Colorado Spine Clinics

[Gilbert P]

Hello All

I am wondering if anyone has any experience of spine centers in Colorado? It is closer to me than other centers.Direct flight. Utah were no help. Idaho also no help. CA. plenty of help long distance two connections, etc, Germany Argh, Brazil no longer in contact?
My neck is now more painful than my lumbar Should have a C Spine MRI but the machine here In Jackson is old and the images are not great. its a 3 out of 5 Would rather pay for one.

Thank you all in advance

Gil

[Santorini]

Are you looking for an Ortho or an NS? Given how complex your spine issues are maybe you should see V. Patel at U of Colorado Health Sciences. I was just given his name for my SI joint issues but I am not a big fan of teaching hospitals so I am still thinking it over. Patel is big into motion preservation so maybe that route would be good for you?

[KanRunMo]

Gilbert,
I have been to Colorado many times but have not had any experience in spine treatment in Colorado. I did look up spine treatments and doctors in Denver and of course, there are many of them. I think it was the Denver Spine Clinic which would give their outcomes to other doctors so you might get your local doctor to check on them. I do know they have the best powder (snow for skiing) in the country - my opinion. Denver and Dallas are about the same distance for me so I'm looking into both for back surgery but they all have that FDA limitation and insurance limitations on ADRs.

[Justin]

Hi Gil,

Dr. Kenneth Pettine is a great surgeon. I have spoken with his staff in the past and I had a pleasant experience with them. He is regarded as one of the "front runners" in spine surgery.

Dr. Kenneth Pettine; RMA Ortho; Loveland, Colorado
Rocky Mountain Associates in Orthopedic Medicine

I hope this helps.

[Gilbert P]

Hi

Thanks for the information I am looking into it,

The best powder skiing is in UTAH, it is light and very deep from the lake effect snow. In Wyoming it can also be great steep and deep. The Canidian Rockies s also great

I am not a fan of teaching hospitals "here you tyr it" as the surgeon says to his student The last University wanted to install a spine cord stimulator. Motion preservation would be great, But not with four levels.

Thank You All So Much

Gil

[Santorini]

I completely understand your feelings on the teaching hospitals but I have actually run into folks that have had very good outcomes with Patel. I am not sure if you can request that only he operates, probably not. This is certainly a question I am going to ask should I decide to see him regarding the SI joint issues. I have no desire to be handing over my body to those in training.

[luann]

Gil,
I have infact in the past had great experience with The Center for Spinal Disorders with Dr. Michael Janssen. He has put in 2 prodiscs in my cervical spine and one in my lumbar. I currently am in need of a second one in my lumbar spine, but my insurance company ( different than before) won't pay for it. I have had to on disability which is unfortunate because Dr. Janssen has always been able to fix the problem so that I could return to work as a Registered Nurse. They have a website. It would be worth the trip to Denver to see him. If you go give him my regards . It just is going to take awhile for me to save the $. to have the next surgery. I think you wil be pleased.
Lu Ann in Texas.

Hello All

I am wondering if anyone has any experience of spine centers in Colorado? It is closer to me than other centers.Direct flight. Utah were no help. Idaho also no help. CA. plenty of help long distance two connections, etc, Germany Argh, Brazil no longer in contact?
My neck is now more painful than my lumbar Should have a C Spine MRI but the machine here In Jackson is old and the images are not great. its a 3 out of 5 Would rather pay for one.

Thank you all in advance

Gil

[Cindylou]

I know nothing of spine centers in Colorado but I do know snow. And I have to agree with Gil, the best powder is in Utah. I've skied all over the Rockies, Vail being my favorite, for a whole combination of reasons. Have skied some on the East coast, Vermont mainly, and of course, our "bumps" for hills in Minnesota, lol. I blew my knee out at the ripe old age of 19 skiing powder in Utah, at either Park City or Alta, can't remember which one...my first major surgery, in a foreign state, no less, all alone. Am hoping to get out west in early 2011 to ski some easy, groomed green and blue runs, which would be the first time in about 3 years, since I skied last. Sure won't attempt any powder anymore, or black diamond runs. Those days are over. I'd just like to get those sticks back on for old time's sake, and glide with the wind. I sure do miss skiing, can ya tell? The other day, when going through old clothes for Goodwill and switching out the closet from summer to winter clothes, I came across an old pair of knickers I bought in Switzerland years ago. These things have to be 20 years old, but look brand new, I swear, because how often do you wear knickers now? lol With all the weight I've lost, I decided to try them on and they fit perfectly. My old skiing buddy, Rosalie, also had a pair of knickers, and we used to wear them at least once during a week long ski trip, always at the same time, and got some fun looks and thumbs up from fellow skiers. Probably didn't hurt that she skied effortlessly. She's "old school" technique, with the skis right next to each other, gliding down the hill like a swan, just beautiful. Her husband was an Olympic skier, so she learned from a pro. That was my original technique as well, from the 60's, but I've tried to change my style with the times, and ski "more current" trends. Probably because as a ski instructor too, you learn what's new, and that's what you teach. Oh, how I've digressed, right from the get-go. Thanks for indulging me. I guess our first 9 " snowfall the other day pushed my thinking into winter hobbies overnight. CL

[KanRunMo]

Gil,
I guess I won't argue over which state has the best powder for snow skiing (but I know it's Colorado). We actually have a bump for skiing in "the fly-over state", Kansas, but once you've been to the Rockies there's no going back to the small ones. I hope to get out skiing in Colorado this winter while I'm still pain-free and before any surgery.
Good Luck on finding a good doctor for your back.

[Gilbert P]

Thanks all

LuAnn I will call Dr Janssen ?

KanRunMo We were just in Colorado skiing at A Basin and Loveland also checked out Keystone and Vail Compared to Jackson Hole, Lame! No steep terrain and short verticial drop, We like it here,

All The Best

Gil