Succes rate: 1 level vs. 3 level

[Judi]

What's the difference in success rates between a 1 level and a 3 level? Is a 3level really no big deal?

[Alastair]

A 3 level is a HUGE surgery and is a BIG DEAL

[tegilman]

Yes indeed, a 3 level ADR is a major procedure. The choice of surgeon, the timing of surgery, and the medical facility are some of the factors to consider when going for a 3 level ADR.

It took me about 4 months of research to decide who would do my 3 level ADR back in Aug. 2003. The surgeon with the most experience in these procedures is Dr. Bertagnoli, and that is why I selected him as my surgeon.

As for life after a 3 level ADR, I am back to work, pulling my hair out. I am very happy with my results.

Good luck.
Thelma

For those who have not yet had ADR, I'm not sure they really know how big a deal it is. I had a 1-level. It wasnt the surgery that was as much a big deal as the 1-year aftermath beyond.

[Ksrowd]

I think one of the biggest problems out there right now is the fact that people seem to think that ADR is a not as serious as fusion. It is still reconstructive back surgery and your body still need a significant amount of time to heal. I think many people try to do too much right after their surgery. Another reality of any surgery is that sometimes they do not work or solve the problem. I have to believe the success rate of ADR is at least equal to that of fusion. The bottom line is an back surgery is major surgery and there are no guarantees.
Kevin

[chuxk79]

Judi
I had a 3 level with Dr. Bertagnoli on 1/17 05
L2/3 L3/4 L4/5 I'm doing great so far, it takes
time to recover as you will read in many posts on this website but do your research, you can find about all the info here with links to other sites with animated and real surgeries to view.It is a serious surgery but as far as surgeons, Dr. B
is the one whos hands I would place my life in.

Good Luck Chuck D

[Melody Beattie]

I really underestimed how big a deal a two-level was. I cannot imagine how big a three-level would be -- the surgery and healing process. From what I have read, the intensity increases with each additional disc.

[Thomas]

Thank you for the "reality check" folks. Tthese discussions are not what I wanted to hear, but what I NEEDED to hear. For those of us who will need the 3 level ADR it is important we fully understand that we will be challenged much greater than the one level ADR folks and we should anticipate a slower and more difficult recovery. We need to temper our expectations and not base them on the comments we read from the one level ADR folks.
These discussions have reinforced to me, that my 3 level ADR will be deferred until I no longer can deal with the pain or I am told I am doing further damage by waiting .

I hope to have my MRI etc submitted to Dr. B and others through global patient network in the near future .
We almost need a seperate support group within this discussion board for existing and future 3 level ADR folks. Right now 3 level ADR submittals are fragmented within this discussion board.

[JeffreyD]

"Success" is a subjective word. Speaking for myself, I am thrilled beyond measure to be able to put on my shoes and socks. I'm ecstatic that every time I bend forward my back doesn't go into spastic episodes where I am left bedridden for 2 weeks. I am moved to tears that I have an intimate life with my wife again.
I think that if a person's back is actually bad enough to honestly need a three level prosthesis operation, they have a far different idea of what success is than the person who needs a one-level so they can get back to their freestyle motocross career.

Jeff

Now, all you freestyle motocrossers chill.....I just used that profession to illustrate my point.

[Alastair]

Jeff I couldn`t have put this better - - -you have hit the nail on the head