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Old 03-01-2014, 11:01 AM
jaevans jaevans is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 3
Default Update - diagnosis and course of action

Greetings all,

Since I am retired military I have the option of using a military medical facility for treatment, especially since Tricare will not cover ADR. This past Thursday, I met with a neurosurgeon at Brooke Army Medical Center (part of the San Antonio Military Medical Center complex).

Since my symptoms of loss of strength and dexterity in my left hand are indicative of issues with the nerve at C6-C7, I am scheduled to receive a Globus Secure-C device in early April. I have disc bulging and osteophytes at C4-C5 and C5-C6 but they are not as severe as the osteophyte issues at C6-C7 and the doctor does not recommend treatment with those areas until they become symptomatic.

A posterior foraminotomy is an option I am not considering since the area affected is behind the affected nerve and hard to get to from the rear with the nerve obstructing access. The doctor also mentioned an anterior foraminotomy but this has the risk of damage to an artery leading to the brain with the possibility of causing a stroke. Removing the disk and working the osteophytes anteriorly is the best option in my opinion.

Further options down the road might be a fusion at C5-C6 and an ADR at C4-C5. Brooke does not like doing multiple levels of disc replacement since it can lead to instability in the c-spine but they have had great success with such hybrid surgeries.

Brooke likes to stay within FDA guidelines as much as possible and my surgeon is conservative on many topics. I am very comfortable with his experience and knowledge.

Again, no insurance charge to Tricare Prime will be incurred - this is why I am able to get an ADR without fighting insurance. I am also glad that Brooke was taking eligible patients outside of the local area, that they perform ADRs, and that they were willing to treat a retired military member. This may not always be the case due to workload, personnel resources, and funding.

I will report in the post-op section after surgery.

John
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C4-5 broad based disc bulge with prominent posterior osteophytes, narrowing of spinal canal and bilateral severe neural foramenal narrowing
C5-6 broad based disc bulge with prominent posterior osteophytes, and moderately severe bilateral neural foramenal narrowing
C6-7 mild broad based disc bulge, rather large left lateral posterior ostephyte and sever left neural foramenal narrowing
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