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Hi Dr Spaho, This Is Follow On To My Previous

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Posted on Sun, 15 Sep 2019
Question: Hi Dr Spaho,
This is follow on to my previous questions to you. I met my spine surgeon.He showed me that the facet joint had grown over time and was pushing the nerve. He said facet joint will have to be shaved by 15 to 20 percent for decompression. He said this will not cause instability.I asked him if it can cause low back pain, he said may be. But this back pain is not continuous, comes in certain positions and can be fixed by PT and ablation if needed. Please advise your thoughts on this. Do you agree with these statements. Thank you.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Hi Dr Spaho,
This is follow on to my previous questions to you. I met my spine surgeon.He showed me that the facet joint had grown over time and was pushing the nerve. He said facet joint will have to be shaved by 15 to 20 percent for decompression. He said this will not cause instability.I asked him if it can cause low back pain, he said may be. But this back pain is not continuous, comes in certain positions and can be fixed by PT and ablation if needed. Please advise your thoughts on this. Do you agree with these statements. Thank you.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)
Also the surgeon said that there will be a neurologist in the surgery room monitoring the nerve like in a EMG test. Is this common? Will the neurologist see signals when the nerve is touched or only after it has been damaged in a wrong action. The later of course does not help me.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Also the surgeon said that there will be a neurologist in the surgery room monitoring the nerve like in a EMG test. Is this common? Will the neurologist see signals when the nerve is touched or only after it has been damaged in a wrong action. The later of course does not help me.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Intraoperative monitoring limits the possibility of nerve damage.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for the direct question.

I agree with the statements of your spine Surgeon, if it will be possible to remove only a small part of facet joint, the stability may be preserved.

It is true also that there may be some post operative back pain that is manageable.

The intraoperative nerve and spinal cord monitoring aims to avoid damage of nerves and spinal cord by guiding the Surgeon.

The nerve or spinal cord is evaluated before the possibility of damage.

Hope I helped you.

Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Intraoperative monitoring limits the possibility of nerve damage.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for the direct question.

I agree with the statements of your spine Surgeon, if it will be possible to remove only a small part of facet joint, the stability may be preserved.

It is true also that there may be some post operative back pain that is manageable.

The intraoperative nerve and spinal cord monitoring aims to avoid damage of nerves and spinal cord by guiding the Surgeon.

The nerve or spinal cord is evaluated before the possibility of damage.

Hope I helped you.

Feel free to discuss with me if you have further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (14 hours later)
Thanks for your response.

The nerve will be monitored during surgery. Will this give signal before the damage occurs so as to prevent damage. If the signal comes after nerve is damaged, it will not do any good. Please explain.

Thank you.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Thanks for your response.

The nerve will be monitored during surgery. Will this give signal before the damage occurs so as to prevent damage. If the signal comes after nerve is damaged, it will not do any good. Please explain.

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (18 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The monitoring is continuous.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

There is a continuous monitoring of nerve and spinal cord function during the operation.

If the Neurophysiologist notices any possible damage ( or change of signal ) the Surgeon is informed and the damage can be prevented.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
The monitoring is continuous.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.

There is a continuous monitoring of nerve and spinal cord function during the operation.

If the Neurophysiologist notices any possible damage ( or change of signal ) the Surgeon is informed and the damage can be prevented.

Hope this helps.

Take care.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 4502 Questions

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Hi Dr Spaho, This Is Follow On To My Previous

Hi Dr Spaho, This is follow on to my previous questions to you. I met my spine surgeon.He showed me that the facet joint had grown over time and was pushing the nerve. He said facet joint will have to be shaved by 15 to 20 percent for decompression. He said this will not cause instability.I asked him if it can cause low back pain, he said may be. But this back pain is not continuous, comes in certain positions and can be fixed by PT and ablation if needed. Please advise your thoughts on this. Do you agree with these statements. Thank you.