I was just wondering if any one has heard any positive or negative feedback on http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/ . I would appreciate any information that can be provided.

Thanks

T/A6Pak

not me

I'd worry about the cheesy musak driving you batty ... I mean if it gets under one's skin just visiting the website, imagine what it would be like while they are dancing their lasers over you!! LOL.

I'm sure you're doing a ton of research, but I did bump into this warning:

DESPITE THE EXCITEMENT IN THE POTENTIAL OF THIS NEW AND MODERN PROCEDURE, IT HAS NOT PASSED THE TEST OF TIME. THE EXPECTATION IS AT LEAST THE 75% SUCCESS RATE AS WITH BLINDED INDIRECT PROCEDURES, AND HOPE TO EQUAL THE 90% SUCCESS RATE OF THE OPEN MICRODISCECTOMY. THE COMPLICATION RATE IS UNKNOWN, AND IS POTENTIALLY HIGHER THAN FOR THE BLINDED PROCEDURE BECAUSE OF THE GREATER MANIPULATION AROUND THE NERVES TO VISUALIZE THE NERVES. However, it is quickly becoming the procedure of choice for the far lateral disc herniation (disc protrusions outside the boney spine compressing the nerve after it exits the spine). It is presently limited to near normal discs with no evidence of spinal stenosis or spinal instability.

Sounds a bit frightening to me.

6pak, A good friend of mine has started laser "treatments", rather than "surgery" described in the link above.

Hernieated Disc I think was what his MRI indicated.
These treatments saved him from high risk surgery and changed his life from what I can tell. We aren't playing tennis anymore, but he isn't on heavy meds to get through the day!

PM me if you want more information about where he is going and the treatments. I will have to ask him about the details, but it is a place in west end Toronto and treatments are not covered by OHIP.

Holy Crap Hamma are you serious?? I was hoping to get non-evasive surgery to avoid being cut open...another warrior scar. I better go read that again...I know I need a neuro-surgeon due to the location close to my brain stem...it sounds like a trial and error treatment now???

I have already confirmed that surgery is a requirement by two doctors ... or each day can be hit or miss. I have C5-6 and C6-7 that are totally finished bulged, pressing against my nerves and spinal cord. Apparently there is nothing left b/n my two discs.. thus they have to cut it all out and insert plates b/n my C5-6 and C6-7 adding some separtion b/n them.

In Canada there is two procedures. One which they cut from the throat down the chest towards the shoulder and do the procedure. The other is going through the back which requires them to cut through all the muscle and then adds double or more to the recovery period.

This post has been edited by T/A6Pak: 02/11/07 8:49pm

Sorry to hear about the problems. That can't make life much fun. If it is any help, I had a very close friend who had the same problem. He opted for the surgery and, although the recovery was long, he was able to return to his normal activities and even ran a marathon.

It sure sounds like your chances of success are better with straight surgery than opting for the laser surgery, but I'd certainly check on the latest info. It could be that what I posted was out dated. I couldn't find any date reference, so I don't know when that was written.

Best of luck to you. We'll all be pulling for a speedy recovery.

T/A might ask my dad (Hemlock) he's had about 4 of these procedures done...

Junkie

Hey there 6Pak,



I might be able to help,My sister lives down there and works in a hospital. I could call her and ask her to check for any information pertaining to this institute for you and mail what ever she finds to u. She is head of the heart therapy dept. But she know's her stuff. If any one can find out anything, she can. Just let me know OK?

c ya



C.C.

Thanks all... any information you can give me on it will help. Talked to them on the phone and they have donee 4000 cases with 40% cervical and 90% success rate. They had some negative information as well. None of the major doctors in Michigan or the Windsor area have heard of them... which is unusual.