That's Dr. Tartaglioni, Neurosurgeon. I got there early enough to fill out the requisite paperwork. I can't believe, in this day and age, they can generate that form with my basic information (name, address) already on it.
I really like Dr. Dawn. She showed me the pictures (it turns out they are mine to keep). Showed me the several things that were wrong, told me which things could be helped and which couldn't. The only surgery she recommended was - well I would be having to refer to the pictures to explain it to you. The upshot was there was something that can be done to alleviate some nerve roots and their passageways. She showed me a couple of places that were very narrow and said "I don't know how you can stand it".
The benefit of this surgery would be that I could stand longer and walk farther. I'm thinking that I already have one arthritic knee that's giving me problems. The only reason it doesn't hurt more it that I don't stand on it or walk on it very much. It seems to me that's like fixing the axle when the transmission is ready to go. I told her I do not want surgery.
Then she referred me to another doctor (Dr. Hall) for non-surgical pain management. I will call for an appointment with her (I think she referred to Dr. Hall as her) tomorrow.
3 comments:
What's wrong with fixing both the axle and the transmission?
You could probably use an oil change while your there.
The standing that it would improve is not even like all day. Right now the pain starts after about 10 minutes (half of that if I'm leaning over) This could be extended because that is caused by this nerve root thing.
The rest of the axle, with its herniated and deteriorated discs won't get any better. And the knee pain - Rita had to live with hers for about 5 years before they would replace the knee.
Dr. Dawn agreed with my decision of no surgery but said if I wanted it later, she would still do it.
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