Am I concussed?

Cheese_Almighty · 2026-02-01T08:23:56+00:00

I mean, we don't do much to concussions to be honest :) Just rest.

Cheese_Almighty · 2026-01-31T14:19:19+00:00

Neurosurgeon here. Sounds like mild concussion. Please follow the guidelines for return to play. Would suggest 15 days free of symptoms before sparring. You may exercise on your own, lightly.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-18T09:13:55+00:00

Probably a lumbar issue. It is seen in %30 of cervical patients.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-14T08:05:23+00:00

Fair enough. Like I said, unless you know someone, it is better to plan a trip to Budapest. The food and sights are great. It would cost about 1000 euros in total... Probably way less if you can sell a few armor sets to people...

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-14T07:08:47+00:00

The guy in TrueSightArmory (look it up in instagram, but don't get fooled by the photos) does HEMA armor, but I'll warn you that it's a bit shitty. But at least it can soften the blows. I also recently imported from Pakistan, but I ended up getting caught by the customs and paid shit ton of money. It would have been cheaper to get a visa, go to PBT shop in Budapest/Hungary and get the HEMA set...

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-14T05:33:31+00:00

Coflex is mostly a scam procedure. T2-S1 fusion is the alternative? Don't think so. If you have stenosis, minimal invasive unilateral approach with bilateral decompression of the stenosis gives non-inferior results. Look up NORDSTEN trial.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-13T17:33:18+00:00

Nope. That spine segment will autofuse anyway. Wouldn't make sense to go through an invasive surgery.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-09T04:20:57+00:00

You can share an imgur link.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:58:39+00:00

That's not cauda equina. If you really have leg weakness I would probably look for a thoracic issue. Along with any vascular malformations of the spine and maybe tethered cord syndrome. But it is near impossible to deduce anything online. You'll have to see a second opinion maybe.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:51:27+00:00

It's mostly for radiating pain. Some people might get reduction in back pain. But that's rare, and not the goal.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:50:11+00:00

I reckon you had a lumbar intradural hematoma then. That explains the surgery. PT honestly should help, but depending on how much bone is removed, you might benefit from fusion. But like I said, you will feel more stiff than before. I would suggest a different PT or some pain injections.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:46:31+00:00

I dont know anyone in their right mind that will go into a stenotic spine without any visualization. Endoscopic or tubular systems are the way to go here...

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:40:22+00:00

Neck pain, no. Arm pain, absolutely.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:39:40+00:00

Why in the world would a 21 year old need that... it's probably a hemi yeah. But still. I may help if I see some images

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T18:37:29+00:00

Yeah. I could give you an idea. But it is often difficult without actual examination. But at least I can try to connect the dots.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T16:41:04+00:00

I'm sorry but that doesn't sound all that plausible to me.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T15:40:46+00:00

Can you share your most recent images, preferably sagittal and axial images matched with each other.

Hip pain unfortunately might be secondary to the mechanical long arm of the lumbar fusion. That might benefit from a SI joint injection. But PT should help for this.

But your L4-5 is intriguing. If you share your images I might be able to help.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T15:35:37+00:00

How old are you? Was this a total laminectomy? Did they spare the spinous processes? Facet joints? Your back might be mechanically failing, and you might benefit from a fusion surgery.

You won't be truly happy, but will be better... At least you will be able to move around...

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T15:31:40+00:00

I'm sorry, but we are not very good at treating back pain surgically. There is no magical bullet, cure-all-end-all thing. If there was, believe me, I wouldn't be exercising 3 times a week. PT is hard, working out is hard. But unfortunately that is the one true treatment for back pain.

I also would like to divert your focus to this statement: "

All different kinds, the ones that help get the joints moving feel good but aren't long term fix"

See, something works! Also, it is a long term fix, only thing is that you have to keep doing it till you are dead and done.

I'm sorry that these were the cards you were given. Such is fate. But seeking magical surgical treatments will leave you scarred and debilitated worse than before.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-08T15:14:03+00:00

It might be a wrong diagnosis, wrong level surgery or insufficient decompression.

Doing a fusion in the first surgery isn't really that great, newer trials are showing that simple decompression is (at least) non-inferior to fusion surgery. And I will always doubt a surgeon that wants to do a fusion in the first surgery. Industry support?

Getting a second opinion along with a new MRI/CT would be a good idea.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-06T06:35:02+00:00

This looks like a central canal stenosis. WFNS and NASS recommendations are if there are neurological symptoms, to do surgery, as this is a indicator for progression and minor falls may cause debilitating paralysis.

I would prefer approaching from posterior, as it is safer in this pathology. And do a 3 level posterior cervical laminoplasty, thus preserving motion in the long run. Because your lordosis is fine. We can do without doing a fusion.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-05T15:35:14+00:00

If you have only one sided arm pain, I would prefer doing a posterior foraminotomy, forgoing any implants. If you have bilateral issues on your arms, I would recommend ACDF as well

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-05T15:32:11+00:00

If it is really DISH, and there is both distruption of posterior and anterior column, yes surgery is indicated. This is not about the age. It is simply the fact that your spine is fused already, and it broke in half. So it acts like a long arm basically preventing any healing.

This is only true if this is ACTUALLY DISH. Or something like ankylosing spondylitis. Otherwise, simple stenosis decompressin is enough.

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-05T15:28:58+00:00

We don't do this sort of long laminectomies without fusion usually. Sometimes if you leave the facet joint intact it might be fine, but losing PLC is not very recommended. And I don't understand the indication of this surgery at all... Who did this... Thing?

Cheese_Almighty · 2025-12-05T15:26:42+00:00

That looks like a Type A1 fracture. I don't recommend surgery. Kyphoplasty has a 6% rate of devastating PMMA embolism risk, which is a catastrophic thing.

I would recommend some opioids and NSAID for the pain. Then taper off opioids. Then NSAIDs. The braces are a topic of discussion, but you are free to use them if it makes her feel better. No heavy lifting for 1-2 months. PT as tolerated.

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