ADR w/ Fusion with DR. BLUMENTHAL at TEXAS BACK INSTITUTE

[valandguin]

Boy, am I glad I flew all the way out to Dallas to have the best spinal surgeon in the country perform my back surgery. I suppose I am a little biased, as I am sure there are a handful of top-of-the-line ADR surgeons. But I believe that the Texas Back Institute is the best place in the U.S. for serious back surgery...especially ADR surgery.

I have a long history of back problems, at only 37 years old and 139 lbs. I had a laminectomy at L5-S1 in 2008 and two spinal blocks since then. The laminectomy precluded me from having two-level ADR surgery, but the fusion at L5-S1 is just fine. I have an artificial disc at L4-L5, so this allows for more movement and helps prevent future degeneration at L3-L4.

I feel great only 6 weeks out and just started physical therapy today. I think I am going to be virtually pain free and lead a normal life!! YEA!! I can also have a second child now.

I am just so thankful to have been able to go to Dr. Blumenthal. Insurance paid for the fusion, but we had to pay around $21,000 to TBI and another couple grand for airline tickets, hotel, car rental, etc. It was a lot of money, but you can't put a price on getting your life back at only 37 years old with a two-year-old.

If anyone is looking for an ADR surgeon, Dr. Blumenthal is terrific. I have perfect placement and feel great for the first time in years! He has done thousands and trains many other spine surgeons around the country. Feel free to email me with any questions. I know these decisions are scary and hard to make. I researched surgeons for months and spoke to several before making my final decision. I'm just so glad I made the right one!

Valerie Carter

Prodisc ADR @ L4-L5 - 4-2-10 Texas Back Institute - Dr. Blumenthal
Anterior Fusion @ L5-S1 4-2-10
Discogram - 3/2010
2 Spinal Blocks
Several MRIs
A million X-Rays
10,000 Lortabs / Percocets
Herniation & Laminectomy @ L5-S1 - 2008
2 years of physical therapy

[Kerry F]

Hi Valerie,

I live here in Dallas and I definitely agree with your assessment of Dr. Blumenthal. He’s been nothing but caring and professional with me. I'm a 36 year old male with 4 mild herniations (as seen in my signature). While the herniations are mild, the pain they cause is off the chart. A discogram about 2 weeks ago on 4 levels (L2 – S1) showed intense pain at L3/L4 and ended with unspeakable pain at L5/S1. Dr. Blumenthal’s proposal is a fusion at L5/S1, a fusion at L4/L5, and an artificial disk at L3/L4.

Obviously, this is the biggest health decision I’ve ever been faced with. I want to explore my options before I take the plunge. I certainly don’t want to pester you, but I have a list of questions for you—that may help me with such a big decision. Here is what I’m curious about:

1) How did you choose Dr. Blumenthal? Who else were you considering?
2) Why did he suggest a hybrid surgery for you—fusion + a new disk?
3) Did he feel that 2 new disks would have been more effective (if insurance wasn’t interfering)? Incidentally, this is one of the questions I’m waiting on an answer for from my case manager… are the fusions in the mix because they’re the best solution, or easier to get approved by insurance (I have an Aetna PPO)?
4) Did you get to choose the hardware? Why Prodisc and not Charitee?
5) What were your concerns about the fusion (there’s so much negative press on them)?
6) Were there any minimally invasive options open to you before a more permanent procedure such as this, or did Dr. Blumenthal feel that it would just waste your time and money?
7) You mentioned that you had to pay $21K for the new disc out of pocket. Is that a pretty standard price? I’m wondering if given that Aetna might only cover one disk, could I just pay out of pocket for the one of the disks and have a fusion at L5/S1, and new disks at L4/L5 and L3/L4?

I’m sorry to pelt you with so many questions. I will gratefully accept answers to as many of these as you feel comfortable answering. It’s rare to be able to communicate with someone who had something very similar performed on them with the same doctor before making such an important decision. Anyway, congratulations on your surgery. It sounds like you made a great decision. Thanks for your time.

Kerry

[Jstuckey]

In my humble opinion, and from what I remember from my research - I don't think ADR is recommended for any type of listhesis. I don't have this condition though, so it's not permanently engrained in my memory. You might want to do some searches on that specifically regarding your L4-5 fusion vs ADR at that level.