Frustrated..

[Mark Kim]

Just got back from the Neurologist, getting a EMG and NCV study done. The neurologist found that scar tissue at the s1 is causing the sciatic pain down my leg and in my back. He said that everytime I move a certain way, the scar tissue is pressing on that nerve. Also, I have minor nerve damage as well. He prescribed neurotin and wanted to see if this would help my pain out. I was wondering, in cases like this, what are my options. I have heard that it is difficult to remove scar tissue because it can create more scar tissue. Also, he said it would take a lot of time to heal but its already been two years since the microdisektomy. I was wondering, is ADR of fusion possible to help with this problem.

[Mark Kim]

For those that have been asking about Dr. Filler, I recently went to visit him. The doctor and his staff are very kind and spend quality time with their patients. The doctor answered all my questions. Basically, Dr. Filler said that if scar tissue is causing your pain that he can go in there and remove it. He stated that the chances of more scar tissue growing are not true. It's just luck or bad luck if the scar tissue causes pain. Also, the doctor has sent me to get a MRN (which he patented to detect if its scar tissue causing the pain or something else. He developed a type of MRI machine that can see more than the standard MRI.) I will post the results of what he says in our follow up exam. Anyone else go and see this doctor here?

[Harrison]

Mark, did you already see the Q & A I did with Dr Filler quite some time ago? See the Cutting Edge forum.

And thanks for sharing! I look forward to hear more from you and others.

[Harrison]

Mark, some folks here have good luck with enzymes for scar tissue reduction (see the FAQ on this too). Some of these enzymes are incredibly strong and may create drastic changes in the body, including scar tissue reduction. Research it carefully.

Maybe some other folks here can chime in with their thoughts and experiences...

[Rosie]

Hi Mark, yes Richard is right about these enzymes. I did not believe it myself until I tried them and unfortunately with my nerve damaged it did give me more pain but got my stomach reduced and the numbness around the surgical site went away. I have more feeling now. You could PM me if you wish.

[Mark Kim]

but just wanted to get some feedback about my situation. I have been dealing with low back pain for about 10 years. I had surgery in 2006 that was unsuccessful. It was a microlumbar disectomy that got rid of the inconitence but the leg pain still remains. My surgeon Dr. Watkins Sr. who i recently visited is suggesting a ALIF fusion which scares the heck out of me. According to him, i am not a canidate for the ADR to still having inflammation in my area and the hypermobility the ADR would allow would not be good for my back. I am going back to LA in May to seek other opinions. I have made appointments with Dr. Bray, Dr. Lauryssen, and Dr. J Patrick Johnson. I have seen a lot of doctors here in NY and have been told that they wont even operate on my spine. Has anyone had good experience with these doctors in terms of their diagnostic skills?

[Harrison]

Hey Mark,

You may have seen this post already:

ADR Risks, Complications, Disqualifications

Please read it again if it's been a while. You are right; if you're not properly indicated for ADR then you are asking for trouble! These docs you mention have also been the doctors for many wtihin this community. If you don't hear from anyone, you can also search by these doctors' names, then PM the members.

Please note: I merged this topic with some of your older ones, so we could better understand your spinal situation. I noted that you had facet arthritis several years ago, along with the issues you identified recently. These are potentially serious contraindications.

Mark, have you seen any professionals from other medical fields that may be able to diagnose the cause of the inflammation?

[Mark Kim]

every doctor imaginable. I dont actually have facet arthritis, what they did find out in the latest mylegram is that i have no disc herniation, the facet joints are great, and no impingement on the nerve. The way it was explained to me why i continue to have nerve pain is that there is a tear in my disc and it is leaking into my epidural space. Also, the structure of the disc where i had surgery continues to produce inflammation that sends it down the nerve. I think I am stating this correctly. This was what Watkins Sr. told me and thats why he recommended the ALIF. He said that in cases where the microdisectomy failed, ALIF was invented to correct these procedures.

[LBP]

Well my socal surgeon was Dr. Westerlund and he moved to Georgia. I liked him a lot. He was good about talking about all the options out there without feeling like he was a salesman for one product or company.

I had annular tears and the fluid leakage caused low back pain and radiating pain down to heels. I've had some issues post ADR surgery but I don't think it's because I had a bad surgeon.

Sorry I cannot comment on the specific docs you mentioned. You may have better luck searching for people who saw those docs and emailing or pm'ing them directly.

[kimmers]

Mark Kim,

Just wondering. Why does Dr. Watkins Sr. not want to do ADR?
What is your contraindication?


Kimmers