Referred Pain Goes w/ ADR?

[Nvmbr]

Hello-

I've

[Terry]

It's difficult to answer your question adequately.

ADR surgery sometimes causes facet degeneration that was not present prior to surgery. That has happened for some who post here. Look up Blair for a case in point. Also it may magnify problems if some facet arthritis was present prior to surgery.

Not all pains are eliminated by any surgery and some new pains may become evident.

When I had a hemi-laminectomy at Mayo Clinic in 1995 it destabilized the vertebral column and causes pains from time to time and also muscle soreness when I over push it.

I am almost 10 months out from 4 level ADR surgery and have had two sets of nerve block injections. This particular surgery can involve a long recovery period though some have bounced back quickly.

I would also advise going in to surgery in as good of condition as possible. If a smoker; quit. If heavy; slim up. Diet and exercise play an important part in the healing.

I was amazed when I went to Germany for surgery. All of them were shelling thousands out of their pockets for their surgeries. Then my wife and I would watch them standing outside with an I.V. attached and smoking cigarettes. That really interferes in the healing process.

I probably did not answer your question well but I encourage you to research further. There is a lot of information and experience here.

Good-Luck.

Terry Newton

[Harrison]

Nvmbr, you raise a very good question! I think you need to work with your doctor to try to answer this question. Unfortunately, I have a questions for you and no answers:

1. What insurance company do you have? Two level approvals are quite rare.

2. Did you review your imaging studies with your doc, and in particular, your facets?

3. What artificial discs is your doc trained in, how long has he/she been performing these surgeries?

PS: When you get a chance, please insert a signature (see welcome mail) and update your profile to include a location.

Thanks!

[Nvmbr]

I was approved for 2 through WC. We have gone over films, but he has not had to mention facets to me. I've had facet blocks and RF in the past. My surgeon does charite & prodiscs - over 50.

[Nvmbr]

I looked at my MRI films - it states I have 'hypoplastic facets,' but at S1-S2, below the to-be ADRs. It states all other facets look normal.