Do $$ affect treatment choice?
I had another thought on this topic. IF those surgeon fees are typical for fusion and my expenses are typical for single level ADR, where is the incentive for a surgeon to go to the trouble of learning the new technique and using it where appropriate? I know that it's all supposed to be in the best interest of the patient, but let's be honest, learning a new surgical technique takes time and money. If it will replace something you've been doing for many years and does so at less than 25% of what you receive while taking just as long to perform, who's going to adopt it?
I don't have the answers, just most of the questions.
And Jack, multivitamins usually contain 400 iu of vitamin D3. Just as an example, my physicians recommended 8,000 iu/day. Of course, I haven't seen sunshine here since November, and I was having a surprising number of unusual symptoms, so my dose was based on that. You can always get tested first to help with dosage.
-tc-
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L5-S1 rupture 11/04, left leg pain for 2 wks
Regular exercise/pain-free until 2007
L5-S1 degen. disease w/constant pain since 6/07
PT, ESI, SI jt injections, 3-level nerve root inj. x 2
Massage, heat, ice, TENS, etc
L5-S1 Charite Jan. 19th, 2009, very happy w/decision
New back pain in upper back though.
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