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  #1  
Old 08-20-2019, 09:18 AM
bassrebel's Avatar
bassrebel bassrebel is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 9
Default New here... L5-S1/C5-6 candidate... plus a couple of questions :)

Hi guys!

First of all, I am happy to even be alive to be able to complain about my pain... not everyone is so lucky.

I was involved in a car accident in February where a Nissan Armada failed to yield the right of way and hit me head-on going at around 60mph (I was going around 50-55mph). You can see the pictures attached.

Because of that car accident, I ended up with two herniated discs (one lumbar and one cervical) and two bulged discs (cervical). I underwent Physical Therapy, chiropractic treatment, epidural/steroid injections, radiofrequency, more physical therapy/chiropractic treatment, and now ended up considering surgery as a real alternative.

Based on the MRI readings, the L5-S1 disc is dry (black inside) and there's a good deal of compression on it. The first surgeon wanted to close up the rupture in the disc with laser and inject stem cells, and then wait about a year just to see if it worked. The second surgeon suggested microdiscectomy, and just wait until the disc degenerates enough to warrant a bone fusion, which is a big no-no in my books. Now I'm seeking a third opinion, looking at ADR as a very possible solution.

The one problem I'm facing is that I'm doing through a Letter of Protection, and the few around my area that do it, don't work with LOP. I have considered Dr. Bertognoli, but the fact that he doesn't work with LOP makes it really hard. ANd I just wanted to get your opinions as to which doctors have you seen or been to that accept LOP. I don't mind traveling (even better if it's a fun city ).

But that is where I'm at today... looking for a center that will hopefully help me be as close as the person I was before this accident. I just want to do the things I used to do before... I'm a VERY active bass player, and enjoy regular exercise (running, weights, cycling). And because of this constant pain I can't even play bass sitting down.

Any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks!

.d
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  #2  
Old 08-20-2019, 12:51 PM
JackBauer JackBauer is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
Default

I think you will have trouble finding doctors that are interested in dealing with LOP's.
I'd instead consider physicians who are cheaper than Dr. B.
__________________
L4-L5 Broad Diffuse Bulge, mildly contacting left L5 nerve root
L5-S1 Broad Central Disc Protrusion mildly impinging left S1 nerve root
"Mild scoliosis of lumbar spine".
Four central disc protrusions in thoracic spine.

C5-C6, C6-C7 bulging, bone spurs. Imaging not looking good. Successful CP-ESP's placed in Oct 2019 by Dr. Desai.

Delayed lumbar surgery to work on bone density. Considering options now, some but minimal bone density improvement. Will only use LP-ESP.
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  #3  
Old 08-20-2019, 05:09 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 890
Default I agree with Jack

Dear bassrebel,
There aren't going to be any of the major ADR doctors you find here that will be able to accept an LOP.
We all had to prepay for our surgery 30 days prior.
Good luck in your search!
__________________
54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany

Last edited by Cheryl0331; 08-20-2019 at 05:10 PM. Reason: Spacing
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  #4  
Old 08-21-2019, 01:10 AM
bassrebel's Avatar
bassrebel bassrebel is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 9
Default

Thanks guys! Maybe we can convert this thread to one with information regarding surgeons willing to work with LOP!

So far I found one in Baton Rouge, LA, Dr. Rodriguez with the International Spine Institute. He claims he accepts LOP. I made an initial consult with him, sent the MRI’s and currently waiting on info.

There’s another one in Fr. Lauderdale, FL that also accepts LOP. Will circle back to him tomorrow and post my findings here

Thanks!
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  #5  
Old 08-21-2019, 06:15 AM
JackBauer JackBauer is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
Default

Just be careful with the disc you'd be getting here in the USA.
__________________
L4-L5 Broad Diffuse Bulge, mildly contacting left L5 nerve root
L5-S1 Broad Central Disc Protrusion mildly impinging left S1 nerve root
"Mild scoliosis of lumbar spine".
Four central disc protrusions in thoracic spine.

C5-C6, C6-C7 bulging, bone spurs. Imaging not looking good. Successful CP-ESP's placed in Oct 2019 by Dr. Desai.

Delayed lumbar surgery to work on bone density. Considering options now, some but minimal bone density improvement. Will only use LP-ESP.
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  #6  
Old 08-21-2019, 01:22 PM
bassrebel's Avatar
bassrebel bassrebel is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 9
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheryl0331 View Post
Dear bassrebel,
There aren't going to be any of the major ADR doctors you find here that will be able to accept an LOP.
We all had to prepay for our surgery 30 days prior.
Good luck in your search!
Quote:
Originally Posted by JackBauer View Post
Just be careful with the disc you'd be getting here in the USA.
I just spoke to them, they offer ProDisc
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  #7  
Old 08-21-2019, 01:27 PM
JackBauer JackBauer is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 92
Default

Understood - but my point was that the discs in the USA are not the latest generation... It seems each disc has its pros and cons.

But personally I would not want a ProDisc... Because of the overall design, as well as the end plate material. (Cobalt-chrome is not as inert in your body as titanium from what I've read)
__________________
L4-L5 Broad Diffuse Bulge, mildly contacting left L5 nerve root
L5-S1 Broad Central Disc Protrusion mildly impinging left S1 nerve root
"Mild scoliosis of lumbar spine".
Four central disc protrusions in thoracic spine.

C5-C6, C6-C7 bulging, bone spurs. Imaging not looking good. Successful CP-ESP's placed in Oct 2019 by Dr. Desai.

Delayed lumbar surgery to work on bone density. Considering options now, some but minimal bone density improvement. Will only use LP-ESP.
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  #8  
Old 08-21-2019, 04:25 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 890
Default So true!

Jack has a point there.
You dont want a disc that can keep you from getting MRI either.
There is a surgeon in Ft. Lauderdale that has scary reviews!
His patient coordinator was like a pushy car salesman. Tried to tell me stuff just to get me there. The disc took away so much bone, that you would have to fuse if it had to be revised.
__________________
54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany

Last edited by Cheryl0331; 08-21-2019 at 04:27 PM. Reason: PS
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  #9  
Old 08-22-2019, 09:04 AM
annapurna annapurna is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,668
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheryl0331 View Post
You dont want a disc that can keep you from getting MRI either.


You can get an MRI with a Prodisc; the area immediately adjacent to the ADR will be distorted in the image. For that matter all metal ADRs will have the same problem to a greater or lesser extent.
__________________
Laura - L5S1 Charitee
C5/6 and 6/7 Prodisc C
Facet problems L4-S1
General joint hypermobility

Jim - C4/5, C5/6, L4/5 disk bulges and facet damage, L4/5 disk tears, currently using regenerative medicine to address

"There are many Annapurnas in the lives of men" Maurice Herzog
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  #10  
Old 08-22-2019, 12:42 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 890
Default Correct

Even the Prestige is titanium.
But the design puts off a lot of artifact.
There is a surgeon in Florida still using the Byron too, when there are more advanced discs available.
__________________
54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany
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