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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.


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  #1  
Old 03-20-2007, 08:40 AM
desert brat desert brat is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Iam new here so bear with me! I have been told I need an anterior fusion @ C5-6 & C6-7. I have spurs narrowing herniated discs almost bone on bone. I have done everything as far as PT MRI etc. I have seen several Dr.'s & finally went to the Dr. that did my L3-4 L4-5 S1 fusion. He was the one who said I needed the fusion. I asked about ADR & he pretty much dismissed the idea. I fell at work down some steps 6-2-2006 hurt my ankle,knee,yanked my shoulder about off holding onto the rail trying not to fall so hard on my butt & lower back cos allI could think of was oh no not my back again!! I didn't realise my ankle hurt until I tried to go back up the steps & it would't hold me up. I did the employee health er xrays all of it like you are suppose to do to report an accident. I thought afterward I was just stiff & strained from the fall so all the Dr.'s concentrated on my ankle until I finally got to hurting really bad in my neck arm hand shoulder & lower back & pinching when I try to lay on my sides also numbness in lower back & in leg:was mostly on the R side but has started into left as well. I tried to work but my ankle kept swelling & hurting so was took out 9-30-2006 & am still out I go for a C T scan on my ankle tomorrow & that is the last test I think can be done as have done all the rest! Dr wants to do the fusion April 4th but I want some more information before I get fused anywhere else. Any help with any of this will be greatly apperciated. I have done all they told me to do & so far it hasn't helped I hurt all the time now & have had a headache of some degree since July!! I am an active person & hate to be still & my flower bed has really been calling to me! I am a Respiratory Therapist & I really miss that as well. I haven't gotten a thing yet from workers comp but grief! I was denied at the beginning cos a Dr. didn't put a definite diagnosis down. It finally got reversed but for only my ankle!So now I can either start the battle all over for my back neck shoulder or just go through my insurance! I just know I need some releif soon. I also am not into taking pills I'd rather be fixed than dopped up!Sorry was so windy.Again any help will be GREATLY APPERCIATED.I am in the Atlanta Georgia area
Jackie
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  #2  
Old 03-27-2007, 08:49 AM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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Hey Desert Brat! Sorry for the delayed welcome!

It sounds like you may benefit by have a clear understanding of your diagnosis and treatment options. As well, we can help you find an experience spinal surgeon who also performs arthroplasty – like ADR. Have you had any luck with your PCP referring you to another surgeon?

Let’s talk again soon…
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"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
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  #3  
Old 03-27-2007, 09:12 AM
desert brat desert brat is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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Harrison,
Thanks for contacting me. No my Dr hasn't refered me to anyone here & that was one of my ? Does anyone know of a Dr. in the Atlanta Ga area?The one I am seeing wanted to do an anterior fusion at C5-6 C6-7 only cos the ins won't pay for an ADR. I fell at work in june 2006 did the report that I stated hurt R ankle,knee,hip/low back & shoulder.I got denied then I appealed & got it reversed but only for my R ankle & was told couldn't have the others added. I have had in 1998 L4-5 L5-S1 fused anteriorly the in 2000 L3-4 posteriorly fused with hardware placed then in 2000 had to have hardware removed. Was doing great till I fell this past june!! Now I am constantly in pain can't lay on either side it pinches my R arm shoulder into thumb & hand hurt I drop things to!Next Question is has anyone done a clinical trial? Sorry so long just I have a lot of ??? Tahnks for all the help
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Old 03-27-2007, 01:53 PM
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Harrison Harrison is offline
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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DB,
You can find surgeons several ways. There’s the “word of mouth” via this forum, as well as using a search tool from Depuy Spine and Synthes; see:

http://www.charitedisc.com/charitedev/domestic/locator/

I can’t locate the Synthes (Prodisc) locator (ironic, eh?!) maybe some helpful person can locate it (other than the SpineUniverse static page).

More soon…hang in there!
__________________
"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
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