2nd Microdiscectomy???

[back2lifeplease]

Hello all, yes another post from me. Can you tell that I am nervous yet? Harrison please don't kill me for posting so much.

So I just got off the phone from a neurosurgeon. He is a friend of a really good friend and I sent him over my images. He told me that he thinks that I should get another discectomy, and really work on my core strength. He isn't asking to do the surgery or anything, this was just his opinion. He said that ADR is better suited for people who have DDD and not people like me.

So now I am just so confused and scared. Do I do ADR or do I do another discectomy??? If i do a discectomy and it re herniates, I am screwed right?

I know it is ultimately my decision but would love some input from everyone. Thanks for listening.

Chris

[herron65]

Chris
It looks like you have had two surgeries already. I had the same issues, first was operation was at both levels then a redo at l4/5 and the about 6mo after it collapsed and both levels went south. My concerns would be the loss of disc night and scar tissues. I would have probly done a discectomy if it were an option for me but I was told that the whole mess had loss so much altitude that it was the bone touching the nerve not just the disc rupture. So if you can hold out with a discetomy as long as possible and take it easy and plan for a Adr surgery later. I wish I had started to plan after my last discectomy but hind site it much better than foresight
Good luck and look at all the options
Jeff

[back2lifeplease]

Originally Posted by herron65

Chris
It looks like you have had two surgeries already. I had the same issues, first was operation was at both levels then a redo at l4/5 and the about 6mo after it collapsed and both levels went south. My concerns would be the loss of disc night and scar tissues. I would have probly done a discectomy if it were an option for me but I was told that the whole mess had loss so much altitude that it was the bone touching the nerve not just the disc rupture. So if you can hold out with a discetomy as long as possible and take it easy and plan for a Adr surgery later. I wish I had started to plan after my last discectomy but hind site it much better than foresight
Good luck and look at all the options
Jeff

Jeff,

Thanks for the note and opinion, hopefully more will come. So my concern with what you are suggesting(not disagreeing, want an open discussion) is the Microdisectomy will probably fail eventually. And then I am looking at ADR with even less disc height, which could make that surgery worse or not possible, correct?

Thoughts....

Chris

[herron65]

Chris
Both of my discs were at a little under an 1/8 of an inch thick and I was told by a surgeon here that it was to collapsed for adr, that was before my redo said it would stretch the nerves and tendons. Then I came back when it all collapsed and he wanted to fuse it, so when they fuse it they have to open it back up and put a cage or some other form of spacer in the same place the disc was so I asked what the difference was between a cage / spacer and an ADR he had no reply other than the insurance company's would not pay for an Adr or if I did get it approved it would only be for 1 level and dues the other, then his assistant had some brightlight idea" why not get one at the worst level and get healed and then come back in a year and get the other done, I was so amazed that she was thinking it was a good idea to cut me open twice. That is when I made the choice to go over seas. Ok so much for venting when you need opinions. Any how ask your Adr surgeon what he feels he could do if you had another discectomy and ask about scar tissue
Keep hanging in there it gets better

[herron65]

Chris I forgot to add, I am not saying a discectomy will fail, but to have your backup plan in place if it does. Maybe a special IRA or some sort of savings account just for the surgery. I am still paying back loans for mine but when I am done I am starting a seperate fund for surgery in the event I need another one done or hwho knows a hip when I get old.
Ok take care
Jeff

[annapurna]

Multiple disectomies do tend to have problems. Chris, I can't remember the original problem that started everything for you but if you'll allow me to assume a traumatic injury to start with, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think you could take an otherwise healthy disc, trim a bit off and expect the remainder to heal and be happy. From that point, though, your disc didn't heal and become happy, it re-herniated. That suggests that the disc itself isn't healing completely and has failed to regain all of it's structural integrity. If you go through multiple traumatic injuries, that's a different story but even then, it's pretty far-fetched to think that you could continue trim bad bits from a disk and expect it to get better and fully healed each time.

I'd suggest you really push your local surgeon to understand what he plans to do to ensure you'll get the structural integrity you'll need to not get another re-herniation. He may have a very good and reasonable answer but you'll need to understand what that might be.

[Harrison]

Chris, this forum is for people like you. There's no penalty for posting!

You raise some good questions, I hope these other helpful posts provided some guidance and solace to you. Where are you at now that you've had some time to reflect on these posts?

I got your PM, sorry I can't reply for a bit. Talk to you later this week.

[back2lifeplease]

Just to recap, my disc herniated over time. No traumatic injury, as in car accident.

I really don't know. I guess my main concern with ADR is placement and facet issues. Also, can I do the things I used to do or want to do. Work out, swim, pilates, yoga, etc, etc

ADR seems just as permanent as fusion. Just scared that my life will be over if something goes wrong there.

[herron65]

Chris
I was a little concerned when I went for surgery and I think that is very normal and you are doing all you can in getting information to make the right choice for you. I was just happy to walk with out a limp and with out pain. My doctor has said in about a years time I could go.snowboarding again, I don't realy think my wife will let me but its an option. So if you can live with the risks then you can do what ever you want. I my self plan on biking and other less joint impacting activities because I am not ready to take that kind of risk again after so many years with back pain. But activity is going to be in my daily life when I get to 3mo post op and gradually build from there but I don't know about the halfpipe at Timberline yet.
Take care
Jeff

[back2lifeplease]

Jeff, After doing more research on this M6 disc, I really like it. Although it is new, I feel very comfortable with its design. I gave the Stenum facility a call to see what they thought of it, and they had good things to say. Thanks for your insight and help. I believe now I am going to go through with ADR with the M6 lumbar