I received a copy of my radiologist's report today to use for my appeal. The goal of my appeal is to demonstrate that I meet the indications as stated by the FDA, and one of those conditions is having DDD at only one level between L4-S1. Anyway, the report goes into great detail concerning all my problems at L5-S1, and then the guy says

"The remainder of the visualized levels are notable only for mild degenerative disc bulging L2-3 through L4-5."

What are the odds that somebody is gonna interpret this as DDD at multiple levels? The radiologist never mentions these discs in his "Impressions" section, and I have my physician's report that states that I have "80% disc collapse at L5-S1 - the other levels are pristine".

I'd just throw out the radiologist's report entirely, except it's the only evidence that I have < 3mm of spondylisthesis, which is also an FDA indication.

Opinions?

I have never had ADR and probably lots of people will be able to give you a better answer than me but my uneducated impression is that lots of people have bulging disks and it is no big deal. It will likely turn out to be a non-issue so hang in there.

Laura

Hi Stan,
It sounds like you got what you want L4/5 is the next one down from L5/S1 look at a spine diagram
Best
Alastair http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

Stan, it doesn't sound like you have much to worry about...but it doesn't matter what we think. Do have an experienced surgeon yet? What do they say?

Check out surgeons in your area -- insist on one with years of ADR experience:

http://www.adrsupport.org/content.asp?cid=182