Back surgeons in Morristown area?

[Dave Taylor]

Dude.... sorry to see all this going down. If you're at a 13 on a scale of 1-10, that sounds fucking debilitating. Stop whatever you're doing at go to the ER. That's just me though. I like to think I have a high threshold for pain, but in reality, I don't.

Normally I would be there. I am in charge at work today so I need to go later. It’s hard to even think. I always deal with some sort of pain. This is ridiculous. The 13 level is in different positions. I can find some relief in positions that put me at 7 or 8.

 

[Carson]

I don't know the name, but my sciatic nerve was pinched and he
removed part of my spine and put in rods and screws to support it.

View attachment 68501

View attachment 68502

That looks like a TLIF and it looks eerily familiar.

So Tuesday night. Muscles feel tired( probably from electrostim and compensation). Not feeling mich better but a little more flexible. I wake up this morning and pain is worse. Car ride to work is bad and once at work and dressed(a feat all in it’s own), the pain meter just spiked to a 13 on 1-10. I need to see someone today. This is like numbing, blackout pain. Two drs never called back for appointments yesterday. I’ll make a few last attempts before ER. Really don’t want to go that route.

I agree with the ER if it's that bad...hopefully they can make a referral to a good pain management doc or neuro doc to get a treatment plan started.

 

[qclabrat]

Normally I would be there. I am in charge at work today so I need to go later. It’s hard to even think. I always deal with some sort of pain. This is ridiculous. The 13 level is in different positions. I can find some relief in positions that put me at 7 or 8.

Try a larger outfit like Summit Medical Group, they usually have an opening with their gazillion docs. Not my favorite practice, but they are alway available when I'm at a pinch to find one when no one else has openings. Consider getting a ride, turning to look at the mirrors and traffic was always a challenge when I get these episodes.
Here are their number so you don't need to look it up:

• Main Number: 908-273-4300
  Urgent Care Centers:
• Berkeley Heights: 908-277-8880
• Florham Park: 973-404-9780
• Livingston: 973-436-1500
• Westfield: 908-389-6400

 

[Dave Taylor]

Try a larger outfit like Summit Medical Group, they usually have an opening with their gazillion docs. Not my favorite practice, but they are alway available when I'm at a pinch to find one when no one else has openings. Consider getting a ride, turning to look at the mirrors and traffic was always a challenge when I get these episodes.
Here are their number so you don't need to look it up:

• Main Number: 908-273-4300
  Urgent Care Centers:
• Berkeley Heights: 908-277-8880
• Florham Park: 973-404-9780
• Livingston: 973-436-1500
• Westfield: 908-389-6400

Thanks. As per my buddy Joe Cummings I am going to see Dr Mulholland in Red Bank today for a primary visit and Dr Daknis in wall on friday. My cousin referred me to a surgeon (dr nasseef in Cedar Knolls if it needs to go the surgery route(this would be last resourt).

 

[Dave Taylor]

Well it’s Friday at 8am. Yesterday am was the worst trying to stand up after getting out of bed. I called out of work. On wednesday I went and saw a primary for temporary relief and they got me goi g with some prdnisone and flexoril. A steroid and muscle relaxer. I tokk first does wednesday at 4pm. It made me super drowsy which was good and allowed me sto rest/sleep a lot.
Onto thursday. Pure agony in the am. Took Jack for a walk around the block at 8:30am and then went and laid down for 5 hours. I laid down for so long because I was afraid of the pain to stand up. Well I did it and things we a little easier to get up. So the wife and I took the boys to the pump track of the Hh trail. I was achy but could squat and move to get comfy. Meds were working. I was able to do some light xhores in the garage and more importantly sit up a bit. Went out to eat and hit the sack in comfort around 10:30. Sllept through the night.
So this morning I wake up early(thanks to Jack dumping his blocks out on the floor). I basically get right out of bed, stand up and make coffee/breakfast. Definitely stiff from doing not much all week and my right aide sacrum area is sore/tender. I can now lift my legs up and do some slow stretching. Well I am going to see the spine specialist Dr Daknis in Wall at 9:30 and hopefully some good news. Wood be nice to be able to do an easy road or trainer ride this weekend.

 

[Patrick]

glad you are feeling better - but please go easy!!! the future is more important than this weekend.
-my mom around 1985 or so.

 

[MMuller]

I walked around the block for the 1st time yesterday in 2 months. Amazed a couple days ago when I could feel my calf and ankle for the 1st time. Next day foot started coming back. This is the 1st fwd motion for my injury in 2 months, now 2 weeks after ER surgery. Hoping it keeps going. You are so lucky and very happy for you in feeling better. BTW. I went to Ortho Inst on Rt 34 near Allaire. Folks that ride Allaire should know they have an ortho walk-in clinic, MRI, Xray.

 

[Dave Taylor]

I walked around the block for the 1st time yesterday in 2 months. Amazed a couple days ago when I could feel my calf and ankle for the 1st time. Next day foot started coming back. This is the 1st fwd motion for my injury in 2 months, now 2 weeks after ER surgery. Hoping it keeps going. You are so lucky and very happy for you in feeling better. BTW. I went to Ortho Inst on Rt 34 near Allaire. Folks that ride Allaire should know they have an ortho walk-in clinic, MRI, Xray.

This is the spine center on 34 just south of the road you turn right on near the gas station to head to allaire. Dr Daknis. I am here now. HeAl up Mark.

 

[Mitch]

Good luck Dave.

PS: 1 set of pictures is enough, geez

 

[Santapez]

No relation or personal use, but I've seen Stuart McGill come up over and over for non-surgery back repairs. You may want to look into this method for long term repairs.

 

[xc62701]

Good luck Dave.

PS: 1 set of pictures is enough, geez

Those meds must be good that's a lot of pics.

 

[xc62701]

Wood be nice to be able to do an easy road or trainer ride this weekend.

So wanna do Hillier this weekend?

 

[Dave Taylor]

So wanna do Hillier this weekend?

Funny you say that. A shorter ride up that way crossed my mind @xc62701

 

[RobW]

Funny you say that. A shorter ride up that way crossed my mind @xc62701

Careful with that prednisone, my dad was just on it. He wanted to argue about everything and has some serious mood swings. You should chill and work on 12 oz at a time until cleared.

 

[jerseyjeffr]

I have had my back opened up twice, once by stephen dorsky, and then once by John Knightly (Atlantic neurosurgical group) I had disectomies on two different sets of disks. Knightly is a big sports guy and totally got it as far as wanting to get back in the game. I would go back to Knightly in a heartbeat. Last time I was opened up was about 15 years ago, and all has been good since then. I did have a little pain relapse and had an epidural injection, and that was amazingly awesome as far as the pain relief. Like so good that the doc made me promise not to do anything stupid.

Back pain is awful, and it messes with your head. I spent 3 months needed surgery the first time and too chicken to get it done, then post surgery things were so much better. Hang in there

 

[Dave Taylor]

Well I do the MRI tomorrow but besides inflammation and spasms Dr Daknis feels like it is the lowest disk(L1 I guess). The one at bottom of spine/sacrum joint. He doesn’t think it is herniated but it is a sloght tear/slice. The mri should tell all. I go back to see him next friday.

 

[Carson]

Well I do the MRI tomorrow but besides inflammation and spasms Dr Daknis feels like it is the lowest disk(L1 I guess). The one at bottom of spine/sacrum joint. He doesn’t think it is herniated but it is a sloght tear/slice. The mri should tell all. I go back to see him next friday.

L5/S1. Ask me how I know.

 

[pooriggy]

Good luck Dave. Hopefully you can get relief quickly for your back.

 

[icebiker]

Having been there and back (pun intended) several times i can totally relate. I have two herniated discs and two bulging. Really sorry to see anyone suffer through this. I would only add a few things (apologies if you have been advised accordingly already):
1) surgery should be the absolute last resort. I have had back surgeons themselves tell me this. If you see signs of progress to some semblance of normalcy after some time with rest and meds, surgery is often not recommended
2) When a disc is herniated, the body often finds a way to adjust and compensate, so time is your friend
3) don’t rule out muscle tension as the culprit. Cyclists are notorious for overly tight psoas, priformis, glutes, IT band and QL muscles. If you have a desk job like I do or sitting profession (like truck drivers) the tautness is only magnified. This tension can pull unequally in the spine and throw it out of whack.

Keep us posted. You have a lot of sympathizers here that want to see you get well.

 

[Dave Taylor]

Well, I go for a second visit with Dr Daknis this friday but I received results from the MRI. It shows I have a slightly posterior herniated disc L3-L4. Not sure if it’s old or new as maybe the doc can determine that. I feel it’s an old injury that I really just beat the shit out of this time. Finally a break in the pain department.
It still feels odd back there but I would say I can move pretty fluently. Looking back, I injured this initially 10 years ago and since then I have used a “wedge” coccyx support cushion in my car since then. This changes the angle you sit at so as to not sit in a bucket. I threw that nasty, ten uear okd pillow out about three weeks ago. I really think all the aggravation I have caused has stemmed from a combo of not usi g the pillow, poor posture while welding, over use and generally pulvering my back once I “slipped” at Iron Furnace.
On a final note, it’s scary when this happens as every bad thought goes through your mind. My family, my life, my health, my job, my biking! Here’s to hopefully being on the upside of healing again.