SJ - the Charite' is not being manufactured anymore... some docs still have some, others don't and/or have switched to the Prodisc b/c it's the only one being made and FDA approved. supposedly it's being replaced by the In-Motion disc, but i haven't found much on it searching the net.
i have a few questions that might guide your analysis of your symptoms:
1. did the steroid injections resolve all/most of your symptoms?
2. were they epidural or facet injections?
3. do you have a lot of pain w/ sitting/coughing? those 2 things are fairly specific for discogenic pain. facet pain is usually more constant, worse w/ lumbar spine extension (leaning back).
4. if you had facet changes in '03, they probably are at least as bad now. did they comment on your facets in your more recent MRI?
as i usually mention... i am a doc but not a spine doc... but being a fellow spine pain sufferer, i have done a lot of reading on my own and have had discogenic and (briefly) facet pain (my brief facet pain was while i was in an LS brace after biacuplasty - pain doc said it was from being locked in extension. no mri evidence of facet dz, pain completely resolved when i took out the larger/more restrictive/harder part of the brace).
my completely nonscientific review of post-op outcomes makes me think that SOME people who had unsatisfactory outcomes had/have another pain generator. you will see that Harrison often pipes in and asks about pain generators - i think this is why. if you have problems beyond 1 disc and have an ADR at 1 level - whether it is the wrong level or not enough levels - then replacing 1 level isn't the right solution.
you may have to be very persistent to get your doc to outline where they think your various sx are coming from. from my experience, having pain and trying to carve out a normal existence (ie work on your feet for 10 hrs) causes all kinds of leg muscle soreness, b/c of gait changes. you may have to see a pain specialist in addition to your surgeon to take another look at your workup and symptoms before committing to a plan.
also, make sure you review your MRI with your surgeon and/or pain doc. radiologists vary widely in what they call, and they do not have the benefit of having the patient in front of them.
__________________
US non-spine MD - laid up no more!!!
had recurrent annular tear L5/S1, failed everything
M6L done 10/19/11 w/ Dr Clavel  getting back to my old self more and more every week!
laidupdoc@gmail.com if my PM box is full
The content herein represents my professional thought and opinions in a general sense only; they do not constitute professional advice or services. if you need medical advice, please consult a licensed physician.
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