Bulging Discs in back?

[mash]

Originally Posted by Blueface

Well, let's see.
A doctor I am not but let's determine how bad my Derrick Thomas example truly is.

He died of a blood clot, post operative.

As a doctor, please clarify for me.
Is there a potential risk for terminal blood clots post surgeries?
Is this potential recently being determined to be more pervasive than previously thought?

I believe you will have to agree there is.

If there is, and Derrick Thomas got one post surgery to attempt to repair his post traumatic paralysis, how is my analogy so far off?

In answer to your questions:

No, I don't agree that "this potential recently being determined to be more pervasive than previously thought". By whom?

Your analogy is very far off. Thomas had a spinal cord decompression, and then had his spinal column fixed with hardware and a bone graft from his hip. All of this time, he was totally immoblized. You are attributing his risk of pulmonary embolism to the general case where a non-paralyzed person gets a discectomy as a rationale to not have surgery. Simply wrong.
I'm with you on not having surgery unless it is the only option, this is just not a valid argument.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by mash

In answer to your questions:

No, I don't agree that "this potential recently being determined to be more pervasive than previously thought". By whom?

Your analogy is very far off. Thomas had a spinal cord decompression, and then had his spinal column fixed with hardware and a bone graft from his hip. All of this time, he was totally immoblized. You are attributing his risk of pulmonary embolism to the general case where a non-paralyzed person gets a discectomy as a rationale to not have surgery. Simply wrong.
I'm with you on not having surgery unless it is the only option, this is just not a valid argument.

I respect your opinion.
I'll remain with mine.
Not the first time I have disagreed with a doctor.

As to where I got the prevalence of clots post op, tons of material on that.
In fact, it is even alluded to in the article I attached, which I candidly found post my post. I didn't type this. Someone else did.

"Nothing has been confirmed but the coroner did tell us that he thinks Mia died from a blood clot related to the knee surgery," she adds. "We are just now finding this out that this is all too common and people don't know the risks of arthroscopic surgery. They need to be made aware of the risks."

And to think this was knee surgery. Not a doctor but would bet the spine is a tad more complicated.
At least we agree on the surgery part which was my main point.
Enough about DT as far as I am concerned.
On with the thread.

[Blueface]

I didn't write this either.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5084589_si...r-surgery.html

Or this.

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/blood...r-surgery.html

Or this.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...-research.html

Or this.

http://www.webmd.com/dvt/news/200912...clot-risk-high

Or this.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...at_should.html

[Blueface]

I know I said enough of DT BUT.......

Here is what one of the article says.
Like most things, developing a blood clot after surgery is more common with age. The chances become higher for individuals over 40 years of age. If you are over 40 and are anticipating a surgery you must be aware of the symptoms of a blood clot so you can contact your doctor right away.

First, a lot of clots form in the thigh or lower leg. Your leg may begin to experience pain and sudden swelling. The leg can begin to turn a reddish-blue color. Your leg may also begin to feel warm.

Second, Clots can break loose and travel back to your lungs. If it blocks the flow of blood to your lungs you could suffer a pulmonary embolism. This is serious and can often cause sudden death. Contact your doctor immediately if you find yourself suffering from any of the following symptoms: a stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, a rapid heart beat, dizziness, fainting, profuse sweating, anxiety, coughs for no reason, or coughing up blood.

Now isn't this what happened to DT, it went to his lungs?
Didn't he have surgery and didn't he have a pulmonary embolism?
I know immobilized is key more often but not always.
Aren't you somewhat immobilized post serious invasive back surgery?
If it can happen from a flight on a plane, it cant from any surgery confining you to bed, even if just days?

On to med school for me so I can better debate this.

[mash]

Originally Posted by Blueface

I know I said enough of DT BUT.......

Here is what one of the article says.
Like most things, developing a blood clot after surgery is more common with age. The chances become higher for individuals over 40 years of age. If you are over 40 and are anticipating a surgery you must be aware of the symptoms of a blood clot so you can contact your doctor right away.

First, a lot of clots form in the thigh or lower leg. Your leg may begin to experience pain and sudden swelling. The leg can begin to turn a reddish-blue color. Your leg may also begin to feel warm.

Second, Clots can break loose and travel back to your lungs. If it blocks the flow of blood to your lungs you could suffer a pulmonary embolism. This is serious and can often cause sudden death. Contact your doctor immediately if you find yourself suffering from any of the following symptoms: a stabbing chest pain, shortness of breath, a rapid heart beat, dizziness, fainting, profuse sweating, anxiety, coughs for no reason, or coughing up blood.

Now isn't this what happened to DT, it went to his lungs?
Didn't he have surgery and didn't he have a pulmonary embolism?
I know immobilized is key more often but not always.
Aren't you somewhat immobilized post serious invasive back surgery?
If it can happen from a flight on a plane, it cant from any surgery confining you to bed, even if just days?

On to med school for me so I can better debate this.

When you get there, ask one of your teachers what the term "relative risk" means, and how to apply it.
Please just let this go. I don't know what you do for a living, but I wouldn't presume to have the same expertise as you do in your field, and keep arguing on and on. Doctors, myself included, don't know everything, but this is a simple concept, and it doesn't get more fuzzy just because you can't understand or accept it.

[Blueface]

Originally Posted by mash

When you get there, ask one of your teachers what the term "relative risk" means, and how to apply it.
Please just let this go. I don't know what you do for a living, but I wouldn't presume to have the same expertise as you do in your field, and keep arguing on and on. Doctors, myself included, don't know everything, but this is a simple concept, and it doesn't get more fuzzy just because you can't understand or accept it.

Will do.
You call what I call discussion on a discussion board an argument?
Is that what you call it when a patient questions your judgment?
No doctor, including yourself can be provided a different perspective?

In the meantime, what about all the material I posted?
Is it all BS because it does not agree with you?
Why have you chosen to ignore that and instead talk me down?
Should they go back to school also?
Now we are arguing but I am done.
Let those that read this thread decide.
Couldn't care less.

I am genuinely amazed that at out of all on that post, to include quoting from attached material, on to med school for me is the thing to respond to.
Freaking amazing.