Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Disc Surgery
Herniated Disc - Minimally Invasive Surgery - Unusual Sensation On January 31, I underwent minimally invasive discectomy for the L4-L5 intervertebral disc. Upon waking up after the single-level surgery, I immediately felt relief from the nerve compression and limb pain that had b...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Since I am not a surgeon, I cannot answer your question. However, based on experience, if the symptoms return to their original state, there are two possibilities: one is that your nerves have been damaged and will not recover; the other is that there has been a recurrence. Nowad...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Disc Surgery
Understanding Spinal Hemorrhage: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Thoracic vertebral venous and arterial hemorrhage? Hello, I would like to consult a physician. My mother is 75 years old and has had diabetes for over 20 years, along with a history of undergoing surgery for sciatica about 9 years ago. Recently, she has experienced weakness, numb...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
I am not sure what is meant by arterial and venous bleeding. Could it be a mistake in your records? I suggest you schedule an appointment with your attending physician to discuss this matter thoroughly. It is both your right and responsibility. You can also gather all relevant in...[Read More] Understanding Spinal Hemorrhage: Causes, Risks, and Treatment Options
Post-Surgery Concerns: Understanding Nerve Recovery After L4/L5 Disc Surgery
Follow-up issues related to L4/L5 disc protrusion? Dear Doctor: I underwent minimally invasive lumbar discectomy surgery for a herniated disc at the L4/L5 level at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on November 26. It has been a week since the surgery, and I have noticed occasi...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
1. The timing may vary depending on your constitution, the initial condition, and post-care. Please consult your original physician. 2. Vitamin B complex can assist in recovery. 3. You may try heat therapy as part of your rehabilitation treatment. Wishing you a speedy recovery.[Read More] Post-Surgery Concerns: Understanding Nerve Recovery After L4/L5 Disc Surgery
Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy (for herniated disc at L4/L5) Dear Doctor: I underwent minimally invasive lumbar discectomy surgery for a herniated disc at the L4/L5 level at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital on November 26. It has been a week since the surgery, and I hav...
Dr. Lai Zhaokang Reply:
Hello, sir. What your doctor said is correct: the surgery only relocates the stones that are compressing the nerves; the damage caused by nerve compression has not yet recovered. We refer to this as nerve decompression. The recovery status depends on the extent of the initial ner...[Read More] Understanding Post-Surgery Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
Post-Operative Concerns After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
Postoperative Issues Following Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy Dear Doctor: I underwent minimally invasive lumbar discectomy surgery for a herniated disc at the L4/L5 level at Keelung Chang Gung Hospital on November 26. It has been one week post-surgery, and I have noticed o...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
You have previously asked the same question. It is normal to experience some neurological symptoms after surgery, and it will take time for recovery. Due to insufficient information and the lack of an in-person consultation, it is not possible to assess the severity of your condi...[Read More] Post-Operative Concerns After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Discectomy
Understanding Post-Operative Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Surgery
Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy? Dear Doctor: I underwent minimally invasive lumbar discectomy surgery for a herniated disc at the L4/L5 level on November 26 at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. It has been a week since the surgery, and I have noticed occasional pain on ...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
It is normal to experience some neurological symptoms after surgery, and it may take time for recovery. Due to insufficient information regarding the severity of your condition and neurological symptoms prior to surgery, we are unable to provide specific recommendations. We sugge...[Read More] Understanding Post-Operative Symptoms After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Surgery
Understanding Nerve Damage After Neck Injury: Recovery and Concerns
Neuropathy Hello Dr. Ding, I apologize for bothering you! My father-in-law had an accident in August this year where he collided with someone, resulting in neck injuries. He has been wearing a cervical collar and is experiencing symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, neck pain, ...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Any injury to the head can be collectively referred to as a head trauma. A concussion is generally defined as a loss of consciousness lasting more than 10 minutes following a head injury, with recovery of consciousness occurring within 24 hours; it is considered one of the mildes...[Read More] Understanding Nerve Damage After Neck Injury: Recovery and Concerns
Understanding Intermittent Leg Numbness: Causes and Treatment Options
Numbness and tingling in the feet? Hello Dr. Ding: I am inquiring on behalf of my wife regarding her symptoms. Currently, she experiences occasional mild tingling sensations in her lower body (the area includes her thighs and calves, but it does not affect her daily activities). ...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Due to the incomplete information you provided, I can only offer suggestions based on the existing data. Generally speaking, the symptoms you describe may be caused by abnormal posture leading to spinal degeneration. Most patients experience lower back pain due to prolonged stand...[Read More] Understanding Intermittent Leg Numbness: Causes and Treatment Options
Neck Disc Herniation: When to Consider Surgery After Rehab
Cervical intervertebral disc herniation rehabilitation bottleneck? My mother (48 years old) experienced neck and hand pain earlier this year and consulted a neurosurgeon. After an MRI, she was diagnosed with a herniated disc at the C3-C4 level. The doctor recommended surgery, but...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Due to the lack of imaging data and not having personally examined you, I can only provide suggestions based on your information. If rehabilitation does not show improvement, surgery may be a consideration. However, since I am not aware of the specifics of your allergy to anesthe...[Read More] Neck Disc Herniation: When to Consider Surgery After Rehab
Is the Minimally Invasive Surgery at NTU Hsinchu a Second-Generation Endoscopic Procedure?
Minimally invasive surgery Is the minimally invasive surgery at National Taiwan University Hsinchu Branch classified as a second-generation lumbar endoscopy?
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
I am not aware of the situation at other hospitals, so please go directly to National Taiwan University Hospital for inquiries.[Read More] Is the Minimally Invasive Surgery at NTU Hsinchu a Second-Generation Endoscopic Procedure?
Understanding Lumbar Bone Spurs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Lumbar osteophytes My wife is 28 years old, and her symptoms are as follows: (1) She experiences occasional sharp pain and swelling in the arch of her right foot when sitting for long periods (this occurs less frequently in more comfortable seating, but is more likely to happen i...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Due to the incomplete information provided, I can only offer general advice. According to numerous studies, bone spurs and symptoms are often not correlated. Our surgical approach primarily focuses on decompression and stabilization; generally, bone spurs merely indicate that you...[Read More] Understanding Lumbar Bone Spurs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Understanding L5 Vertebral Arch Fractures: Surgery, Pregnancy, and Pain Management
Fracture of the fifth vertebral arch? Hello, Doctor! Nine years ago, I experienced severe lower back pain and pain in my lower body that left me unable to move. It wasn't until the following year when I returned to Taiwan to see a doctor that I learned I had a fracture of th...
Dr. Xie Bojun Reply:
1. Fracture of the fifth vertebral arch is a complex condition, and all physicians are correct in stating so. 2. To diagnose your condition, it is necessary to perform X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with a clinical physical assessment to address your concerns.[Read More] Understanding L5 Vertebral Arch Fractures: Surgery, Pregnancy, and Pain Management
Choosing Between Titanium Implants and Original Skull for Cranioplasty
Regarding skull issues? For my 70-year-old mother, who underwent surgery for a ruptured cerebral aneurysm and had her skull removed, we are considering whether to use a titanium alloy cranial implant or to reattach the original skull bone (which has been preserved at low temperat...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Dear Jeff, Generally, the primary choice is to use the patient's own bone for grafting. There are occasional concerns about infection with preserved skull bones, but such cases are quite rare, and current preservation techniques are quite good. There is no issue of rejectio...[Read More] Choosing Between Titanium Implants and Original Skull for Cranioplasty
Post-Spinal Surgery Complications: Understanding Cardiac Arrest and Coma
Two days after spinal surgery, the patient experienced cardiac arrest and became comatose? I have a relative who sustained a spinal cord injury due to a crush injury on August 17. On August 22, he underwent surgery to replace an artificial bone joint and was transferred to a gene...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Due to incomplete information, the question you asked may not receive the assistance you need. Rapid heartbeat leading to cessation may also be caused by cardiac issues. Therefore, we may not be able to provide the assistance you require.[Read More] Post-Spinal Surgery Complications: Understanding Cardiac Arrest and Coma
Managing Scoliosis: Non-Surgical Options for Spine Health
Scoliosis I have severe scoliosis, and although I currently don't feel any discomfort, I am worried about potential symptoms that may arise in the future. Aside from surgery, what other methods are available to improve my scoliosis condition?
Dr. Xie Bojun Reply:
Hello Ms. Lan: Regarding the degree of scoliosis, it cannot be determined whether surgical treatment is necessary based solely on mild or severe classifications. It is recommended to consider physical therapy first. Thank you for your inquiry![Read More] Managing Scoliosis: Non-Surgical Options for Spine Health
Understanding Muscle Pain vs. Nerve Compression: A Patient's Journey
Is the alternating soreness throughout the body due to a muscle disorder or nerve compression? Hello, doctor. I would like to consult about my father, who is 64 years old. Symptoms: 1. Areas of soreness: upper back, outer upper arms, lower back, knee and thigh junction, inner ca...
Dr. Zhang Junwei Reply:
Hello: Based on the symptoms you described, it is more likely to be a cervical spine issue. Since the MRI of the cervical spine has confirmed nerve compression, and the symptoms are consistent, as a neurosurgeon, I would also recommend surgery. It is possible that your father has...[Read More] Understanding Muscle Pain vs. Nerve Compression: A Patient's Journey
Understanding the Differences Between Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Neurosurgery
The difference between National Health Insurance and out-of-pocket expenses? My mother has a lumbar spine slip at the L4 and L5 levels and needs surgery. The doctor recommends using a self-funded option (due to better materials). Is this necessary? By the way, my mother is 73 yea...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Due to the lack of clinical data, it is not possible to make a determination. I recommend seeking a second opinion from a nearby healthcare provider.[Read More] Understanding the Differences Between Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Costs for Neurosurgery
Understanding Neurofibromatosis Type 2 After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
At the age of 19, I underwent surgery for a unilateral vestibular schwannoma (4mm)? As per the title, I had surgery three years ago, and during my one-year follow-up, there was no recurrence. The doctor mentioned that I could follow up again in five years. I should have felt reli...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
NF2 has specific criteria; if you do not meet these criteria, you should not be diagnosed with NF2. I think you do not need to worry too much, just ensure proper monitoring.[Read More] Understanding Neurofibromatosis Type 2 After Acoustic Neuroma Surgery
Understanding Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms After a Motorcycle Accident
Post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) sequelae from a car accident? Hello Doctor: My father was hospitalized due to a motorcycle accident at the end of April, which resulted in a brain injury. He was in a coma with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 3 and had an intracranial pressure moni...
Dr. Ding Xianwei Reply:
Based on your description, I would like to offer my suggestions. Your father may be experiencing changes in temperament due to frontal lobe damage, which is part of the sequelae of a head injury. Frankly, it is quite remarkable that he has progressed from a Glasgow Coma Scale sco...[Read More] Understanding Post-Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms After a Motorcycle Accident
Understanding Cavernous Hemangiomas: Surgery, Recovery, and Risks
Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) Hello, doctor. During other examinations, I unexpectedly discovered that I have cavernous hemangiomas in both the left and right hemispheres of my brain. I heard that these are located on the microvasculature. The one in the left hemisphere i...
Dr. Zhang Yuanyi Reply:
Dear Bruce, Regarding your questions, here are the answers: How long will the surgery take? The duration of the surgery can vary. Typically, how long after the surgery will the patient wake up? Patients usually wake up after the effects of the anesthesia wear off. Will the pati...[Read More] Understanding Cavernous Hemangiomas: Surgery, Recovery, and Risks