OT: Back Specialist needed.. Anyone know the name of the guy who worked on Gronk?

[Mike the Brit]

Oh, my sympathies!

You've got some very good advice on this thread.

My two cents:

1. Be wary of surgery. From what I can make out, the improvement of diagnostics (scans) has led to increased diagnosis of abnormalities and mainstream medicine has a tendency to want to intervene every time it sees something out of whack. But surgery is drastic and outcomes aren't always great. Still, if you need it, you need it ...

2. Everyone's problem is different, so it's important you have someone personal to you who knows what s/he is doing. Nowadays, advice has moved towards strengthening exercise rather than rest. But you need someone to keep an eye on it to make sure you make things better not worse. I've got a "back whisperer" in Cambridge, MA and another in London. I trust them both and think they are wonderful, but they don't always say the same things.

3. If things are terrible, lie on the floor with your lower spine as flat as you can get it and your legs in the air (like an upside-down table). Then wiggle your arms and legs in any way you can. That will loosen you up a bit in a way that's safe. (You'll look like an idiot, though, if that matters!)

Good luck!

 

[DaBruinz]

@DaBruinz
I would recommend exhausting all other avenues (rehab/PT, acupuncture, etc) before submitting for another surgery. Subsequent back surgeries (well, all surgeries) get more and more complex with greater risks. The "best" doctor/surgeon isn't always the answer.
...and this is coming from a doctor. Good luck to you!

I appreciate the words of wisdom, Pitt. I haven't had a "surgery" on my back yet. (Cortisone shots don't count). But with the degradation that has occurred in the last 6 months, I'm not sure how much more Rehab/PT/etc will do for me. What I know is that I can't go another year plus of not being able to do the chores around the house like mowing the lawn and such before making the decision to have surgery. . That's why I have a neurosurgeon appointment on the 8th and contacted Dr. Watkins office for a 2nd opinion as well.

 

[bresna]

I know 3 people who had back surgery to repair a bad disc. Only one of them came out pain free. The other two are still in constant pain. As others have recommended, exhaust all non-surgical options before you get the surgery.

I used to work with a guy who swore by an inversion rig. He'd lay down on it, strap his ankles to the bottom and then tip it so his feet were up in the air. He says he could feel his back decompress after a while. I doubt this would help for a herniated disc, but it most likely wouldn't make it worse.

 

[Kontradiction]

You goddamn ****y.

If you really cared you would troll him harder because it will distract him from his pain.

I’m getting soft in my old age. Now the rest of you bunch of ****ies? I’m just getting started.

 

[BTTA]

You goddamn ****y.

If you really cared you would troll him harder because it will distract him from his pain.

LOL. I was going to respond with a "we'll see how long this lasts" but as usual you hit a home run before I could even get into the batter's box.

 

[BTTA]

I’m getting soft in my old age. Now the rest of you bunch of ****ies? I’m just getting started.

View attachment 30835

It's having a daughter. I told you, right? Spontaneous outbursts of empathy that shock your male friends.
Soon, you'll be an expert on ballet (or gymnastics) and Disney, and actually have pink hats around the house.

 

[DaBruinz]

It's having a daughter. I told you, right? Spontaneous outbursts of empathy that shock your male friends.
Soon, you'll be an expert on ballet (or gymnastics) and Disney, and actually have pink hats around the house.

Kontra always had pink hats around the house.. He didn't need a daughter as an excuse for them.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's having a daughter. I told you, right? Spontaneous outbursts of empathy that shock your male friends.
Soon, you'll be an expert on ballet (or gymnastics) and Disney, and actually have pink hats around the house.

Well, unless she turns out to be a lesbian. In that case, I’d be an expert on softball. Either way, as long as she plays a sport, that’s all I care about. Could be gymnastics, cheerleading, etc. You can’t teach some of the lessons that come from playing a sport otherwise.

Kontra always had pink hats around the house.. He didn't need a daughter as an excuse for them.

Around the house, yeah. But now I have an excuse to wear them in public. Now I just need to figure out a way to pull off the thigh-high fishnet stockings when we’re out and about and I’ll be set.

 

[VrabelJr]

I believe Gronk’s back and knee guy is TJ Ward but don’t quote me on that

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I have had bad spinal stenosis since birth. My narrow spinal column is really set up to be taken out of service by any disc abnormality. I had neck fusion surgery in 2014 and back fusion in 2016. Both surgeries went great and I woke up better than I was when I went under. I also lost weight and am trying to stave off future problems. I am back to biking (a recumbent) and rode 30 miles yesterday.

 

[scout]

So. These last 6 months have been hell for me. Found out that I herniated a disc in my back in August. In October, we lost my dad unexpectedly to congestive heart failure. In November, my Uncle, my Father-in-law, and Mother-in-Law all contracted COVID. In January, we lost my Mother-in-Law to a bacterial infection on her pacemaker that was the a by-product of her having had COVID.

Over the course of things, the herniation has worsened despite Cortisone injections, Chiropractic care and Physical therapy. Does anyone remember who Gronk's surgeon was? I have the benefit of being able to reach out for second opinions and figured that I would do like I did with my knee and reach out to one of the best.

I did a quick search, but I couldn't find who it was that did the surgeries. Any help is appreciated.

Sorry. Years ago, I cancelled back surgery for a herniated disc and opted for rehab. Rode a stationary bike 1 hr a day for a year. Worked for me. Good luck.
Just to add to my post: I was in f'n pain and could not sit without tormenting shock waves to my balls. Coincidently, I cancelled when my x-wife made me smile with a comment. When I began rehabbing, I could only do 10 minutes on the bike. Hope you get well.

 

[203Pat]

So. These last 6 months have been hell for me. Found out that I herniated a disc in my back in August. In October, we lost my dad unexpectedly to congestive heart failure. In November, my Uncle, my Father-in-law, and Mother-in-Law all contracted COVID. In January, we lost my Mother-in-Law to a bacterial infection on her pacemaker that was the a by-product of her having had COVID.

Over the course of things, the herniation has worsened despite Cortisone injections, Chiropractic care and Physical therapy. Does anyone remember who Gronk's surgeon was? I have the benefit of being able to reach out for second opinions and figured that I would do like I did with my knee and reach out to one of the best.

I did a quick search, but I couldn't find who it was that did the surgeries. Any help is appreciated.

I know we argue on here a lot but I hope you feel better and I am so sorry for everything you and your family are going through. Best wishes to you and hopefully one of these recommendations can give you some pain relief.

 

[DaBruinz]

UPDATE: Had an MRI done on Feb 18th. My disc had gotten 20% worse. I continued doing PT through March 3, but there was no progression. In fact, I got worse as I started feel pain in my right leg. Also started having issues where the pain would wake me up or would keep me from being able to sleep entirely.

Got my 2nd and 3rd opinions from Dr. Watkins (Gronk's guy) and a Non-surgical place (QC KInetics) in Austin. They all said that surgery was the only best option.

Had my surgery today (April 8th). It was a microsectomy and It seems to have gone well (no more pain in my legs for the moment). I'm relaxing in my recliner currently. Got my Tins unit set up.. Gonna ice it here in a bit.

I want to thank everyone again for the help on finding Dt. Watkins and for their input. It it very much appreciated

 

[Kontradiction]

UPDATE: Had an MRI done on Feb 18th. My disc had gotten 20% worse. I continued doing PT through March 3, but there was no progression. In fact, I got worse as I started feel pain in my right leg. Also started having issues where the pain would wake me up or would keep me from being able to sleep entirely.

Got my 2nd and 3rd opinions from Dr. Watkins (Gronk's guy) and a Non-surgical place (QC KInetics) in Austin. They all said that surgery was the only best option.

Had my surgery today (April 8th). It was a microsectomy and It seems to have gone well (no more pain in my legs for the moment). I'm relaxing in my recliner currently. Got my Tins unit set up.. Gonna ice it here in a bit.

I want to thank everyone again for the help on finding Dt. Watkins and for their input. It it very much appreciated

You get any good pain meds? Give me your address and I’ll send a high class hooker your way to dress like a nurse and give you a sponge bath. The only thing is, though, that I’d be finding her over the internet so you could be catfished. It could be some 47 year old former stripper with no tread left on the tires who constantly has a Salem Light 100 in her mouth.

 

[BTTA]

UPDATE: Had an MRI done on Feb 18th. My disc had gotten 20% worse. I continued doing PT through March 3, but there was no progression. In fact, I got worse as I started feel pain in my right leg. Also started having issues where the pain would wake me up or would keep me from being able to sleep entirely.

Got my 2nd and 3rd opinions from Dr. Watkins (Gronk's guy) and a Non-surgical place (QC KInetics) in Austin. They all said that surgery was the only best option.

Had my surgery today (April 8th). It was a microsectomy and It seems to have gone well (no more pain in my legs for the moment). I'm relaxing in my recliner currently. Got my Tins unit set up.. Gonna ice it here in a bit.

I want to thank everyone again for the help on finding Dt. Watkins and for their input. It it very much appreciated

Well, I'm going to stop whining about my lower back tightness and pain.

Seriously, all the best.

If you are going to have a prolonged period in the recliner, you are going to get draft research assignments.

 

[BTTA]

You get any good pain meds? Give me your address and I’ll send a high class hooker your way to dress like a nurse and give you a sponge bath. The only thing is, though, that I’d be finding her over the internet so you could be catfished. It could be some 47 year old former stripper with no tread left on the tires who constantly has a Salem Light 100 in her mouth.

You Floridians tend to forget that the rest of the country is different, in some ways anyway.

 

[Kontradiction]

You Floridians tend to forget that the rest of the country is different, in some ways anyway.

Heh. This guy lives in Jax Beach.

 

[Joker]

I used to have Mom and Dad and my aunts and uncles and some of my cousins to lean on and and have for a security blanket. They're all dead. In fact, I used to have dozens of close friends I spent my free time with. Half my speed dial on my cell phone are dead numbers now. Only you can know how you feel about the losses you've incurred, DaB. All I can offer is true sympathy. What I've found out to be the most obvious truth in life is...Life Is Loss. You either get overrun by it or you push forward...ultimately we're all dead men.

My best advice about your back is DO NOT have any human take a scalpel and fuse anything. Exhaust all non-surgical possible options. My mother, my older brother, an uncle and some aunts have all been cut. You are NEVER the same. If you decide on microsurgery I'd recommend Boston or Cleveland. Better off insisting on the very best when it comes to your back. I'm no fan of those papaya injections either. They dissolve the disc but then what? I'm no doctor but I've made it this far intact and over the years I've leaned on stretching, inversion techniques and yoga to calm down the entire back structure. I hate to say it, but these days I look at medical "experts' in much the same light as car salesmen...definitely shop around, my friend.
Stick to it, DaB....good times always follow bad times. For me, at 70, waking up and seeing my ugly mug staring back at me feels like victory. Just keep stringing victories together...you'll be right as rain.

edit: just noticed above that you had microsurgery. Good choice, DaB...excellent prognosis

 

[DaBruinz]

Well, I'm going to stop whining about my lower back tightness and pain.

Seriously, all the best.

If you are going to have a prolonged period in the recliner, you are going to get draft research assignments.

I gotta read that new book on Belichick.. Then I might be able to do that..

The Doc does want me up and around, but no more than 20 minutes of walking at any time. Actually set a timer last night for 5 minutes. Wife and I saw how far we could get (1/8 around the block).. That's our baseline.. Hopefully, we'll get a bit farther with each foray and with adding time.. Though we're going to take it slow so as not to cause any inflammation.. Imflammation = scar tissue.. Scar tissue = BAD..

 

[DaBruinz]

You get any good pain meds? Give me your address and I’ll send a high class hooker your way to dress like a nurse and give you a sponge bath. The only thing is, though, that I’d be finding her over the internet so you could be catfished. It could be some 47 year old former stripper with no tread left on the tires who constantly has a Salem Light 100 in her mouth.

Just got Norco..

As for the hooker.. You'll need to wait a few days.. No sponge baths until after the wife goes back to work.. Knowing you, you'd purposely find that 47 year old with the Salem Light 100 hanging out of her mouth.. LOL ..