Mr Malik Kings College Hospital
Hi
.
Ive read your posts. Ive just made an appointment for my son to see Mr Malik next week.
I see there arent any who've had minimally invasive spine fusion with him but after reading about his training it seems he has gone tothe USA quite recently to be trained specifically for this surgery.
From what Ive read the UK is behind with minimally invasive surgery latest techniques.
Also it seems the incision should be no more than .50 cm with endiscope. Have also read some bad reports re laser but not sure about expert opinions.
I see there are quite a few testimonials for Martin Knight but notice his incisions are more than 1". Is he using the most up to date methods for endoscopic MISS ie smallest incision, short day procedure and 6 weeks recovery?? Can any of you tell me more about his methods?
I will ask Mr Malik the exact methods he uses, when and where he did his latest training and the results on those who've had this back surgery.
Pls tell me the most up to date facts you know.
Thank you.
sandune3
Hi
.
Ive read your posts. Ive just made an appointment for my son to see Mr Malik next week.I see there arent any who've had minimally invasive spine fusion with him but after reading about his training it seems he has gone tothe USA quite recently to be trained specifically for this surgery.
From what Ive read the UK is behind with minimally invasive surgery latest techniques.
Also it seems the incision should be no more than .50 cm with endiscope. Have also read some bad reports re laser but not sure about expert opinions.I see there are quite a few testimonials for Martin Knight but notice his incisions are more than 1". Is he using the most up to date methods for endoscopic MISS ie smallest incision, short day procedure and 6 weeks recovery?? Can any of you tell me more about his methods?
I will ask Mr Malik the exact methods he uses, when and where he did his latest training and the results on those who've had this back surgery.
Pls tell me the most up to date facts you know.
Thank you.
sandune3
incisions < 7mm = real minimally-invasive spine surgery (trough the endoscope)
incision 10-20mm = less invasive spinal surgery (trough the tubular retractor)
incision 1mm = laser spine surgery (trough the needle)
Most of Martin Knight's incisions are less than 7mm as he uses true state of the art minimally-invasive techniques like endoscopic and laser surgery.
I am reading BMI website, and honestly I can't believe what I am reading:
"Mr Malik's key area of expertise lies in keyhole endoscopic spine surgery; which he has pioneered at Kings' College Hospital. At present he is the only surgeon in the UK to offer this procedure."
Hiya sandune3.
I'm glad to see that you are doing your homework, rather than jumping straight in!
Good luck with your (Malik) consultation, but whatever you do, don't mention Mr. Knight's name. NHS Surgeons really 'cut up rough' at the very mention of it!!
I can't remember when or where, but i'm sure someone on this forum 'has' see Mr. Malik previously and found him good. Have a look around last years posts!!
Mr. Malik and Mr. Peter Hamlyn both of London, are the only other 2 Surgeons (apart from Mr. Knight) who 'openly advertise' Endoscopic Spine Surgery, and describe these MISS procedures correctly!
For my money, Mr. Martin Knight, is still the most experienced and best MISS Surgeon in Europe!!
Best wishes
SPINELF
Fusions, MKN past and present
Hi having been though a traditional fusion twenty or so years ago at L5/S1 some minimally invasive surgery under MKN and a very recent fusion at L4/5 I have to say that the traditional surgery has come on leaps and bounds in terms of my post operative experiance. Indeed surprisingly I feel the its not to far from the recovery from laproscopic surgery as I experianced it under MKN.
In my experiance its important to get a consultant who is prepared to take the time and to listen to you and to take you through the decision making process. Continuity also really helps which in my experiance I never got with the NHS. Sometimes the surgery works sometimes it simpley does not. For me the minimally invasive route did not work but nothing is 100% and I found MKN to be very good. Much better than my local center of spinal studies which had been messing me around for the best part of twenty years. If I had to do things over again and I had the resources I would certainly seek a consultation with MKN and look to using a technique that is minimally invasive. At least then you do less damage than going down the open route. But its about time the NHS provided its customer with a range of options and move on from the wait six months xray (non wieght bearing) 12 months, 18 months (MRI) .... and it will go away.
However, now (july 2012)I have had another open fusion / decomp and its really helped with my level of pain and stenosis. The nerve damage from my first fusion is still there along with the foot drop and it will stay there as its so long ago now. Being an open operation they were able to remove the screws from the first op which will help with MRI in the future.
Its a complex subject and every one of us is different but I hope my comments will be of use to someone.
B
(I initially posted this as a new thread but moved it here, probably pointless me starting another thread on the same subject!)
My first post so hi all, just to say thank you as reading some of the posts has given me confidence.
I have been suffering for over 5 years with "back trouble" which culminated in a disc herniation 18 months ago. I initially had excruciating sciatica 10/10 in my left leg which seemed to repair itself with help from Osteopaths over 3 months, then the disc bulged again and I have been plagued with sciatica in my other leg ever since. 🙁
This now flares in episodes where at best I am fairly ok with just a stiff back in the morning and mild sciatica tingling in my calf and at worst where I have 7/10 sciatic pain with poor right leg mobility (better defined as weakness perhaps?). Driving, walking or taking plane flights on business becomes a real problem when one can hardly walk - this is my real problem.
To cut a long story short.... The conservative methods have not been the long term fix so I am considering surgery after this weekends MRI scans showing further disc protrusion (same disc). I have done all my research homework and the Laser MISS procedures seem the most minimally invasive for a surgery first timer and with potentially the shortest recovery time and risks.
My GP only wanted to send me down the regular NHS route but I did not want to risk a "try it and see" type of operation. I really like Martin Knight's Spinal Probing & Discography theory where my symptoms can be pin pointed before the main surgery.
I will have to self fund which isn't cheap! But if it works it will be an investment into future earning potential, if I cannot travel then I cannot continue my chosen career. Scary stuff.
I have my consultation with Martin Knight next Thursday and have an operation date penciled in for early May, assuming my condition is suitable. I really hope he can help me, I just want my life back - I sure a lot of you know what I mean.
I would be very interested in hearing opinions from any other of Martin Knight's patients.
Thanks in advance and good luck to all fellow back sufferers 😉
disc ops by dr m. knight
hello matrick, have you had your op with dr martin knight yet?. how did it go, hope you dont mind me asking?. i hope it went well if you have.:). i too would like to hear from anyone who has had operations by dr knight, private or nhs funded, good or not so good experience,from start to finish,has the spinal foundation hospital in rochdale,lancashire, closed down now?
thankyou to anyone who reads this,
daveyam
Hi Dave
Yes, I had my operation Tuesday last week 🙂
The whole experience from start to finish was brilliant. It was my first operation and if I'm honest I was terrified but didn't need to be. Dr Knights team and the team at the BMI Weymouth hospital were first class and I really felt looked after.
Dr Knight's surgery method is performed in a "partially aware" state, I was conscious throughout the whole procedure - from the spinal probing and discography (the diagnostic part) through to the actual TELDF surgery. You honestly have nothing to fear here, yes you can feel certain parts, the probing, the laser etc. but they are not painful at all. You don't feel any cuts or the endoscope going in. In a weird way I actually enjoyed the surgery experience, I was fascinated, particularly through the spinal probing. I certainly remember feeling the laser, it was like pulses from a TENS machine if anyone has used one for pain control - basically little sharp pulses so nothing to fear.
Nine days have passed and I honestly haven't felt this good in nearly two years! I appreciate that I may get a worse flare anytime now but since the surgery I have a little intermittent sciatic tingling below the knee (pain level 1 or 2) and back pain (pain level 1, perhaps 2 or 3 once or twice first thing in the morning which drops back down after I move around).
I walked out of the hospital the day after the operation, probably a bit like Bambi ! due to feeling a bit fragile yet I still managed to stick with the roughly 20 minutes sitting then 20 minutes pottering around the house routine. I am now walking quite confidently, albeit a little slower than normal, but I no longer have a limp or any major weakness in my problem right leg. To be honest I was walking around the house confidently on day three post op. I will be religiously sticking to the regime and taking things very easy for the next five weeks, I do not want to undo the good work - common sense here.
After leaving hospital I still feel that I still have a full support network. I have a direct line 24 hour number for the BMI hospital nurses which is great, for example I needed to ask a question about the medication at 11PM one night! Also Dr Knight's Practice Manager, Jenny Jago, has already followed up with a phone call and email checking how I am doing.
I guess it's too early to say what percentage success level the whole thing has been, but even if the symptoms get no better than now then I will be very satisfied. It feels like a major life improvement already.
Yes I had to fund around £10500, but it appears to be the best £10K I have ever spent (not that I make a habit of spending such sums of money!!!). So far it seems worth every penny.
In my opinion Dr Knight is a first class surgeon, who knows his subject and who knows how to work with patients with empathy. I couldn't recommend him enough 🙂
That's my anecdotal evidence so far and based on that Dave I would say "Go for it" 🙂
I hope this helps in your decision, either way.
Regards
Matt
matricks op. by dr m.knight.
hi matrick,
im so glad your op by dr knight has gone well for you!. :). did you have your op. ?. theres highfield hospital (spinal fonndation) in rochdale that dr knight used to perform operations at but i think its closed down and moved down south, if anyone reading this knows i would be very grateful for an answer:). in the meantime i hope your recovery, matrick, is a speedy one!. keep in touch if you want to, good health to you!
dave.
Thanks Dave
I had my operation at the BMI Weymouth hospital in London. The easiest way to get your answer as to where else he operates is to contact Jenny Jago his practice manager:
" Patients can contact Jenny Jago through 01580 388 310 or by email to jago@spinal-foundation.org "
Good luck with it
Matt
Hi Dave
Try contacting the spinal foundation from their website, you can get a fast answer by email as to where they are operating 😉
Regards
Matt
dr knight op.
hi matrick,
sorry for the long delay, how are you doing after your op?. hows the pain situation?. thanks for the info in your last reply. i have been for a scan, 12 days ago, at my local hospital and am waiting for the results, they dont rush do they?, my gp rings them daily, i even rang them and was told that the doctors flit between doing operations and looking at scans, great, i wont hold my breath then:confused:. i cant afford to go private:( otherwise i would!!. hope you are doing well!.:)
all the best, dave
Hi Dave
Three weeks in and I haven't felt so good in a long while. My pain levels are 1 out of 10 for 99% of the time, occasionally getting to a 2 or 3 first thing in the morning - I have been very lucky so far.
The hardest thing is to remember that I have just had a serious operation, because it really doesn't feel like it!
Best of luck with yours 🙂
spinal op, martin knight
hi matrick, yes of course you must remember youve had a serious operation, dont overdo it. ive been trying to get in touch with anyone on this forum thats had an op with dr knight and their experiences because ive actually had 2 ops by him in the late 90s, i wont tell you how they turned out or my experiences at the moment. you are doing great, carry on with your great recovery process 🙂
daveyam
Thanks Dave, good advice 🙂