|
|
|||||||
| New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started. |
 |
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
#1
04-07-2017, 05:23 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Hello everyone
Hi there,
I joined this forum a couple of weeks ago so I could read the section that discussed results of surgery. Its been interesting reading the experiences others have gone through in their quest for a more pain free life. After having gone through a fusion myself in 1997 I swore off ever having another back surgery again and here I am about 20 years later ready to jump on the table, just too much damn pain. I was hoping an ADR would be solution, one that provide better results than a fusion. Having waited over a year to get into seeing the surgeon who did my fusion and still having another half year to go, I realized that I couldn't possibly wait that long so started reaching out overseas for options. A couple of days ago I received a response from Dr. Clavel stating that he was in agreement to an ADR at L4-L5, that was the best news I had heard in a long time. Today I heard from another surgeon, Dr. Ritter-Lang that because of the stenosis visible in my MRI, that getting an ADR was in complete contradiction to that condition and instead he recommends a Coflex by Paradigm at that level. I don't know right now to be happy about the concept of getting this Coflex ( never even heard that form of treatment before today ) or worried that the exact same information and images generated completely different diagnosis. Maybe this is the wrong forum to ask but does anyone have insight on the Coflex and it's success in relieving pain ? Anyway, thanks for listening. Regards, Doug
__________________
1980 - injured low back lifting free weights 2017 - many MRI's, CT's & X-rays later I had a anterior fusion on L5-S1 in 1997 and now have herniated discs at L4-L5 and C7-T1. Have exhausted all forms of conservative treatment including PT, RFA's , acupuncture etc .... now looking into surgical options for L4-L5 20 years after swearing against ever having another back surgery 
|
|
#2
04-07-2017, 09:55 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hi Doug,
Sorry you are here but you are among friends. When you get a chance, check out the advanced search feature: https://www.adrsupport.org/forums/search.php Search for Ritter Lang. You may be surprised. If you need a fusion, it will likely be covered here in the U.S. But I have been startled to see some rejections from this procedure that has been practiced for over 100 years!
__________________
"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
|
|
#3
04-07-2017, 10:51 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have spondy at 4-5, and completely gone 5-S1. Clavel said fusion was my only option at 4-5. I asked about dynamic stabilization systems like coflex. He didn't like what they do to your curve and doesn't use it. It is no surprise to get different opinions. Frustrating I know.
__________________
Pre Surgery: C3-C4:Mild disc osteophytes. Mild-moderate right facet arthrosis. Mild right foraminal stenosis. C4-C5:Midline central disc protrusion, significant. Mild canal stenosis. C5-C6:Moderate disc osteophytes. Mild-moderate canal stenosis. Moderate-severe bilateral foraminal stenosis. C6-C-7:Mild-moderate disc osteophytes. Mild canal stenosis. Moderate left and moderate-severe right foraminal stenosis. June 29,2016-3 level M6 (C4-C7) Dr. Clavel Barcelona
|
|
#4
04-08-2017, 01:28 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Hi Harrison and Joe, thanks very much and yes it's frustrating.
I went from a high a few days ago after getting the answer from Dr. Clavel that ADR was the best option for me to the low of hearing back from Dr Ritter-Lang that not only was ADR not the best route but was in " complete contradiction to the stenosis that he diagnosed. I've spent the last few months reading and watching success stories of people whose lives were changed after having an ADR ..... certainly haven't seen that about Corflex which the more I read sounds like another form of fusion, just in a different location of the spine. Regards, Doug
__________________
1980 - injured low back lifting free weights 2017 - many MRI's, CT's & X-rays later I had a anterior fusion on L5-S1 in 1997 and now have herniated discs at L4-L5 and C7-T1. Have exhausted all forms of conservative treatment including PT, RFA's , acupuncture etc .... now looking into surgical options for L4-L5 20 years after swearing against ever having another back surgery
|
|
#5
04-08-2017, 01:33 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Harrison,
I'm in Canada so could get the fusion covered here as well as ADR. The surgeon who did my fusion was the first doctor in Canada to do an ADR. The problem with our medical system is that seeing a specialist takes forever ..... I'd estimate to be 2 years from having an actual surgery here. I'd rather pay and have it done much sooner than that, can't see going that long that way things are right now. My question is this, does mild to moderate athrosis in the facet joints as well as stenosis sound like a deal breaker for ADR ? Many thanks, Doug
__________________
1980 - injured low back lifting free weights 2017 - many MRI's, CT's & X-rays later I had a anterior fusion on L5-S1 in 1997 and now have herniated discs at L4-L5 and C7-T1. Have exhausted all forms of conservative treatment including PT, RFA's , acupuncture etc .... now looking into surgical options for L4-L5 20 years after swearing against ever having another back surgery
|
|
| Bookmarks |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
