?

You might have to be patient for a reply to this particular question you have asked.

As you know, thoracic surgery isn't performed as often as cervical and lumbar surgeries. A lot of thoracic pain sufferers are told they need to wait until they lose bladder and bowel control before thoracic surgery is considered, due to thoracic surgery often being labeled as "high risk".

Hopefully, someone will read this post and reply with any knowledge or experience they have with thoracic disc laser surgery.

Tammy

yes i hope so )

Spinethoracic,

I wouldn't see why there wouldn't be laser surgery for the thoracic spine as there are with lumbar's and cervical. The problem exist in those areas though I would think would be the same. That not many doctors are doing the procedures and no insurance companies are approving it. For example if i wanted to get laser surgery on my lumbar I would have to travel out of state as no one in MO is providing that procedure and my insurance won't cover it. So I am thinking you may run into the same issues in the thoracic spine. Just my thoughts though.

yes i know...its risky...but i have 24 years and dont want live with pain allready...so im thinking to go somewhere, pay,and then we wil see...i know that ist not 100% sure but i can try...money for health no problem for me...greetings from Croatia

I wish you the very best in finding an experienced... Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Orthopedic doctor, etc. One who has knowledge and hands-on experience... in the thoracic spine... and what options are available for you in managing and treating your problem areas.

Please keep us updated.

Take good care and I wish you less pain,

Tammy

I have not had the Thoracic spine surgery yet but have done alot of research and reading about the options and types of surgeries that are performed. I was referred for surgery but have found that it is VERY invasive to have done. And yes it is not a common surgery to have. The surgery to access the disc in my spine is to take out a rib collapse a lung and fuse the area,its very risky because the bad disc is near the natural reflexes for breathing and such. With all the other surgeries and mistakes that have been made in past, I am very concerned about having it done. I do know that it will be needed in future but hoping that my disc will hold up until better technology is available.

In the mean time lots of PT for muscle spasms in the area with ultrasound therapy and traction is great for helping disc, nothing hard just important to keep muscles lose and blood flowing.

What are some treatments you have tried for the Thoracic are, injections, PT or traction, also what kind of symptoms do you have from Disc? Also what Dr.s have you been to so far.

Paula

hey guys

I researched and called a Laser spine surgeon in Hudson FL today...the practice is called Bonati Institute...they seeem soo nice and caring over the phone...the place is all high end..and they have plenty of testimonials on their website...they are giving me a free consultation and requested my MRI and Doc files. There is no charge whatsoever and they will give me my best option to get surgery or not..i have 3 herniated discs in my thoracic spine t 7 t 8 and t9...doctors in Boston told me there's nothing i can do but wait(i can't wait anymore)..this laser surgery is said to be at a very low risk...(all posterior)..success rate is 93.3%...you recover in 2 weeks... im in Boston and im willing to travel and pay out of pocket for my health..im only 25 years old and would love to go back to my daily life working in my own business again and competing back in competitive wrestling soon....check it out

gorge please let us now what they say...im also willng to travle from Croatia...because this is terible...

be scared when someone touts 94% success rate with spine surgury. Be careful.

there's a 50% change im flying out this week to get a free consultation (MRI, nerve tests, and such) before i agree to the surgery...i have a friend that lives 2 miles away and has heard positive testimonials..i have done extensive research and your better off at least trying laser surgery before open traditional surgery...the success rate is better, and its very low risk...im a risk taker and will do anything for my heath...only tough part is the cost for all this...looking at 12 thousand a disc...but you can negotiate...i'll keep you posted.

yes keep me posted what they say...and how it all goes and i definetly agree with this term "better off at least trying laser surgery before open traditional surgery"...

BostonGeorge - Being as you are new on here, what kind of treatments have you had in the past ( conservative). I am pro surgury also but only after exhausting your conservative possibilites. Be aware if it is the bonatti institute they have several malpractice suits against them and LSI has alot of complaints about being worse after surgury,but alot of great doctors have the same. They told me their Tspine results were generally worse so they told me not to go for consult. Just do you reasearch and keep open, but skeptical mind when seeing them.

Just picked up on this thread. I am going in for laser surgery on the 30th of this month. Mine is at T11/T12 T12/L1 and L1/L2. Also going to have a go at L5/S1. Not that all of these will be laser'd but these are the area's that will be injected and if leaking are sealed by laser.

I am not sure how far up the back they can go with this treatment. My Surgeon has given me an 80% chance of 50% improvement in pain.

This is very minimal invasive but still considered experimental by the mainstream. My surgeon has done 9,000 of these proceedures.

I will start a thread on "surgery" afterward.