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#1
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Time to choose...paella or schnitzel
Both Dr. Clavel and Dr. Bierstedt recommended ADR at L4/L5. I spoke with Dr. Clavel and liked him immediately. I haven't spoken with Dr Bierstedt yet, but his references online speak for themselves.
It seems I can't go wrong with either choice. I've been a risk taker my entire life, which is why my back is messed up in the first place. But I've never been so scared of anything as I am about back surgery. And selecting a doctor is turning out to be a brain-twisting decision. Part of why this is such a difficult decision is that there are numerous things going on in my low back, DDD being one of them. And I'm unsure if the disc is the primary problem, or if the facet joints and stenosis are equally as responsible for my pain. But both doctors believe that replacing the disc will help. Not necessarily eliminate my pain completely, but it should make a big difference. So at this point it's just a matter of pulling the trigger and scheduling the surgery. Damnit, this is a harder decision that I realized!
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- 20+ years of constant back pain - Sacralization (natural fusion) at L5/S1 - DDD at L4/L5 dating back to mid twenties - Torn ligaments in SI joint - PRP injections at SI joint - Tarlov cysts on sacrum - Lumbar stenosis - L4/L5 ADR Feb 25, 2014 with Dr. Bierstedt. http://iansroadback.blogspot.com |
#2
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The descion making process is the most difficult thing in all of this. The next will be planning the logistics of the trip. You can't make a mistake by going with either Bierstedt or Clavel IMHO. But, yes, it is a hard, gut wrenching, stomach turning descion to make. But when you make the descion you feel relief.
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#3
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Paella....I'll be happy to recommend where the best is in Barcelona
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2009-2011-multiple Rx-acupuncture-chiropractor- pt-2Nd Dr. Opinion= mri=ddd L4/L5 2010-steroid injection-facet injection- rhizotomy 2011-3rd Doctor opinion=mri=ddd L4/L5-pt- 4th Dr. Opinion=ADR 2012-5th & 6th Dr. Opionion=ADR Dexa Scan Metal Alergy Test May 17, 2012---L4/5 ADR, M6-L, Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spine Center |
#4
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Paella! All the food in Spain is fabulous!!
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50 year old female Rear-Ended in 2009 Disk rupture cervical 5-6 & 6-7 2 level M6 ADR, Dr. Clavel - Oct. 2012 Insurance paid Not a day goes by that without me whispering a silent "thank you" to Dr. Clavel Post Op 2+ years Cross Fit 3-5 times a week Running 5ks |
#5
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2Confused,
All food in Europe is fabulous. Europe has a strict non GMO policy. |
#6
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I spoke with Dr. Bierstedt today. He actually called me up. He dropped some serious knowledge on me and broke everything down concerning my films, my history and why he's certain my problems are discogenic related at L4/L5.
My decision just got a whole lot harder!
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- 20+ years of constant back pain - Sacralization (natural fusion) at L5/S1 - DDD at L4/L5 dating back to mid twenties - Torn ligaments in SI joint - PRP injections at SI joint - Tarlov cysts on sacrum - Lumbar stenosis - L4/L5 ADR Feb 25, 2014 with Dr. Bierstedt. http://iansroadback.blogspot.com |
#7
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Well Ian, you got two top surgeons to come to the same conclusion...i suppose it's a matter of picking which one you want to go with and getting it started ?
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2013 - MRI and CT scan....DDD L4-S1 left side (where my pain is) interarticularis pars fracture/defect with Spondylolithesis L5 over S1 with 2MM anterior displacement Feb. 2014 - Hybrid lumbar fusion(l5/S1), ADR(L4/L5)...2-level cervical ADR (C5/C6, C6/C7). Dr. Pablo Clavel of Quiron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain. All M6 implants (PEEK cage and plate from Medtronic at fusion level in lumbar.) SAME DAY OPERATION for both areas of the spine. |
#8
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Yep, time to get off the pot and choose. I've got an appt scheduled with a neurosurgeon at UCLA in a couple weeks to evaluate a couple other issues in my spine, so after I speak to him I'll make a decision regarding ADR.
It's funny, this feels like a life altering decision. And I've never been indecisive about anything before.
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- 20+ years of constant back pain - Sacralization (natural fusion) at L5/S1 - DDD at L4/L5 dating back to mid twenties - Torn ligaments in SI joint - PRP injections at SI joint - Tarlov cysts on sacrum - Lumbar stenosis - L4/L5 ADR Feb 25, 2014 with Dr. Bierstedt. http://iansroadback.blogspot.com |
#9
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True!! But I prefer the Spanish diet over the German! French or Italian works too! I love to visit the markets when in Europe - the produce looks and smells like it should! Yea, no GMO's!
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50 year old female Rear-Ended in 2009 Disk rupture cervical 5-6 & 6-7 2 level M6 ADR, Dr. Clavel - Oct. 2012 Insurance paid Not a day goes by that without me whispering a silent "thank you" to Dr. Clavel Post Op 2+ years Cross Fit 3-5 times a week Running 5ks |
#10
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Hi Ian,
It is a life-altering decision, part of the reason I haven't done anything yet, that and the lack of continuity in diagnosis. I also have sacralization in the lumbar, probably caused by an extra vertebrae. Anyway, I wont get into my history, but I would very much like to hear the "knowledge" or however you put it, that Dr. B dropped on you about the discogenic pain. Sorry so brief but I'm laying down trying to type and I don't want this to time out! Take care, Jen
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Jen C3 Bulge C4 Bulge C5 ruptured C6 Bulge 7/2011 epidural that caused a "fragment to present itself" 10/2011 C5-C6 Foraminotomy & removal of fragment Positive for left-sided Hoffman's reflex Effacement of anterior spinal artery |
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