Chronic Pain

Laser Spine Institute IN FLA, will look at your most recent MRI report for free. They appear to be a great facility. I found out that I am a candidate for the removal of excessive scar tissue with their laser. In addition, they can remove bone spurs and even take out the screws from my fusion because they are supposedly no longer needed after 18 months. The latter is what concerns me. I don't want someone else "undoing" what my surgeon did. I consulted with my surgeon's assistant and she stated that he does not remove the screws unless they start to come or unless the person has been in an auto accident for example. If anyone has been to this facility, I welcome your insight!!!

SOBLEST

I had a nightmare experience with Laser Spine Institute. Dr. Craig Wolff appeared impaired to me when he operated on my spine at LSI in February 2009. He tore my spinal cord (dura) causing spinal fluid to leak into my body cavity after operating on a level not indicated in the initial examination and surgery order. Sent me to a hotel room to recover. I am in unspeakable pain now. I wondered if Craig Wolff was under the influence when he practiced on me, so on a hunch, I looked up arrest records in Hillsborough County where he practices. Sure enough, he was arrested for driving under the influence about three weeks after my surgery. RUN - don't walk away.(while you still can).
http://www.hcso.tampa.fl.us/pub/default.as p?/Online/qdisp/bn=09012378

Hello Herb,
I thought that my reply appeared a couple of weeks ago, but when checking CPC tonight, apparently it didn't post. I am so sorry to hear what happened to you. That doctor should definitely be held accountable for what he did to you. I hope that you are able to take some legal action against him. Only then will you able to find some small comfort. Not that it matters now, but did you seek a second opinion about LSI's recommendations? I went to UVA and CLeveland Clinic both to check them out. The UVA doctor said that he could remove the hardware and scar tissue (not with a laser though. In his report to my surgeon here though, he wrote that he felt that this surgery would not help me at all! He didn't tell me that though! Why in the world would I go through such a horrific surgery for nothing!!! I would have never known this if I had not signed for a release of his report!! I then went to Cleveland Clinic for a third opinion and they said absolutely NO surgery to remove the hardware (which is what my original surgeon said to begin with)! They did not recommend LSI either. I hope that you can stop this doctor from ruining other patients. We have a similar situation with another doctor who practiced here in WV. He has since changed his name and is in another state doing surgeries, continuing to mangle people. I don't know why this man is allowed to still practice. He has multiple law suits against him. It's just not right.

I will keep you in my prayers and hopefully you will find an end to your pain. Thank you for writing me. I never went to LSI. Maybe your comments (and mine) will save others from going!