O.K... now what? - Page 4

ClassicZippo · #31 03-10-2007, 09:18 AM

Hi Rosie
Wow!Thanks for the info;I will certainly look into it.How long was your wait, first for consult and then for surgery?

ClassicZippo · #32 03-26-2007, 03:04 PM

Things are moving along. I finally heard from Pro-Spine, both from Dr. Fenk-Mayer and Anita.I had forwarded info to Alpha Klinik as well, and Dr. Frank has been really great, confirming he's received my emails and keeping me up-to-date with the evaluation. On Friday, he said that their expert, Dr. Bertagnoli would have to review my case and make the final decision as it is complex. Surprisingly, he said I have a "serious degeneration" at L1-L2 (which only stands to reason as I suffered a wedge compression fracture of the L1 back in 1989 when I was assaulted at work). I really have to wonder how 4 radiologists (x-rays, 2 MRI's, and a CT scan in the past couple years) and the surgeon I saw in November, missed it. I pulled my x-rays and viewed the MRI images again,sure enough I saw what Dr. Frank saw. I rec'd my Bone Density report and thank goodness,it is normal.I am waiting to hear from Dr. Roy and Dr. Jarzem in Quebec. If I can have surgery done in Quebec, OHIP will pay for it as it has been approved by Health Canada.However, I am preparing myself mentally for a trip to Germany as I want the best possible outcome (don't we all!).

rosedee · #33 03-26-2007, 04:08 PM

Hi,

I'm really interested to hear about the issue with your L1/2. My MRI shows degeneration and bulge at that level, which has been ignored by 2 specialists, despite me emphasising the problem/pain I can feel in my spine at that level. I have had a number of new symptoms in the last 2 years (after 30 years of problems lower down!) that only make sense with a new (higher) level involvement.

I also had a (very!) positive discography at this level. Yet the last consultant I saw for an opinion told me that my problem is only with L3/4 - his rationale being that "it's very uncommon for the disc to cause a problem at L1/2". When I tried to discuss it further, he expanded by saying "it's very rare". Not much of a clinical argument in my book!! But I wonder whether this may have something to do with people ignoring yours?

I'll be REALLY interested to know what is Dr. Bertagnoli's opinion of your L1/2 problem. (I'd hoped to get an opinion from him myself, but my last MRI is too old to be considered and its really expensive for me to get another one done now). My understanding is that it is anatomically very difficult to do ADR at that level. I'm currently looking at the options of fusion or more probably Dynesis at that level with the specialist who did my discogram and in whom I have the most confidence. I will probably have this done at the same time as ADR at L3/4.

ClassicZippo · #34 03-26-2007, 05:20 PM

Hi Rosedee
I am pretty anxious to hear from Dr. Bertagnoli. I have never had a discogram. The surgeon I saw in November said I had "mechanical low back with sciatica" and said any number of people who have no back pain have an MRI that looks like mine and that I am in a very small percent of the population who have pain. Long before my appointment, he had already labeled me as a low-level, non-surgical priority. I think a big part of the problem is universal healthcare. The wait to see a specialist is months if not years and patients are put through like cattle. All of my various reports since 2000 only focus on L4 - S1. I didn't know that ADR is difficult at the L1-L2 level. I guess I need to research this more.
Good luck to you and I will let you know the verdict when it's in.
Deb