I have a slipped disc/hernia (L5/S1). I have had this for about three
years, on and off, and the last year continually. Mainly back pain
rather than leg pain. I have tried various things such as injections
(I had one that worked for two years, then the pain returned, had
another one, hasnt worked), exercises (pilates, yoga etc), osteopathy
etc etc. I have been told that surgery might not work. Although
mainly, no one has been able to sort it out, and I continually get
inconclusive and conflicting advice.

Let us assume that money is not an issue. Is there someone I can see
who is a real expert (you know, like "the world's top back expert") to
see about these things, who can either fix me up or tell me defnitely
what to do.

I am based in the UK. If I needed to make one or two trips anywhere in
the world, that is fine, but if it involves a year of treatment in
some other country, this would not be possible.

Thank you all,

macaonghus-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 19 Aug 2003 15:27 PDT

Hello, macaonghus.

I have answered many medical questions on GA, and I'd be glad to
undertake a quest for the names and contact information of physicians
who are well-regarded in this field. However, I cannot guarantee that
they can "fix you up," nor even that they will see you (medical
experts often restrict the number of new patients that they are
willing to accept, since their time is limited.)

In view of these limitations, would it be acceptable for me to answer
by preparing a list of some physicians whose credentials would qualify
them as "back experts"?

~pinkfreud

---

Clarification of Question by macaonghus-ga on 19 Aug 2003 16:10 PDT

Yes. I understand, even the experts themselves cannot guarantee to fix
the problem. I didnt know they had limits on patients seen, but that
makes sense, and its fine of course.

But they have to be top world class experts. There has to be some
reason why they are worth seeing. I have already tried a top guy in
Geneva, and a "celebrity" neurosurgeon here in London. And there are
probably hundreds of really good doctors/surgeons/whatevers in the
world. But juding from my experience so far, it will take someone
special to sort me out. This is a bit vague but hope I get the message
across.

Thank you,

macaonghus-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 19 Aug 2003 16:26 PDT

Searching for that "someone special" is likely to require expertise
and contacts that I lack. Since the best I could do would be Internet
research, I am releasing your question in hopes that a Researcher who
has personal knowledge of European medical experts will be able to
assist you.

---

Clarification of Question by macaonghus-ga on 19 Aug 2003 16:36 PDT

OK, thank you. If you can answer the same for US experts, then I will
accept that and repost the question for Europe. If not, thank you for
your efforts.

macaonghus-ga

Hello macaonghus-ga:

It was a pleasure to answer your question. I did an extensive research
on your question and send some e-mails to the departments of various
well known institutions. I am providing you the details and contact
numbers of the world’s renowned surgeons of neurology, orthopedics as
well as legendary spine experts who can assist or guide you in the
right direction.

I will also ask you to take a look at the directory of spine
specialists at

http://www.spineuniverse.com/spumd_search.php

Just type in a country e.g. (Germany, Spain, UK) and it will provide
you a list of orthopedic surgeons who specialize in spine treatments
in that country along with their affiliations and bio. When typed,
‘UK’ it provides a mix result but that is not the case with other
countries. You might want to call them to see if they provide you with
a good advice.

I have also provided you a list of America’s top orthopedic hospitals
so you can contact them to see if someone can assist you. Please see
this list under ‘Best Hospitals’ heading.

Following is the list about the famous back surgeons that I was able
to compile:

*********************
LEGENDARY FIGURES
********************* 

The Maurice E. Müller

Maurice E. Muller is a legendary figure in the world of orthopedics
spine surgery. Various world class institutions and clinics are
operated under his supervision. I was unable to locate his physical
address or contact information because he lives a retired life. You
can get in contact with him through the Muller Foundation
http://www.mullerfoundation.org.

________________________________________________________________________

Adalbert I. Kapandji

One of the great names in orthopedic sugary, Mr. Kapandji still
operates his clinic in France. Following is the address.

CLINIQUE DE L'YVETTE
43 route de Corbeil
91160 LONGJUMEAU
Tél. 01 69 10 30 30
________________________________________________________________________

Karl Zweymüller

Karl Zweeymuller is one of the foremost orthopedic surgeons of
Germany. His inventions are widely used in the orthopedic surgery. For
more information, please consult:

http://www.zweymueller.at/   

Please use AltaVista Bablefish Translation services to translate the
webpage. http://world.altavista.com/

Univ. Prof. Dr. Karl Zweymüller

Pyrkergasse 34
1190 Wien
Tel:  01 368 48 15
Fax: 01 368 48 15-33
________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Raoul Tubiana

He is among the founders of modern techniques in orthopedic surgery.
He still lectures at University of Paris. You can contact him through
the University. I was unable to get the information because of the
French language barrier.

________________________________________________________________________

Dan M Spengler

Dr. Spengler specializes in the treatment of adult spine disorders. He
is regarded as one of the most exceptional surgeons in America and
have presided various organizations all around the world. Currently,
he is a senior part-time lecturer at the University of Vanderbilt
Medical Center. Contact information
http://medschool.mc.vanderbilt.edu/facultydata/php_files/show_faculty.php?id3=1352

**********************************
OTHER FAMOUS NUERO SURGEONS
**********************************

Dr. Walker Urban 
Biography & Contact Info: 
http://www.bandscheibenvorfall.de 
TRANSLATED IN ENGLISG BY ALTAVISTA BABLEFISH: 
Dr. Volker Urban is active as a specialist for neurosurgery in the
special range of the operational spinal column treatments in the Emma
hospital blessed city. The medicine study and the specialist training
as neurosurgeons completed he at the University of Mainz.
 
Its work and main points of research are the development of medical
Endoskopiesysteme as well as the medical Robotic. Since August 2000
Dr. Urban works as an established neurosurgeon in the Emma hospital
blessed city.
 
Main points of work: minimal invasive procedures, Endoskopie,
Spinalkanalstenose operational supply of volume disk incidents of the
neck and Lendenwirbelsaeule
 
Languages: German, English 

_______________________________________________________________________

Dr. Walter Bini 
Neurosurgery 
Neurochirurgie-Global Spine Unit 
EMMA Klinik 
Frankfurterstr. 51 
63500 Seligenstadt-Germany 
Telephone: 49 6182 960 300 
Fax: 49 6182 960 301 
Email: bini@emma-klinik.de 
Web site: www.bandscheibenvorfall.de 
http://www.ismiss.com/members.htm 
Biography & Contact Info:  
http://www.bandscheibenvorfall.de/isapi/frameset.asp?mod=expertenrat&topic=11&action=readmail
TRANSLATED IN ENGLISG BY ALTAVISTA BABLEFISH: 
Dr. Dr. h.c. walter Bini is active as a specialist for neurosurgery in
the special range of the operational spinal column treatments in the
Emma hospital blessed city. Its main points of work are those minimal
invasiven procedures as well as those micro restabilisierenden
procedures of the Lendenwirbelsaeule.
 
After conclusion of the medicine study at the university in Saragossa
(Spain) it completed the specialist training as neurosurgeons in the
north city hospital the Hanover. Afterwards it worked several years as
a neurosurgeon in Switzerland, the USA and Spain. Since February 2003
Dr. Bini is active as a neurosurgeon in the Emma hospital blessed
city.
 
Main points of work: minimal invasive operations, percutane
procedures, operational supply of volume disk incidents of the neck
and Lendenwirbelsaeule

Francesco M. Salpietro, M.D. 
Clinica Neurochirurgica, Policlinico Universitario "G.Martino"  
Via Consolare Valeria, 1  
98122 Messina, Italy  
Phone: +39 (90) 221-2871, 293-7963  
Fax: +39 (90) 693714  
http://poli.unime.it/nch/homepage.htm 

_______________________________________________________________________
 
Dr. Miguel Manrique 
Director of Neurosurgery 
Bio: http://www.unav.es/cun/html/perfiles/perfil37.htm 
Contact Info: Univerisy Hospital University of Navarra 
Clínica Universitaria  
Avda. Pío XII, 36 31008 Pamplona 
Spain 
Phone +34 948 255 400 
Fax +34 948 296 500

_______________________________________________________________________

J. Donald Opgrande, M.D

President of American Society of Orthopedic Surgeons, he runs his own
clinic in Nevada.

2301 25th Street Southwest, Fargo, ND 58103 
(701) 232-2848

________________________________________________________________________

Dr. Horst Dekkers & Dr. Thomas Hoogland (Alpha KLINIK)

Biography & Contact Info: 
http://www.alphaklinik.com/start.html 

Please click on ‘Phone & Email Directory’ menu on left to read their
bio and contact information.

****************
BEST HOSPITALS
****************

America’s Best Orthopedic Hospital Departments

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hosptl/tophosp.htm

UK’s Best Hospitals

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/1294176.stm

***************
ASSOCIATIONS
***************

SPINE & RELATED ASSOCIATIONS

UK spine foundations

http://www.spinal.co.uk/help/default.ihtml?pid=131&step=2

http://www.sci-info-pages.com/orgs.html

http://freeortho.com/associations.html
**************
INSTITUTIONS
**************

Google Guide to Associations & Orthopedic Centers

http://directory.google.com/Top/Regional/Europe/United_Kingdom/Health/Medicine/Surgery/Orthopaedics/

Universities and Institutions in Europe

http://orthopaedics.com/orthopaedics/links/pages/Academic_Centres/University/

I hope this helps. Please clarify, if you are not satisfied. Thanks
for using Google Answers and I wish you a very good luck in the
future.

Sincerely,
leader-ga.

I had successful surgery for this problem 20+ years ago, by a
neurosurgeon.  I would absolutely avoid anyone who guaranteed success!
My Doc told me there was a 10% chance that surgery would worsen the
problem, a 20% chance of no improvement and a one in 10,000 chance of
dying under anesthesia.

Hello macaonghus

I'm hesitant to recommend anyone in a full paid "answer", as I have no
personal experience of these matters, nor know anyone else who could
provide a recommendation.  However, I did find one UK name mentioned
that you might wish to follow up, so am putting in this comment.

On a bulletin board for back sufferers, I found the following comment
dated 13 June 2003
"Miami and Arizona have the most advanced disk surgery techniques,
which UK neurosurgery has adopted--UK: Mr. Martin Knight at Highfield
Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary is educated in/practicing most
advanced techniques since 1994 [was on BBC 'Tomorrow's World' 1993 for
excellent recovery/minimally invasive approaches]--he's worth the 3-4
month wait for appointment and trip to Rochdale.
As for US neurosurgery...in Boston area I've seen both good and bad
results, and FOR SURGERY, would look to U Arizona and/or
U Miami [Dolphins football players pushed the neuro medicine to
advance, including excellent therapy/rehab]
SHEPHERD CLINIC IN ATLANTA SPECIALIZES IN
DIAGNOSIS/THERAPY-REHAB-SUPPORT PLANS FOR ALL SPINE-BRAIN INJURIES AND
ILLNESSES
AND COMES VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, has 3-4 month appointment wait, but
worth the wait and the trip, must have a doctor tentative spine/brain
problem diagnosis-referral or they won't let you make an appointment.
Boston University Medical Center, "INPATIENT 9WEST" on Harrison Ave.
has a very good spine team w. outpatient spine-problems rehab therapy,
seating clinics, prosthetics consults, etc..."

Martin Knight is associated with the Spinal Foundation; you can read
about him here: http://www.spinal-foundation.org/page_mknight.htm

The Spinal Foundation "has already successfully treated over 670
complex cases using laser "keyhole" surgery on patients who would
otherwise have required a major intervention such as fusion - or even
worse - who would have simply been left to cope with their pain and
disability. In addition, they have carried out over 2000 laser
discectomies."
http://www.spinal-foundation.org/page_charity.htm 

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. It "has been
developed to deal with the sources of chronic back, buttock and leg
pain. ELF is also an appropriate procedure for patients with
herniated, prolapsed, bulging discs as well as patients who have discs
where the nucleus has leaked out (extruded) or sequestrated discs. Age
is not a factor that would exclude a patient from treatment with this
technique."
http://www.spinal-foundation.org/page_patientinfo.htm

It might be worth you reading through the rest of the information on
the Spinal Foundation web site.
Contact details are:
The Spinal Foundation
Office Block 1
Southlink Business Park
Hamilton Street
Oldham. Lancs. U.K.
OL4 1DE
mknight@spinal-foundation.org
Tel:  +44 (0)161 628 1390
Fax: +44 (0)161 628 1384

Sorry, forgot the bulletin board link:
http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/neuro/messages/C32421-23.html

Dear macaonghus,

My wife had the same problem except that it was L4/L5.  Her back is
almost in complete recovery now - with almost no loss of sensation in
her leg.

Here's what happened in a nutshell.

Doctors advised us to hurry and get the surgery if it didn't heal on
its own in 6 weeks.  My wife did a lot of research and discussed it on
a lot of message boards and found out that most people get better just
by simply not ever stressing themselves physically if it hurts (the
back surgery has a very high failure rate). Of course, doing the
opposite of this, forcing herself to physically do things even if it
hurt, is exactly what precipitated the injury in the first place.

Well, she decided against the surgery and it moderately healed on its
own just by letting it and NOT stressing herself physically WHENEVER
it hurt.

That's not the end of it b/c this only resulted in moderate recovery. 
We started talking about our childhoods during this period very
intensely and over time her back got better and better.  Here's the
interesting part.  Her back injury was primarily caused by her lifting
her shoulders too high.  They were almost touching her ears and they
had been that way for as long as she could remember.  When her back
healed she noticed that one of the major differences between then and
now was that her shoulders were fixed in a more relaxed, lowered
stated (not near her ears).  Here's the clincher - it was the result
of her traumatic childhood.  It was very frightening and over time her
shoulders permanently locked in a defensive posture - with the
shoulders near the ears.  Just by going over all of the details of
these traumas AND discussing WHO was responsible for these occurences
(her mother) resulted in full recovery.

Only later did we realize that all we had done was classic
psychotherapy.  We just talked and talked about our childhoods and we
both physically got better and better, especially her.  Her back
problems got better and better.  Ultimately she realized the she
wasn't responsible for all of those traumatic experiences during her
childhood - her mother was.  Remember, it's not about immature blame -
it's about responsibility.  Letting go of blaming herself for things
that really couldn't have been her fault healed the psychological
cause of her physical posture (the defensive one with your shoulders
raised), and ultimately the back injury.  If your shoulders are
raised, the muscles that normally would've supported your L4/L5/S1
aren't available b/c they've been raised above it.  Maybe your posture
is like this too.  Think about it today.

Things happen for a reason.  I hope this helps you.  This all took 2
years and it was mostly about soul searching and physically talking
about what happened to us in childhood.  It's difficult to un-learn
poor emotional responses, especially since they're primarily learned
from the mother, but it can be done - if we can admit mommy's not
perfect.  If we can admit that she's human then we can admit it about
ourselves and stop beating ourselves up for physical problems that
started LONG before we had the power to control our lives (in
childhood).  Some will say it's psychobabble but I've experience
symptom relief myself while doing the talk therapy with my wife
(psoriasis, allergies, eye pain) - while I was recounting something
I'd long ago forgotten.  Once I could get over my fear and let out my
pain, physically by talking and reliving every detail with another
person to validate it, I got happier and happier.  I was reborn and so
was my wife.  We were reborn together.

Plato said all learning is remembering.  I can't say I disagree b/c
remembering who I once was - before all my childhood traumas - healed
me and it can heal you too.

Good luck!