New Member Looking for References/Advice

[Chris Tott]

I am 53 and injured my back skiing 30 years ago. In March of 2007 the pain became so bad that I had micro-disc surgery on S1-L5. Dr. Timothy Steege performed the surgery and noted that he found a 10mm piece of my herniated disc was torn and pushing on my nerve. At that time I was experiencing severe sciatica/pain in the lower back, gluts and down the left leg. After the surgery the pain stopped and I was doing well until just over 2 years ago when pain started coming back. I have reduced activity to the point that I am frustrated and I am looking around at my options for a long term solution. I have pain in my low back and gluts. Sometimes I get sciatica radiating down my left leg and little down the right side. After activity like mowing, gardening or vacuuming pain increases. Pain will subside if I lay down or do inversion.

I am currently looking at surgery options. Does anyone have any recommendations on any good ADR surgeons on the west coast, I live in the Seattle area. I am looking to get a good diagnosis and review all the options before choosing how to proceed. I have been to an orthopedic surgeon and he recommended that he would do a discectomy. I am concerned that this may just be another short term solution and would like to find a long term solution if possible. Thank you for your input.

Regards,

[Harrison]

Chris,

Welcome, I hope we can support in your next steps. Question: did the previous surgery remove most of the spinal disc? And now this area is collapsed? What does the imaging show? Did you get flexion-extension XRays yet?

Given the amount of time that has elapsed, it is possible that auto-fusion has started...

[FutureRobot]

Excuse my ignorance, but why would an ortho recommend a discectomy if auto-fusion has started?

There are plenty of people who are doing fine with two discectomies, so I would get plenty of opinions.

[Chris Tott]

Hi Harrison,

The previous surgery only removed the torn part of the disc that was pushing on the nerve. The doctor tells me that the disc is flattening. The MRI I had is from 2 years ago and the X-rays are from a year ago. I just looked at the X-rays and it looks like the S1-L5 is not fused but is narrowing. I can attach some images if the flexion and extension X-rays if that would be helpful.

Thanks,

[Harrison]

It's not always apparent from imaging is fusion has started. In my case, in 2004, I was already starting to fuse. If my surgery was delayed any longer, it might have been too late -- according to my surgeon.

It's possible the docs may want updated image studies. Ideally, they would be done in the last 3 months.

[Chris Tott]

Harrison,

Thanks, I will talk with my doctor about getting current X-rays and MRI to be sure of what my low back is doing.

I was looking on the site for a current list of ADR doctors and found two lists from 2004. I also found the following link:

Surgeons that specialize in the ProDisc are found here:
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1707.html
Are there any newer lists that you can send me or direct me to?

Thanks,