Hello, New guy in pain

[Boxer78]

Zeegers did a full review and the m6 would have failed in a year???????

[stoked64]

Well I made the 5.5 hour trip to Charlotte NC last week to see Dr Coric from Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates. Upon arrival, it was obvious that this was a large practice, it turns out they are the largest Neurosurgery center in the US.

Dr Coric was very personal and spent almost an hour with me reviewing my MRI's and my medical history. In short this is his findings:

- He believes my leg pain is coming from one level (L4/5) and not 2 levels (local surgeon recommends 2 level fusion). He showed me how degenerative L4/L5 was and the disc is very narrow and lost most of the fluid (In short, the disc is spent).

- Dr Coric also would like to give it 3 more months to see if my nerves recover from my July surgery. He explained, nerves can recovery 1 MM per day, similar to the growth speed of the human hair.

- In 3 months he would like me to have another EMG and most likely I'm headed toward another CT milligram. He said the EMG would help determine if my nerve damage is permanent from my last surgery or is caused by an impingement (stenosis) problem.


- He also believes that because my primary pain (heavy dull pressure) is generally in my legs and not my back, I’m not a candidate for ADR and fusion would be his recommendation.

I’ll be making the trip back to Charlotte in May to have his staff perform the EMG. He prefers that his staff perform the procedure because he said EMG’s leave a lot of room for interpretation and his staff is in sync with him. I’ll keep the board posted as things progress.

[scoop302]

I would definitely let his staff do the tests. I had two EMG's done. One showed I had carpel tunnel in both wrists,the other showed I had permanent damage in my left arm, never to recover. The I had the surgery, and surprisingly, I don't appear to have permanent damage or carpel tunnel. And worst of all, both these idiots still got paid by the insurance company, the same company that wouldn't pay for my surgery. Go figure. It sounds like you found the doctor that you can relate to, and that is very important. I saw about 8 doctors before Dr. Clavel and I am glad I went all the way to Spain. In the end, the inconvenience won't matter and will be well worth it. Good luck and keep us updated.

[stoked64]

Moving thread to Arthroplasty Central forum.

[Karger]

Originally Posted by stoked64

Well I made the 5.5 hour trip to Charlotte NC last week to see Dr Coric from Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates. Upon arrival, it was obvious that this was a large practice, it turns out they are the largest Neurosurgery center in the US.

Dr Coric was very personal and spent almost an hour with me reviewing my MRI's and my medical history. In short this is his findings:

- He believes my leg pain is coming from one level (L4/5) and not 2 levels (local surgeon recommends 2 level fusion). He showed me how degenerative L4/L5 was and the disc is very narrow and lost most of the fluid (In short, the disc is spent).

- Dr Coric also would like to give it 3 more months to see if my nerves recover from my July surgery. He explained, nerves can recovery 1 MM per day, similar to the growth speed of the human hair.

- In 3 months he would like me to have another EMG and most likely I'm headed toward another CT milligram. He said the EMG would help determine if my nerve damage is permanent from my last surgery or is caused by an impingement (stenosis) problem.


- He also believes that because my primary pain (heavy dull pressure) is generally in my legs and not my back, I’m not a candidate for ADR and fusion would be his recommendation.

I’ll be making the trip back to Charlotte in May to have his staff perform the EMG. He prefers that his staff perform the procedure because he said EMG’s leave a lot of room for interpretation and his staff is in sync with him. I’ll keep the board posted as things progress.

Does he have any data to backup why you wouldn't be a candidate for ADR? Did you seek a second opinion. Fusion should be the last resort. Your body wasn't meant to be fused together. If your disc is spent, then replacing it with an ADR should do the trick. I would get a second opinion for oversea surgeon.

[Jerry5]

Yea I waited for the pain to 'subside' and I now have Permanent LOSS, of the upper leg sensation.

I fought the insurance for a YEAR, and now I am recovering, AFTER, I made the desicion to have ADR.

See my signature, I ended up with a 'hybrid'.

I do have distraction, but getting all the motion back, a little weakness in the left, mostly, but getting some aqua therapy, and I will take anything I can get, as far as the sensation in the toes and movement.

Me, Personally, I would not wait, if you have the option, go to Europe and get the later discs, like the Freedom or the M6.

I was off pain meds in about 9 days.

[stoked64]

After making the 5.5 hour trip to Charlotte NC to have an EMG performed and to see one of the top neurosurgeons in the country that specializes in spinal surgery and artificial disc replacement, he advised me of my prognosis.

Unfortunately the news I received from the Dr. Coric wasn't good. I have permanent nerve damage from my last surgery in the L5 nerve root. Apparently 1-2% of patients have this issue after surgery and there isn't any further surgery to reverse this damage.

The chronic pain I feel both legs will be something I have to live with for the rest of my days. The nerve damage is most likely caused by nerve manipulation during my last surgery. I knew something was wrong the minute I came to post-op. Unfortunately, proving dirliction by the surgeon would be next to impossible... it's considered to be part of the risk with this procedure. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, no sum of money would give me my health back.

To top this off, I hit a deer on the way home and wrecked my car, what's the chances of that (1-2 %)? I won't be placing any bets in Vegas anytime soon.

If anyone has any advise, please feel free to post your suggestions, I'm really bumming.

[stoked64]

After making the 5.5 hour trip to Charlotte NC to have an EMG performed and to see one of the top neurosurgeons in the country that specializes in spinal surgery and artificial disc replacement, he advised me of my prognosis.

Unfortunately the news I received from the Dr. Coric wasn't good. I have permanent nerve damage from my last surgery in the L5 nerve root. Apparently 1-2% of patients have this issue after surgery and there isn't any further surgery to reverse this damage.

The chronic pain I feel both legs will be something I have to live with for the rest of my days. The nerve damage is most likely caused by nerve manipulation during my last surgery. I knew something was wrong the minute I came to post-op. Unfortunately, proving dirliction by the surgeon would be next to impossible... it's considered to be part of the risk with this procedure. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, no sum of money would give me my health back.

To top this off, I hit a deer on the way home and wrecked my car, what's the chances of that (1-2 %)? I won't be placing any bets in Vegas anytime soon.

If anyone has any advise, please feel free to post your suggestions, I'm really bumming because I think I'm screwed.
__________________

[bwink23]

I had an EMG done once, but it seemed a bit bogus. How can an EMG confirm you have "permanent nerve damage." ??

I know they strap you to a machine and stick you with needles that send electric impulses down the nerve. I would like to know how these tests can confidently confirm that the nerves have irreversible damage.

[NJ Gene]

Stoked, I'm just curious. Have you looked into seeing a pain management specialist? Perhaps there is an injection or Rhitzotomy procedure that can be done. This effectively would "deaden" the nerve. Perhaps you can't live without the feeling produced in this nerve. However, a pain doctor would best be able to let you know if they can help you.

Gene