New to Arthroplasty, have 6 bad discs - help please

[audiohere]

I was injured on the job because of a stupid mistake by another person, which in turn caused my spine injury. Since this injury, a half year ago, I have had an MRI, two sets of Cortisone injections, both cervical & lumbar, a Discogram in the lumbar area and CT scan which indicate I have disc protrusion at C4-C5 and disc bulges with tears at C5-C6 and C6-C7. In my lumbar area, the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 all have annular tears, protrusions/herniations with the L5-S1 touching some nerves in that area which may be the cause of the numbness I feel in both thighs.

I am a healthy mid 30’s male and since I was born, the only time I saw the inside of a hospital was early last year with an ape

I have been approved for Decompression & Fusion of L3, L4, L5 and S1 with Bone graft & Instrumentation. The surgeon I am seeing is well renowned for this procedure. He explained to me that the L3 cannot be replaced by a Charite and that ADR has a higher failure rate than fusion. He also explained that only one artificial disc can be used at a time which is contrary to what I have read on the internet. My biggest fear in having a fusion is that I will not have the full range of motion in my back. The surgeon also explained that if at a later time in my life, new technology is developed, I can have the metal strips, screws and bone removed and replaced with whatever newer procedure technology may have to offer. I have done much research concerning disc replacement however I can only locate one doctor in Houston that can replace only two. I am interested in hearing anyone’s thoughts pertaining to my situation and I’m open to travel if necessary.


Thanks in advance

[chasswen]

audiohere
may may want to sent films over to germany dr. Bertagnoli and also Dr. Zeegers. dr.b is at www.pro-spine.com
and just google dr. zeegers hes easy to find
both are experts in adr and difficult cases.
a friend of mine is 3 months out from a 4 level lumber adr with dr b and is doing very well.
chuck

[Kirk]

"He explained to me that the...ADR has a higher failure rate than fusion."

Wrong.

"He also explained that only one artificial disc can be used at a time which is contrary to what I have read on the internet."

Wrong again.

Originally posted by audiohere:
I was injured on the job because of a stupid mistake by another person, which in turn caused my spine injury. Since this injury, a half year ago, I have had an MRI, two sets of Cortisone injections, both cervical & lumbar, a Discogram in the lumbar area and CT scan which indicate I have disc protrusion at C4-C5 and disc bulges with tears at C5-C6 and C6-C7. In my lumbar area, the L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 all have annular tears, protrusions/herniations with the L5-S1 touching some nerves in that area which may be the cause of the numbness I feel in both thighs.

I am a healthy mid 30’s male and since I was born, the only time I saw the inside of a hospital was early last year with an ape

I have been approved for Decompression & Fusion of L3, L4, L5 and S1 with Bone graft & Instrumentation. The surgeon I am seeing is well renowned for this procedure. He explained to me that the L3 cannot be replaced by a Charite and that ADR has a higher failure rate than fusion. He also explained that only one artificial disc can be used at a time which is contrary to what I have read on the internet. My biggest fear in having a fusion is that I will not have the full range of motion in my back. The surgeon also explained that if at a later time in my life, new technology is developed, I can have the metal strips, screws and bone removed and replaced with whatever newer procedure technology may have to offer. I have done much research concerning disc replacement however I can only locate one doctor in Houston that can replace only two. I am interested in hearing anyone’s thoughts pertaining to my situation and I’m open to travel if necessary.


Thanks in advance

[Terry]

I have 4 artificial discs in my spine and am doing as well as can be expected. I turn 51 towards the end of this month and am 1 year 3 months out of surgery.

I think you have some more research to do. Don't jump in to anything right off the bat.

Terry Newton

[audiohere]

Well I thank you all for your input. I do not have much time to spare for two reasons. A) The pain killers I am taking are not killing my pain. I am kept awake at night, i struggle to walk, sit, stand, drive a vehicle or any typical activity most any one would do and B) My company will be requireing very shortly that I make a discission as to when I get the surgery done.
Has anyone heard of ADR in three consecutive discs? Doctors' names?

Thanks again

[Fortitudine]

ProSPine will do three levels

[Fortitudine]

Originally posted by Fortitudine:
ProSPine can do three levels

[CindyLou]

Yes, Pro-Spine will definitely do 3 levels, Dr. Bertagnoli. He did my 3 lumbar levels last April. If you put in the name Pro-Spine or Bertagnoli in the search, you should discover a wealth of information to peruse. Best of luck to you!

[audiohere]

Does anyone know if hospitals in Germany accept American Insurance? I do know that I have world wide coverage.
Also, my insurance is wanting the surgery code for artifical disc replacement which i have not located yet.
Thanks again, everyone, for all your help.

[Lisibug]

I had a C5-6 fusion and last March Dr. Bertagnoli put 3 ADRs above and below the fusion level. He has done up to 5 I believe - you can check it out on his website link Chuck gave you. Regarding U.S. docs who I know have performed ADR surgeries on people and I have not heard any bad reports - Rick Delamarter out of Santa Monica, CA and Dr. Reagan in Beverly Hills, CA. I would not consider TBI - have heard both good and bad stories from there. Sure wish you every success in trying to figure out which surgery is right for you, the doc... and ultimately, the results!