how to find a good spinal specialist?
Discussion
You need to see an orthopaedic consultant. A & E will probably just help to manage your pain in the short term. Ask them to refer you or ask your GP to refer you.
I can sympathise with your problems, back pain can be really debilitating. The pain in your legs is probably sciatica (irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve/ nerves) due to your back problems. Your other issues may well be associated. Unfortunately, as with many back problems, there probably isn't a quick fix and the options are probably surgery or simply managing your pain (pain clinic, etc.)
I've found the NHS to be pretty good but you need to ask for help (ie insist on it)
Best of luck, I hope you get something sorted.
I can sympathise with your problems, back pain can be really debilitating. The pain in your legs is probably sciatica (irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve/ nerves) due to your back problems. Your other issues may well be associated. Unfortunately, as with many back problems, there probably isn't a quick fix and the options are probably surgery or simply managing your pain (pain clinic, etc.)
I've found the NHS to be pretty good but you need to ask for help (ie insist on it)
Best of luck, I hope you get something sorted.
I have had disc issues (had my 2nd surgery in January and still recovering), and the NHS just ignored the situation really. Fortumnately I had private care through work, and managed to get pretty prompt help after I'd realised I could use them, and I should be doing something about it - also after debilitating attacks where I would have to stay motionless from the fear of moving.
I remember the tears of relief after seeing the first consultant who immediately referred me to a surgeon. Who operated within 4 weeks of seeing me.
Where are you in the country? Can you pay for private care / have you got private cover?
Or, have you gone to your GP and asked for a referral to a specialist?
Who did the MRI, and did you have a follow up appointment from that?
I remember the tears of relief after seeing the first consultant who immediately referred me to a surgeon. Who operated within 4 weeks of seeing me.
Where are you in the country? Can you pay for private care / have you got private cover?
Or, have you gone to your GP and asked for a referral to a specialist?
Who did the MRI, and did you have a follow up appointment from that?
My surgeon was David Harrison, who consults in Windsor and Stanmore and Harley Street (and operates in Windsor or Stanmore). He is absolutely brilliant, but my advice would be to get your GP to refer you to a local specialist to start the process and be insistent about diagnosis and treatment, rahter than just a report on the MRI and then nothing more.
I know exactly how you feel, I really do, and the relief of getting the diagnosis and a treatment plan was immense. Just someone taking you seriously and realising that there's a prospect of not having to live the rest of your life like that.....
Can you speak to your GP by phone? Sometimes for a private referral they might do this? You might get to see a specialist within a few weeks (if that). My local hospital can usually arrange an MRI within a day or two, and in my case I got feedback from the surgeon the same day and surgery very shortly after...
I know exactly how you feel, I really do, and the relief of getting the diagnosis and a treatment plan was immense. Just someone taking you seriously and realising that there's a prospect of not having to live the rest of your life like that.....
Can you speak to your GP by phone? Sometimes for a private referral they might do this? You might get to see a specialist within a few weeks (if that). My local hospital can usually arrange an MRI within a day or two, and in my case I got feedback from the surgeon the same day and surgery very shortly after...
This guys CV looks pretty good
http://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/consultant.cfm?id_c...
Seems like he specialises in the area you need and he CV looks excellent. The King Edward VII is pretty much the best private hopsital there is in London.....it's not easy gettting on the list as a consultant there and he seems to specialise in your area....he also still works for the NHS at one of the major London teaching hospitals which is also a very good sign.
I'd ring his secretary describe your problem and see if he's the right person. If he isn't he'll tell you who is....you can also check if he is on BUPA. If that's the case just ask your GP to refer you to him and it's job done. You can make an appointment now while you wait for the GP and BUPA to do the paperwork.
To be honest you might find a an orthopaedic/back specialist locally but it's unlikely they'll have the experience of someone like that.
http://www.kingedwardvii.co.uk/consultant.cfm?id_c...
Seems like he specialises in the area you need and he CV looks excellent. The King Edward VII is pretty much the best private hopsital there is in London.....it's not easy gettting on the list as a consultant there and he seems to specialise in your area....he also still works for the NHS at one of the major London teaching hospitals which is also a very good sign.
I'd ring his secretary describe your problem and see if he's the right person. If he isn't he'll tell you who is....you can also check if he is on BUPA. If that's the case just ask your GP to refer you to him and it's job done. You can make an appointment now while you wait for the GP and BUPA to do the paperwork.
To be honest you might find a an orthopaedic/back specialist locally but it's unlikely they'll have the experience of someone like that.
I can definitely recommend Mr Andrew Floyd at Milton Keynes General Hospital.
He took over my case from Bedford and John Radcliffe (Oxford) Consultants after several months of the others not making progress with my MRI scan. Was luck for me - part of GPs old boy network. Was seen within 48 hours of GP contact, kept in, operated on within another 48 hours and apart from minor aches/pains occasionally, am living a full life 9 years later. At the time, was laid up in bed for 8 weeks on morphine, 'breakthrough' morphine, tramadol, diazepam and numerous other drugs. Had also lost feeling from toes towards knee by time I saw this guy. I had 2 prolapsed discs, lower back. They say 50% of operations make things worse or don't make a difference, hence there is reluctance to operate.
This article looks interesting but is a year old - surgeons recommending others in their field
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1368667/...
I hope you make progress with yours.
He took over my case from Bedford and John Radcliffe (Oxford) Consultants after several months of the others not making progress with my MRI scan. Was luck for me - part of GPs old boy network. Was seen within 48 hours of GP contact, kept in, operated on within another 48 hours and apart from minor aches/pains occasionally, am living a full life 9 years later. At the time, was laid up in bed for 8 weeks on morphine, 'breakthrough' morphine, tramadol, diazepam and numerous other drugs. Had also lost feeling from toes towards knee by time I saw this guy. I had 2 prolapsed discs, lower back. They say 50% of operations make things worse or don't make a difference, hence there is reluctance to operate.
This article looks interesting but is a year old - surgeons recommending others in their field
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1368667/...
I hope you make progress with yours.
Best of luck with it - I remember losing days to Diazapam - they just float by without you noticing it !
Just remember you will have to own the process, and be responsible for getting yourself thorugh it; I mean the docs etc., nobody out there will holistically own you - at any stage you can just fall through a gap, so you need to keep on at them !
But if you have private health care,then conceivably you could be seen within a couple of weeks, MRI'd and have a treatment plan in another couple....
Just remember you will have to own the process, and be responsible for getting yourself thorugh it; I mean the docs etc., nobody out there will holistically own you - at any stage you can just fall through a gap, so you need to keep on at them !
But if you have private health care,then conceivably you could be seen within a couple of weeks, MRI'd and have a treatment plan in another couple....
Hi
Been through something like this with my wife. We ended up seeing this Doctor:
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultant/consulta...
We saw him at the Alexandra Hospital (south Manchester) on Bupa so it didnt take too long.
He operated on my wife reshaping some of the discs. the pain is now managable, by no means gone, just manageable.
good luck
Been through something like this with my wife. We ended up seeing this Doctor:
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultant/consulta...
We saw him at the Alexandra Hospital (south Manchester) on Bupa so it didnt take too long.
He operated on my wife reshaping some of the discs. the pain is now managable, by no means gone, just manageable.
good luck
Before you head for surgery - see if you can manage your injury.
I was very much in the same boat as you 4 years ago.
I hurt my back playing footy and after and MRI the diagnosis was L4/L5 slipped disk and the 2 disks above them had "degenerated" significantly.
I went through various degrees of discomfort and quite often ended up (like others) not being able to move at all for fear of intense pain that made me cry out like a girl !
I tried various physio's / chiropractors but would never recover and in the end went back to my GP who suggested next step was surgery.
I got myself geared up for this, but them one of my friends told me about this Physio up in London (http://www.marylebonephysio.com/index.htm ). He has had terrible back problems for years and was told he was done for ... he's now running marathons.
I went to see the guy that owns the practice (Chris) who also looked after my friend. After 6 months of sessions with him he got my from bedridden to pain free and active. He identified the causes of my pain and gave me exercises to overcome them.... and feck me it only worked !
I have to gym at least 3 times a week to prevent reoccurance, but as you know, you don't need much motivation to keep this up after you've lived with chronic backpain for any length of time ! I'm not allowed to run and I know my limits but I'm extremely happy with my recovery.
If you can (its worth a shot), go and see Chris. You might have a long wait so book ASAP.
Good luck!
The guys a genius. He actually had surgeons visiting him asking for advice on injuries.
I think he is also affiliated with Cambridge University
I was very much in the same boat as you 4 years ago.
I hurt my back playing footy and after and MRI the diagnosis was L4/L5 slipped disk and the 2 disks above them had "degenerated" significantly.
I went through various degrees of discomfort and quite often ended up (like others) not being able to move at all for fear of intense pain that made me cry out like a girl !
I tried various physio's / chiropractors but would never recover and in the end went back to my GP who suggested next step was surgery.
I got myself geared up for this, but them one of my friends told me about this Physio up in London (http://www.marylebonephysio.com/index.htm ). He has had terrible back problems for years and was told he was done for ... he's now running marathons.
I went to see the guy that owns the practice (Chris) who also looked after my friend. After 6 months of sessions with him he got my from bedridden to pain free and active. He identified the causes of my pain and gave me exercises to overcome them.... and feck me it only worked !
I have to gym at least 3 times a week to prevent reoccurance, but as you know, you don't need much motivation to keep this up after you've lived with chronic backpain for any length of time ! I'm not allowed to run and I know my limits but I'm extremely happy with my recovery.
If you can (its worth a shot), go and see Chris. You might have a long wait so book ASAP.
Good luck!
The guys a genius. He actually had surgeons visiting him asking for advice on injuries.
I think he is also affiliated with Cambridge University
This chap did my L5 Discectomy and put a Wallis ligament in.
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultant/consulta...
He works between Sheffield and Windsor. I'd highly recommend him as the results of my op have been life changing. Not hyperbole, really has changed my life.
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultant/consulta...
He works between Sheffield and Windsor. I'd highly recommend him as the results of my op have been life changing. Not hyperbole, really has changed my life.
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