New here... L5-S1/C5-6 candidate... plus a couple of questions :)
 

Hi guys!

First of all, I am happy to even be alive to be able to complain about my pain... not everyone is so lucky.

I was involved in a car accident in February where a Nissan Armada failed to yield the right of way and hit me head-on going at around 60mph (I was going around 50-55mph). You can see the pictures attached.

Because of that car accident, I ended up with two herniated discs (one lumbar and one cervical) and two bulged discs (cervical). I underwent Physical Therapy, chiropractic treatment, epidural/steroid injections, radiofrequency, more physical therapy/chiropractic treatment, and now ended up considering surgery as a real alternative.

Based on the MRI readings, the L5-S1 disc is dry (black inside) and there's a good deal of compression on it. The first surgeon wanted to close up the rupture in the disc with laser and inject stem cells, and then wait about a year just to see if it worked. The second surgeon suggested microdiscectomy, and just wait until the disc degenerates enough to warrant a bone fusion, which is a big no-no in my books. Now I'm seeking a third opinion, looking at ADR as a very possible solution.

The one problem I'm facing is that I'm doing through a Letter of Protection, and the few around my area that do it, don't work with LOP. I have considered Dr. Bertognoli, but the fact that he doesn't work with LOP makes it really hard. ANd I just wanted to get your opinions as to which doctors have you seen or been to that accept LOP. I don't mind traveling (even better if it's a fun city :jump:).

But that is where I'm at today... looking for a center that will hopefully help me be as close as the person I was before this accident. I just want to do the things I used to do before... I'm a VERY active bass player, and enjoy regular exercise (running, weights, cycling). And because of this constant pain I can't even play bass sitting down.

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks!

.d

I think you will have trouble finding doctors that are interested in dealing with LOP's.
I'd instead consider physicians who are cheaper than Dr. B.

I agree with Jack
 

Dear bassrebel,
There aren't going to be any of the major ADR doctors you find here that will be able to accept an LOP.
We all had to prepay for our surgery 30 days prior.
Good luck in your search!

Thanks guys! Maybe we can convert this thread to one with information regarding surgeons willing to work with LOP!

So far I found one in Baton Rouge, LA, Dr. Rodriguez with the International Spine Institute. He claims he accepts LOP. I made an initial consult with him, sent the MRI’s and currently waiting on info.

There’s another one in Fr. Lauderdale, FL that also accepts LOP. Will circle back to him tomorrow and post my findings here

Thanks!

Just be careful with the disc you'd be getting here in the USA.

I just spoke to them, they offer ProDisc

Understood - but my point was that the discs in the USA are not the latest generation... It seems each disc has its pros and cons.

But personally I would not want a ProDisc... Because of the overall design, as well as the end plate material. (Cobalt-chrome is not as inert in your body as titanium from what I've read)

So true!
 

Jack has a point there.
You dont want a disc that can keep you from getting MRI either.
There is a surgeon in Ft. Lauderdale that has scary reviews!
His patient coordinator was like a pushy car salesman. Tried to tell me stuff just to get me there. The disc took away so much bone, that you would have to fuse if it had to be revised.

You can get an MRI with a Prodisc; the area immediately adjacent to the ADR will be distorted in the image. For that matter all metal ADRs will have the same problem to a greater or lesser extent.

Correct
 

Even the Prestige is titanium.
But the design puts off a lot of artifact.
There is a surgeon in Florida still using the Byron too, when there are more advanced discs available.

So based on the comments here... ProDisc is a good or a not-so-good disc replacement?

It's one of the few discs approved in the USA.


But in Europe, surgeons are moving to elastomer based discs for a reason. I tend to think no one is moving TO the ProDisc.



I'm sure it was a good disc for that era, but for a number of reasons I'd have no part of that disc in my body.

Thank you for your response!

What exactly does it make it a bad artificial disc?

1) Three degrees of freedom (versus 6 with LP-ESP)
2) Made of cobalt-chrome end plates instead of titanium
3) Keel design may help keep in place initially, but I would prefer not to have A-P slices made in my vertebrae. (Especially since I need two levels and would therefore have a keep cut on both sides of my L5 vertebrae)
4) Wear rates (debris ejected)... (Although the ESP and other elastomer discs will leach out some plastic chemicals over time and it is a legitimate concern in my opinion - but we already digest so much plastics that get into our food supply so not sure it's worth obsessing over.)


As far as the major ADR surgeons in Europe - most have implanted the ProDisc I imagine at one time or another. But they've moved on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKaZYjXgsBc


Just one example.

Jack hit the mark again
 

Perhaps all I can say about the Prodisc is it's better than a fusion.....at first.

Fair enough... even though I've seen stories of active people still thriving on ProDisc-L for 10 years and counting, I will do my due diligence and look for alternative and decide by myself.

I will call Dr. Rolando Garcia to inquire about Activ-L and see how it goes from there.

Unfortunately doing my procedure in the US is the only option for me, unless someone feels like paying for my treatment in Europe. It is the sad reality that we live in... beggers can't be choosers and I know that even in the US, this procedure will be life-changing for me.

Thanks for all the good info! :)

M6 is approved in US
 

The M6C or L are approved in the US now for single level.
But the correct size and placement is key
I like that Dr. Clavel used the bone wax too!

The current generation ProDisc C has a smaller keel that does not remove as much bone material from the vertibra. But not FDA approved if I understand it correctly. I had the flexible core CP-ESP for my cervical spine, still considering the ProDisc C for my upcoming lumbar work.