I came across this article about Liz Taylor, and how she is suffering from a lot of neck pain. The author quoted a source as saying that she doesn't want to have any more surgery, even though she "needs" surgery on her neck to relieve nerve pressure.
Perhaps she does “need the operation”, but maybe not. Who is the source? What is his/her background? Is he/she even in a health care field? How about poor Ms Taylor. Can Ms. Taylor withstand the rigors of another surgery? Are her heart and lungs in good enough shape? What are her chances of passing away while on the table? What type of spinal surgery is proposed, and what are the potential risks vs benefits of the surgery? What are the potential short and long term complications of having the surgery verses not having the surgery? It sounds like I am harping on Ms. Taylor and the “source” quoted in the article, but in fact, I am simply asking many of the questions that I ask my patients when they consider surgery. Spinal surgery is risky, could kill her, and might not relieve her pain. Surgery should never be considered lightly.
Contrary to popular belief, spinal surgery does not cure anything. It only sometimes helps the patient to manage and control symptoms. Pain is not the disease, it is the symptom. The pain is caused, most likely in Ms Taylor's case, by spinal degenerative changes. Has she tried acupuncture? How about cervical traction? Could she get some relief from massage therapy, exercises, or even gentle chiropractic work?
I trust Ms. Taylor to make the best decision for herself. I would encourage her, and anyone else considering spinal surgery, to weigh the options, and exhaust all alternatives to surgery first. Only then can a educated decision be made.
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Dr. Biggs
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