This is a discussion on KenG ADR scheduled within the Artificial Disc Replacement forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; Hi, I was away from the posts for a while to manage some things. My ADR is scheduled on 14th ...
KenG ADR scheduled Hi,
I was away from the posts for a while to manage some things.
My ADR is scheduled on 14th Jan. at Pro Spine.it's L5S1.
I think I should be the first from my country to have this prothesis to lumbar.
My flight is more than 12 hours and I'll be there by myself.
I'm planning to bring laptop so, hopefully I can tell how it goes.
should I have newer MRI tests ? since my latest scans are 11 month old.
it's about 50, 60 USD in Japan with insured. Probably I'll be charged more in Germany ?
Trauma at 20 y/o left buttock, thigh, LBP eversince.
confirmed DDD retro spondylolisthesis L5/S1, offered fusion,
had discectomy successful.
ProDisc-L L5/S1 at Pro Spine Successful
Re: KenG ADR scheduled KenG,
Thanks for checking in and updating us on your upcoming surgery w/ Dr. B. Yes, I would most certainly think he would want a more current MRI of your spine, but check with ProSpine to be certain. I hope your surgery is very successful and I wish you a wonderful Holiday. Let us know how you are on the other side and hopefully we can support and assist you with any concerns or questions.
• January 2000 MVA passenger, used jaws of life to retrieve me, neck injury and months of PT
• June 2001 Bicycle accident, 2 compression fractures at T12/L1, Vertebroplasty Sept. 2001
• April 2006 right hip, labral tear and repair
• April 2007 3 level ProDisc @ L3/4, L4/5 & L5/6✷ ✷Lumbosacral transitional vertebra; Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli
• July 2, 2008 ALIF & Laminectomy @ L6/S1
• July 30, 2008 re-opened 28 days later to remove bone cement that had leaked onto S1 nerve root
• August 2008 Pulmonary embolism, double pneumonia, collapsed left lung, re-hospitalized 1 week
• March 10, 2009 Right SI Joint Fusion
• April 27, 2010 2nd right hip arthroscopy to remove adhesions and release psoas muscle
• September 30, 2010 lumbar facet rhizotomy
• December 9, 2010 12 bilateral lumbar trigger point and steroid injections
• December 23, 2010 12 more bilateral trigger point injections w/o steroid
• February 15, 2011 ESI bilaterally in lower lumbar...relief only for few days. Considering 1 more.
Did Spinal Cord Stimulator trial from 5/11/11-5/17/11 with excellent results; Spinal Cord Stimulator surgery is Monday,
July 18, 2011
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Wow Ken, congratulations! I am so very happy for you and for being a milestone in your country.Please let us help you post surgery, even if it is just to send along cyber hugs and tell you not to overdo things
Moms will be moms you know!
That is an incredibly cheap price for an MRI, so I would think that it would be a good thing to do, but as CindyLou said, best to check with the doctors beforehand.
There was a study released here last week stating that unlike earlier beliefs, that the amount of radiation received from an MRI is equivalent to over 400 regular x-rays, so the fewer you have, the better.
Take care, and keep us posted
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things. Therapy and chiropractic treatments helping immensely. Gone from being almost bedridden to near normal activities including gardening. Life is gooooood!
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Hi Cindylou, Katie,
thanks a lot. I sent email to Dr. F-M to ask about MRI and blood test.
and I just got christmas email from Dr. B.
I appreciate you all, I couldn't come to this point without all the spine patients' help.
especially Justin. I think I will put my story in Japanese on web and let people know we
spinies have option other than fusion now. I am afraid honestly.. but I'll be there.
arigatou.
talk to you soon !
Trauma at 20 y/o left buttock, thigh, LBP eversince.
confirmed DDD retro spondylolisthesis L5/S1, offered fusion,
had discectomy successful.
ProDisc-L L5/S1 at Pro Spine Successful
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Hi Ken! I'm so happy that you have a surgery date with Dr. Bertagnoli!Originally Posted by KenG
From personal experience (two surgeries with Dr. Bertagnoli), you are in excellent hands. Drs. Fenk-Mayer and Bertagnoli are quite the miracle workers. Are you having surgery in Bogen or Straubing? Let me know if you have any questions before you leave--you'll be on the other side before you know it.
Justin Averna
Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
www.SpinePatientSociety.org
A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization
I'm here to help.
- 1994: Football Injury, Severe Hyperextension
- 1997: Snow Skiing Injury
- 3/7/1997: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003: 2-Level ProDisc® L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009: Dynamic Stabilization System L4/L5, Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
Questions? Suggestions? Need help with registering, creating a signature, etc.?
justin (at) spinepatientsociety.org
Disclosure: I have no financial relationships with any surgeons, spine clinics, device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, etc. -- the SPS Board of Directors serve without compensation.
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Ken,
That is awesome that you have a surgery date! Great job on all the hard work and research, it is all about to pay off! You wouldn't be human if you weren't scared; but it will all be fine. I can't wait to hear your success story!
31 years old- 1/06- In wreck with 18 wheeler at 25 years old; 6/06- Head on collision on Interstate, both wrecks other drivers fault. Numerous MRI's, PT, chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS therapy, massage therapy, facet injections, epidural injections, Nerve study, Discogram, confirms pain in L4/5, IDET, decompression, Bi-lateral neurotomy L3/4/5, denied by insurance twice, in Active L clinical trial, had surgery March 17, 2009 in Miami, FL- received Active L disc at 29 years old. Pain and medication free as of October 2010!Mommy to Emma- 8 years, Ava- 6 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Hi Justin, Kathy,
thanks. yeah I did my research and chose to go on. mine is retro so, I once worried if I'm
contraindicated. At last, I left the matter if I should have fusion or ADR to some doctors.
I received answers of ADR. I believed them. I was evaluated as I did my research well enough in a way.
arigatou. Talk to you soon !
Trauma at 20 y/o left buttock, thigh, LBP eversince.
confirmed DDD retro spondylolisthesis L5/S1, offered fusion,
had discectomy successful.
ProDisc-L L5/S1 at Pro Spine Successful
Re: KenG ADR scheduled How are you holding up, Ken? Well, I hope. It is a huge leap of faith, and I am so glad that you are taking it so soon.
Please keep us posted. Are you going over soon to do some sightseeing?
Severe compression of spinal cord, flaval ligament, etc. at C4/5 & 5/6.
Herniation and compression, at L3/4 to L5/S1 plus spondylosis at the latter level. Severe allergy to most metals.
Three level surgery in Brazil with Dr. Luiz Pimenta on March 17/2010 using non-metal appliances. L5/S1-PEEK cage, ALIF; L4/5-PEEK cage, XLIF; C5/6-NuVasive NeoDisc. Three separate approaches, two minimally invasive. Currently minor residual back pain, from SI ligament and still overdoing things
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Hi Katie,
it took me sometime to organize / manage financially to have surgery,
so I don't think I can afford sightseeing there, maybe some other time in future.
I had to save even by not get someone to accompany me. I'll be there myself.
Justin,
I just managed to have MRI test at my place.
would you tell me if Dr. B just see the actual film or they prefer CD ROM to see
scans digitally on screen ? I was told that seeing it on screen, they have more freedom to zoom up everything clearly these days... I think I should bring both but if you know anything, I really appreciate.
Trauma at 20 y/o left buttock, thigh, LBP eversince.
confirmed DDD retro spondylolisthesis L5/S1, offered fusion,
had discectomy successful.
ProDisc-L L5/S1 at Pro Spine Successful
Re: KenG ADR scheduled Yes, you do want new MRI. It needs to be less then 6 month old.
A MRI does not produce "radiation". It is not the same as a CT scan which produces a high amount of xrays ("400 times of an regular xray). It is a totally safe test. The only problem its noisy.
Take the CD, mch better and those films are hard to deal with during travel, they weigh quite a bit. If you have xray CDs take those also. They will instruct you for some additional tests which you should do hortly before you leave for Germany. Good luck, you are in excellent hands!
Sight seeing: there are a lot of very nice sights both in Bogen and Straubing but Straubing has an advantage as it is a larger town. In Bogen the Chapel on top of the Bogenberg is worth a visit. The church is 900 years old has a nice organ and was visited recently by the pope. The views across the donau valley are spectacular. One way is to hopefully have the surgery in Bogen which is next to the Prospine office and then after release spend some time in straubing so you have something new to look at after surgery.
Nov 07: Fusion (Stalif) S1/L5, ADR L4/5 (Activ-L)for strong back and leg pain (Zeegers, Germany).
Nov 09: 2 level cervical ADR Prodisc-C (Nova) C4/5/6 to stop progression of cervical myleopathy. (Bertagnoli, Germany).
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