ADRSupport Community  

Go Back   ADRSupport Community > General Discussion > New Member Introductions

New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started.


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 12-10-2010, 03:22 AM
colorado2718 colorado2718 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22
Default It's only a matter of time...

Hi,

I've had back problems for almost 30 years and things seem to be acting up again. Thought it would be good to do my research before I actually have to do something about it.

I've only looked a little, but I'm very impressed with this site and am glad to have found it. I have all the usual questions about options for treatment including trials, and how to deal with the costs / insurance.

My history:

1984 - Herniated disc @ L4-L5 (shoveling snow)
1994 - Discectomy / Laminectomy @ L4
2010 - Herniated disc @ L5-S1 (don't actually know when this happened or how)

I had an MRI recently and a report with all the technical detailed proper language (annular tear, disc protursion, bilateral facet hypertrophy, foraminal stenosis, DDD, facet arthropathy, etc.) but decided to keep this message relatively short.

A summary of my symptoms follows - I have low level pain in my back and legs all the time that intermittently gets worse (especially if I have to cough or sneeze) and can occasionally cause significant loss of strength in my left calf. I'm not currently taking any medication. I do some stretching every morning, but have gotten to the point where it's difficult to do any real excercise.

I try not to let my back stop me from doing most things (work, household chores, etc.). If it does start to interfer much more than it does today, I'll get serious about taking some kind of action...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-10-2010, 12:05 PM
Harrison's Avatar
Harrison Harrison is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,010
Default

Welcome, but sorry you are here. You may have seen this long, important topic already:

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51...ications-9620/

It sounds like you are really struggling to get out of pain, while also researching the best treatment options. Thirty years of aggravation? My gosh.

Facet arthosis, especially if advanced, is definitely a contraindication. So be careful as you research and talk to doctors!
__________________
"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org
Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004
Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston
Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004
Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006
Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012
Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-11-2010, 02:12 AM
colorado2718 colorado2718 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 22
Default

Hi Harrison - thanks for the welcome! I'm sorry I'm here also, but very happy to have found this forum (and impressed).

As I indicated in my earlier post, I recently had an MRI and there was no mention of Facet Arthrosis (plenty of other problems).
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-11-2010, 11:52 AM
Harrison's Avatar
Harrison Harrison is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,010
Default

Hey again Colorado,

Regarding facet issues, terminology can be confusing. You said that facet arthropathy was noted on the MRI, right? Any facet issues must be carefully assessed. If any of these are noted on the MRI, pursue further research on your condition and eligibility:
  • facet arthropathy
  • facet arthrosis
  • facet arthritis
  • zygapophyseal degeneration
There are two facet joints (zygapophyseal joints) between the vertebrae of each spinal segment along the spinal column. Either can be problematic!

Here's a concise review of the Z joints: Lumbosacral Facet Syndrome: eMedicine Sports Medicine
__________________
"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org
Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004
Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston
Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004
Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006
Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012
Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
adr contraindications, artificial disc contraindications, artificial disc replacement surgery, lumbar arthroplasty

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Please do not come to the UK at this time Alastair The Big File 2 08-10-2006 06:16 AM
does medicare pay for ADR? - does it matter what state you live in? fiddle The Big File 0 11-11-2005 10:41 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:08 AM.


© Copyright 2006-2023 ADRSupport.org All rights reserved.