[annmarie]

My husband had a MRI and needs to see a neurosurgeon for 5 cervical disc herniations. he was refered to Dr Hill in Leesburg. has anyone had experience with him? I want him to go to the Mayo Clinic. all feedback would be appreciated.

[mfp509]

I had 2 cervical discs replaced with fusion by Dr Mark Oliver of Ocala Neurosurgical Group. It was 100% successful and I am so glad I had it done. Should have done it a long time ago. A friend of mine had the same thing done by Dr Hill and he also was satisfied. For 2 discs, the operation was a piece of cake - in hospital overnight and in a soft collar for 3 weeks. I don't know how it would be for 5 discs.

[ijusluvit]

I think the doctor's age and experience are the most important factors. When I had 3 discs very successfully repaired/fused almost 10 years ago, my operation was necessary but risky. It was done by Kevin Gibbons, in Buffalo, who not yet 40 years old, had already performed almost 1000 spinal operations. This is the same doctor who, with a colleague eight years later, performed the well publicized "miraculous" surgery on the Bills football player who is not only alive but walking.

You can google Dr Gibbons and pick a doctor this way, but my point is this: pick the doctor, not the hospital. As good as a place like the Mayo Clinic is reputed to be, the best places still have the relatively inexperienced or 'past prime' surgeons.

Maybe distance from home is a factor. If it isn't, I'd cross country to have Dr. Gibbons take my case. Bless you! Good luck! And remember, good doctors and their technology are now so good that most cervical spinal surgery is not risky anymore.

[getdul981]

I've had single disc surgeries at two levels two separate times, and another type of surgery in between. (that even sounds strange to me) All were performed here in VA, but have had very good success. The first was in 1992 and they used a chip of bone off my hip to use for a graft. The last one was in 2009 and the Dr. used a titanium plate to fuse the vertabrae.

I agree with other posters. Find someone that has performed lots of these and do what they tell you. You will feel like you can do things that you are told not to do. DON'T DO IT!! The first thing that comes to mind is driving before you're turned lose.

[JenAjd]

Dr. Spurrier on Old Camp Rd. might be the way to go too. He does a non-evasive surgery. I saw him last Winter for a consultation with my MRI...his report was "keep doing what I was doing and if it gets worse to call him back!" I appreciated that he was conservative in his treatments and not "knife happy". He's a neuro-surgeon and by his credentials I'd trust him!

[Mikitv]

I agree with last poster, we had a specialist in Nashville, one of the top ten back doctors and his advise was the same, don't do surgery, sometimes it is only temporary relief. My husband only had L 4 & 5 ruptured disc and that was back in Michigan. First doctor in Michigan wanted to do surgery right away, second Dr. at University Of Michigan hospital said don't do surgery. So far two of the specialist have told him not to do surgery.

[petco882]

Originally Posted by annmarie

My husband had a MRI and needs to see a neurosurgeon for 5 cervical disc herniations. he was refered to Dr Hill in Leesburg. has anyone had experience with him? I want him to go to the Mayo Clinic. all feedback would be appreciated.

A recommendation would be Dr Paraiso . He is in Ocala. My husband saw Dr Hill. His bedside manner left a lot to be desired. He said surgery at once. We went to see Dr Paraiso after 3 different people recommended him. He said surgery was elective and his thoughts were to wait until he felt he couldnt enjoy any good quality of life. That was last year and my husband is still doing well and playing golf

[annmarie]

Thanks for all the input, still searching for a Dr. My husband has been having a series of epidural inj with Dr Eurbi The Villages. He still is having neck pain.
Has anyone else had surgery with Dr Hill, Leesburg? Has anyone had surgery with Dr Frank Bono or Dr James Rono?
Appreciate any feedback. He has tried to return to golf but it seems to make it worse.

[starflyte1]

My husband has budging and herniated disks. For two years we went to every doctor that someone recommended, but, partly because of his age, no one would offer any help. The epidurals did not help.

Then, someone from South Florida recommended Dr. Stephen Pyles in Ocala. He is an anesthesiologist and has a pain management practice. He injected my husband using a live picture to hit the right spot. Burt is now playing 9 holes of golf almost daily, and is doing quite well. Before, he had trouble sitting in any chair but his recliner, and going out was a painful ordeal.

We travelled many miles, went to many clinics, and saw many doctors until someone could help. Don't give up. Dr Pyles may not be the one, but keep looking. Also, Dr. Pyles loves golf, as does his PA. His PA has been treated by Dr. Pyles and she even got a hole in one.

[gego3650]

Dr. Frank Eismont is as good as there is . He is at the University of Miami spine group and excels above all . It takes 3 monthe to get in depending on the problem. Mine was bad so I got in the next week . call me at 352-461-6301 if you want the contact number.

[annmarie]

Thanks for all the input. It is greatly appreciated, We have seen Gulf coast spine institue physican. Has anyone had surgery by DR James J Ronzo for cervical spine nerve compression C- 5,6,7,? He recomends disk removal with spacers and fusion with synthetic bone graft. He seems very Knowledgeable, Web site very informative. Can't find anyone who reviews him other than advertisements , healthgrades ect.;not sure how reliable they are?
Would anyone have any experience with them? He was associated with University of Miami.

[dillywho]

My husband just had surgery last week by Dr. Ronzo of Gulf Coast and is doing great. I was very impressed with Citrus Memorial Hospital in Inverness as well (this is where he does his surgeries). To date, I have heard absolutely nothing but praise for Dr. Ronzo from other patients, home health care, nurses.....everyone! He's definitely living up to our expectations. He does require that you follow his instructions "to the letter" for optimum results. The therapist with Omni Home Health care that did the initial PT visit with my husband was telling us that he's been with him for 10 years. He also told us that Dr. Ronzo just recently did neck surgery on his own father.