Hi Futurerobot
Thanks for your feedback.
Yes largely asymptomatic but L5-S1 is down to 7mm with a small vacuum phenomenon. I wont go ADR at that level - if an ADR goes wrong it seems from what I have seen and heard, that it will go wrong at that level because of shearing forces and variable lordosis angles [makes placement just so critical]. That's obviously only my personal view and there a great many successes of course but not going to do it. If I fuse that level then I will have to do something about the level above which is dessicated but still fairly stable and 11mm in thickness. I have been contemplating fusion then just leaving L4/L5 alone to see what happens - not sure about this just yet hence exploring options
There are two surgeons in Australia that still implant the XL TDR, one is a butcher and I'm no chance of going there, the other has had a few patients with good follow up stories at the 12 month mark. The theory is good but if there isn't a reasonable level of good outcomes I wont be going down that path
Thanks
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Lumbar DDD progressing for the last 15 years
Facet joints with mild arthrosis at L4/L5 and L5/S1
Two ESI's only too afraid to have more [causal link to arachnoiditis]
Otherwise suffered in pain on and off
Recently had stem cell treatment for facets which have improved markedly
Looking at hybrid solution in the coming months
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