Opinion ID: 1988913
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Patient SW

Text: SW came to Albanna in 1996 complaining of neck problems causing severe pain and interfering with her ability to work. Prior to seeing Albanna, SW had surgery to fuse two of her vertebrae. Initially, Albanna advised the patient to undergo traction and take a prescribed muscle relaxant  a conservative course of treatment. SW responded poorly to traction, complaining of severe pain both during and after traction. Albanna then ordered a number of diagnostic tests, including a myelogram  an X-ray procedure in which dye is injected into the spine  and an MRI. Albanna interpreted the myelogram to reveal spinal stenosis, a condition in which the spinal cord narrows, pinching spinal nerves. Albanna recommended that SW continue traction, which SW was reluctant to do. Albanna informed SW that she had three options: 1) live with the pain; 2) continue the conservative therapy; or 3) undergo surgery. SW chose surgery. Following SW's choice of treatment, Albanna surgically fused SW's cervical vertebrae, C3 to C7, and performed a laminectomy, a procedure in which the posterior arch of a vertebra is excised. Following the surgery, SW sought a second opinion from Albanna's former partner, Dr. Greg Bailey, who told SW that the surgery had been unnecessary.