Back problems and US Hospitals

[Times Roman]

I'm going to throw this out there and see what you lads and lasses think. I've been suffering from back aches for over 20 years. Sometimes they hurt so damn bad I can barely stand/walk. For years, I thought it was an alignment problem. Had some Xrays a year ago, and come to find out, I have "spurs" on my vertabrea, little sharp calcium deposits that irritate the surrounding tissue and cause a great deal of pain and inflamation. The good news is that it is not a structural problem, like a compressed disc or a bone deterioration. The bad news is that my docs refuse to go in there and clean up the calcium deposits. The deposits are far enough away from the spinal chord that there really is very little risk of serious damage if the operation goes south. They say they would only operate if the pain were so excruciating it prevented me from going to work and leading a normal life. And since I obviously go to the gym all the time, it can't be that bad.

Fvck em

So I've been thinking of maybe going to India to have the procedure done. I saw a episode on 60 minutes that gave me the idea. total out of pocket couldn't be more than $20k, including airfare and accomodations, probably alot less.

The other thought i had, is that the US used to have a world class medical system, but it looks like we have to go off shore now for that too.

Anyone have to travel outside the US to get a procedure performed not available in the US?

[kolaking]

You have osteoarthritis/ degenerative disk disease...I have never heard of any procedure that would remove the bone spurs but have not researched it either. I would be cautious that it would make it worse but wish you luck!

[lovbyts]

They cleaned mine up when they repaired the disc. They said it was pretty close to the spinal cord but all went well.

I would do more shopping around to try to find someone local if possible.

[Times Roman]

You have osteoarthritis/ degenerative disk disease...I have never heard of any procedure that would remove the bone spurs but have not researched it either. I would be cautious that it would make it worse but wish you luck!

NOPE. doc said the xrays show that i have very healthy discs, nothing wrong there.

They cleaned mine up when they repaired the disc. They said it was pretty close to the spinal cord but all went well.

I would do more shopping around to try to find someone local if possible.

I will mate. thx for the link!

[jseek]

Bone spurs/ osteophytes.
Basically the disc is a complex ligament system...
Ligament are bone to bone structures.
When they pull excessively on bone...the bone sometimes heals up along the ligament in an attempt by the body to stabilize itself...as in if the hypermobility is something your muscles don't stabilize...the extra bony growth will...
Now spondylitis ossificans is a different process...and rheumatoid type thing I'm not talking about...

So I'd love to read about the India procedures you are reading about in order to help advise you further. And to learn....

Almost anyone with a back has a spur like process starting. But to remove then knowing the disc is attached to it, and to physically alter the spine to that extent knowing that some spur processes return with time....I'd love to read more!

[Times Roman]

I also have scoliosis and "sway" back, so the curvature is a little on the corkscrew side, which might explain why the spurs.