Name:   Lifer - Subject:   Back surgery Date:   11/26/2017 11:52:42 AM

Dr. Theiss at UAB Orthopedics. I am 10 days post-op from a 4 level cervical repair and have no complaints. I have been suffering spinal stenosis for most of my adult life along with some disc issues. My first MRI was in  2001. Several doctors through the years have e wanted to do spinal fusion but with multi level repairs the chances of a positive result were never more than 50/50,with positive result defined as "not making it worse". Best advice I ever got was stand it as long as you can. That time arrived.

He recommended a procedure that does not use fusion of the disc's. They cut the disc, spread it open and use a plate to hold it open allowing more room for the spinal cord and relieving pressure on the chord. No other doctor ever discussed this procedure. He also did an evaluation and explained that the C-spine stenosis was causing some of my other issues, mainly unsteady gait and lack of balance. I always just thought the tripping and falling were just me being uncoordinated, which is true, but the stenosis is the major cause. The burning in my arms and hands is already better just 10 days in.