Fractured vertebrae. I'm thinking about surgery. How could I get a second opinion?

Kwantumnaut

Hello. A few years ago I had a seizure which fractured 2 vertebrae, and then a couple years later I had another seizure which fractured 2 more. So in total I have 4 compression fractured vertebrae.

When I was in the hospital the first time, they said surgery wasn't an option and there wasn't much that could be done treatment wise. The second time I can't really remember if they said the same thing but I'm assuming and pretty sure I remember them saying pretty much the same thing.

But now, a couple more years after that, I have been doing a little more thinking and research on a second opinion, because the pain/discomfort is not only more or less constant, but also fairly limiting in a lot of areas. So I feel like and from what I can tell, surgery is about the only treatment option that if possible could make any significant or satisfactory improvement/difference.

So I'm just wondering if anybody on here just from first glance knowing the basics of my case could give any input and knowledge in on the matter, and maybe even some on how I would go about getting another professional opinion. Thank you!

Sandy_123

Hi @Kwantumnaut hi there welcome to the forum.  I'm sorry to read that you have fractures after your seizures. 
Sadly we're not qualified to give medical advice. The only thing I can suggest is that you speak to your gp and get  referred to a specialist who will be able to help you. 
Good luck with going faward, meanwhile join in with topics on the forum.

newborn

Hi, of course Sandy is right.  Are you thinking about the procedure called 'spinal fusion'?  Back pain is so comon, and so draining, that people try desperately to search for solutions, and doctors try hard to experiment with procedures and drugs offering some new glimmer of hope.

The inevitable result must be that some painkilling drugs or surgical procedures seem to work a bit, for some people, for a while.  But that doesn't mean those same treatments will work for others, and it certainly doesn't mean that they won't cause complications, 

Often in medicine the cure turns out not to be a cure, and may be regretted.  There are fads and fashions in every area of life, and surgery is no exception.

By all means get a second opinion if you have some reason to be convinced your specialist was wrong.

But first do look into the pros. and cons.  People who have had spinal surgery have regretted it. Others have been pleased.  Others have found it worked for a while but had drawbacks which in the end made it even worse than before.