Specifically for fusion surgery in L5 S1.

Already exhausted all other non-surgical options, so not looking for suggestions on pain management, stem cell therapy, exercise, etc. I've literally done it all in an effort to avoid surgery as long as possible, but I'm at the point of no return now.

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/doctor/marcel-wiley/

Do you have personal experience using him? What did you like about him?

He did a microdiscectomy for my wife. He was straight forward and great during the entire process.

Dr Todd Trask performed a discectomy and installed a Barricaid device for my wife a few years ago. She highly recommends him.

https://www.houstonmethodist.org/doctor/todd-trask/

Had L4-L5-S1 fusion 5 yrs ago. Dr. Williamson at Fondren on Main. One of the best in the country.

I can tell you who not to use…any doctor that does plaintiffs' personal injury work. Some of those guys will cut on anyone of any age for any flimsy reason. You want someone who isn't afraid to tell you surgery isn't the answer, even when everything else has failed.

woodyhayes said:

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Had L4-L5-S1 fusion 5 yrs ago. Dr. Williamson at Fondren on Main. One of the best in the country.

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+1 for Bryan Williamson at Fondren

woodyhayes said:

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Had L4-L5-S1 fusion 5 yrs ago. Dr. Williamson at Fondren on Main. One of the best in the country.

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THIS GUY

woodyhayes said:

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Had L4-L5-S1 fusion 5 yrs ago. Dr. Williamson at Fondren on Main. One of the best in the country.

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Dr Williamson is great. Did my back surgery (not as serious as a fusion, and did my dad's wife's fusion. Would highly recommend him.

I can't recommend a Dr here in Houston, when I had fusion surgery, I was living in New Orleans (2003) and went to a neurosurgeon instead of an orthopedic. Was fantastic and I went 23 years with no issues.

I had orthopedic do previous surgeries on my ruptured disc in 1987 and then again in 1996.

Good luck, but I do recommend looking at neurosurgeons too.

It sounds like you've been through the wringer which sucks. Been there with same disc. I would also suggest , as others have, seeing a neurologist/nerosurgeon. Discectomy and Laminectomy procedures are something to explore if you haven't already. Fusion surgery can be high risk. L5-S1 is a tricky spot. One piece of advice I can give is don't wait, especially if you are having noticible symptoms of nerve engagement. I waited and will be dealing with neuropathy and nerve damage for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately, not eligible for discectomy & laminectomy due to pars defect and additional structural issues in the area.

I did see a neurosurgeon for a consult last March and really liked him, but felt I would be remiss if I didn't do additional consults instead of just settling on the first one. I met with Dr. Meng Huang, if anyone has ever worked with him.

Had 2 L4-L5 surgeries in 2019. He performed my 2nd one. Doesn't have much of a bedside manner and is very straight and to the point. I'd see him again.

https://www.neurosurgery-texas.com/physicians/taylor-l-gist-md/

Great Dr & Surgeon. Be prepared for a mediocre office staff.

Dr Andrew Roeser did my C6-C7 fusion a few years ago. Would go back to him in a heartbeat if I had to


https://www.houstonmethodist.org/doctor/andrew-roeser/

+1 for Wiley listed earlier. Have two close family members who had fusions done by him. Both had fantastic results. The second went to him on recommendation from the first, if that tells you anything. Excellent surgeon and a no-BS dude. Cannot recommend him enough.

That would include 1) Remi Nader 2) Masaki Oishi 3) Kenneth Lee 4) Maxwell Adu Lartey for starters

Do you have a spondylolisthesis associated with your pars defect?

Also, if you visit with a surgeon, see if they are doing the surgery posterior or anterior, or what's called a OLIF at L5-S1. If they do it anterior who is the access surgeon. Are they using percutaneous screws or open posterior surgery from the front.

I personally would go to someone that is deformity trained. Lots to consider. I know who I would go to around the country but I'm not sure I would go to anyone here.

Yes, fairly severe Spondy.

First doctor I met with said he'd go in through the front.

If there is a pretty big spondy, I would recommend you seeing a deformity surgeon otherwise the spondy may not be corrected fully. Is it a grade 1 or grade 2. It may need an open approach. In those situations, if the surgeon isn't measuring the pelvic incidence and seeing how much lumbar lordosis you need, there is an issue. Most spine surgeons are geared toward degenerative cases.