer you to a good spinal surgeon.

There are some really good sports physicians in Melbourne. Let me know if you want some names.

[ebayhtl]

Bumping this thread.

Just wanted to see if anyone else had any recommendations re: surgeons for lower back in Sydney. Would prefer someone that is flexible in terms of public or private hospitals.

I'm seeing a neurosurgeon soon and would of course need a second opinion, whatever he says.

Thanks guys!

[ebayhtl]

Would also prefer someone with a particular interest in minimal invasive surgery if possible.

Thanks guys!

[chuckieb]

I saw 2 from the 1st poster's list ...

Dr Stenning was my 1st opinion
Dr Sheehy was my operating surgeon/2nd opinion ... both advised operating was the only option within about 30 seconds of looking at my scans.

[Wondering Wanda]

Would also prefer someone with a particular interest in minimal invasive surgery if possible.

Thanks guys!

Hey ebayhtl, I can strongly recommend Dr Jeffery Brennan. He is based at RPA, but also operates in private hospitals. He is an excellent doctor and I've been more than happy with the two surgeries he has done on me. I had a cervical fusion and then twelve months later had to have a L5 / S1 discectomy. Both procedures went extremely well so I have no hesitation in recommending him. Good luck!

[bec_kng]

Hi, I have found myself in a little bit of a fix.

I am 36 yr old female and about 5 months ago I had a 3 mtr fall, hitting a my spine on the way down. The doctor missed the problem for 2 months because apart from excruciating pain I did not have any 'normal' symptoms of spinal damage (nerve problems etc). Eventually he realised I had a fracture to the T12, bone frgments, 3 disc block compression that had moved forward and to the side. An MRI showed that somehow the spinal collumn had not been affected. (VERY LUCKY)

I think I was in denial because I was in pain but mobile and able to do things (and my doctor was a quack!), so I just kept going for bone density... xrays etc... but now 5 months have passed... and I have had no treatment save for 'hanging' regularly on a rack my friend hung in the garage.... I have been told the injury is unusual because of the fracture on the interior side of the spine has saved me from the terrible conquences a T12 injury can cause... however after this time, I find my spine trying to heal and re-adjust and it is popping out all over the place. I have a lot of pain and am impeded in everyday activities. (I am a stone carver / sculptor with 3 kids on my own) I need to find a spinal surgeon but really want to see someone who is non-invasive and I really need to find a fantastic physio to help me strengthen the muscles which are really weak and painful. I am finding that now the rest of my spine and neck is clicking out all over the place and would sincerely love some advice. The quack doctor has given me an open referral to a surgeon / physio so I can find someone very good because if I dont heal.... my career is over and god knows what I'm going to do with the kids....

Thanks in advance bec_kng

[geniaus]

Dr Jonathon Ball http://www.neurospine.com.au has recently returned from Canada and is practising in St Leonards and operating at Royal North Shore and North Shore Private Hospitals.

'phone 02 9438 3785 email enquiries@neurospine.com.au

[debantz]

I have just found this site .
I see many questions I can talk about.
I am a medical practitioner but like so many of you I was terrified when I need my first lot of cervical neurosurgery . I canceled it initiall and lived though the hell of pain . Then one day I realised I had lost a lot of strength in my L arm I had an urgent C6-7 fusion with excellent results. This was an anterior approach with Dr Marainne Vanu at Prince of Wales.
Then I had an urgent L4-5 laminectomy 5 years later with Dr Mark avies at St George with great results and later the same year I had a C 4-5C5-6 disc replacementsfor chronic denervation of my right arm also with Dr Mark Davies These operations were a huge success. I left the disc replacements of the neck too long . I had no pain . Dr Davies was fantastic. He was patient with me and my huge emotionality . He explained everything. At this time of writing I need either a L5S1 laminectomy or a fusion. I live in Adelaide and I am very disaapointed in my m,anagement to date . I am trying to gey to Sydney to see Dr Davies as I trust him completely . Up to now I have not been able to walk let alone sit on an airoplane since Janurary .
I hope I have helped.

[tia-maria]

debantz,
Hi just been reading your comment and you have gone through so much pain and suffering,and also notice that your occupation is a medical practition, which usually we never hear so much suffering from any GP.
I had a spinal L5S1 fusion on 11 th March at RPA and this was a success, and yes I have heard of your DR Davis as a friend of mine was waiting to have an operation done by him and the waiting list was far too long and another neurosurgeon done the opp. last week.
May I ask you what happen to you?
good luck and hope you be able to get to sydney
cheers
tia-maria

[vikk]

I've been reading and re-reading the posts on this thread for a while now to help me decide which specialists to seek out for an opinion, and to work out whether or not surgery is indicated for my condition. I've been a long term lower back pain (mild) and sciatica (mild to severe, alternate sides) sufferer, while managing to lead an active lifestyle. Unfortunately a few weeks ago things got worse, leading to my first MRI and diagnosis of a badly prolapsed L5/S1 disc, with some sequestered disc causing most of the damage, resulting in moderate levels of pain/tingling/numbness and weakness in my right leg. After getting a number of opinions from specialists (most of whom are mentioned in this thread), and alternative medicine practitioners, I am now leaning towards getting a discectomy rather than waiting for natural healing to occur in due time (1-5 yrs is what I've been advised).

So I wanted to put a few of questions to this forum - would appreciate your feedback :

1) What advice have you received from specialists in relation to forms of discectomy available, and which is more suited in various conditions? The options I've been steered towards are the mini-discectomy, micro-discectomy, and endoscopic discectomy. I have had all 3 recommended and get the feeling that each surgeon recommends the one they are most skilled/experienced at, and therefore more comfortable performing, rather than which might be indicated by the diagnosis and could deliver the best result in the situation.

2) Does anyone know where I can find the figures of long term success rates for these procedures? Again, each specialist is giving me a slightly different prognosis... how would one go about doing some research to try and reconcile all these opinions and making an informed decision?

3) Is there any advantage to having a neurosurgeon perform a laminectomy/discectomy procedure, rather than an orthopaedic surgeon?

If anyone has any experience with Dr Andreas Loefler (of Prince of Wales Hosp.) would also appreciate your feedback.

Look forward to hearing from you - thanks!

[inenigma]

So I wanted to put a few of questions to this forum - would appreciate your feedback :

1) What advice have you received from specialists in relation to forms of discectomy available, and which is more suited in various conditions? The options I've been steered towards are the mini-discectomy, micro-discectomy, and endoscopic discectomy. I have had all 3 recommended and get the feeling that each surgeon recommends the one they are most skilled/experienced at, and therefore more comfortable performing, rather than which might be indicated by the diagnosis and could deliver the best result in the situation.

2) Does anyone know where I can find the figures of long term success rates for these procedures? Again, each specialist is giving me a slightly different prognosis... how would one go about doing some research to try and reconcile all these opinions and making an informed decision?

3) Is there any advantage to having a neurosurgeon perform a laminectomy/discectomy procedure, rather than an orthopaedic surgeon?



Hi,

Did you get any response to your post as I would be very interested in it ???

Cheers,
David

[inenigma]

Hi,

I'm wondering if anyone has had any experience with Dr Ashish Diwan of the Spinal Clinic at St. George Hospital in Kogarah ??

Cheers,
David