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New Appointment

This is a discussion on New Appointment within the Artificial Disc Replacement forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; Hi All I finally have an appointment at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City It`s only a six ...

  1. #1
    Senior Member Gilbert P's Avatar
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    New Appointment

    Hi All

    I finally have an appointment at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City

    It`s only a six hour drive

    This was no easy task, I needed a referral from my Doctor and she would not go for it. " Why do you want to go their we can do it here" FUSION
    So my primary care physician was glad to do it and send my records .

    This is for another opinion with more test and yes the dreaded Discogram
    I think the U of U, will know about all the new technology and not be stuck on fusion only,they do ADR but not sure what disc they use?

    Has anyone heard of Dr Meric Schmitz ?

    Just Moving On

    Gilbert P
    L5-S1 lam 1994
    L2 to L5 DDD
    L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
    L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
    L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
    L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
    L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
    C3-C4 limited DDD
    15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
    Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
    L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
    L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
    Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants


  2. #2
    Founder / Administrator Justin's Avatar
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    Great news Gil! Teaching Universities are great because most (if not all) of them continue to embrace the latest therapies and are actively involved in Clinical Trials.

    Drive safe...

    Justin Averna
    Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
    www.SpinePatientSociety.org
    A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization


    • 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
    I'm here to help.
    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.

  3. #3
    Senior Member Gilbert P's Avatar
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    Thanks Justin

    Letting the Wife drive will try to sleep with the heated seat on .

    Kid in the back watching movies.

    Looking forward to a solution if suggest two or three ADR I will go and see Dr B

    Take care

    Gil
    L5-S1 lam 1994
    L2 to L5 DDD
    L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
    L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
    L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
    L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
    L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
    C3-C4 limited DDD
    15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
    Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
    L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
    L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
    Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants


  4. #4
    Founder / Administrator Justin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gilbert P View Post
    Thanks Justin

    Letting the Wife drive will try to sleep with the heated seat on .

    Kid in the back watching movies.

    Looking forward to a solution if suggest two or three ADR I will go and see Dr B

    Take care

    Gil
    Keep us posted Gil! :thumpup:

    Justin Averna
    Founder & President, Spine Patient Society™
    www.SpinePatientSociety.org
    A 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Nonprofit & Charitable Organization


    • 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
    I'm here to help.
    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.

  5. #5
    Moderator KBear's Avatar
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    Congrats! I hope they can come up with something you can be happy with. I have heard great things about teaching hospitals.
    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!

  6. #6
    Super Moderator trkdoc714's Avatar
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    Good for you Gil! I hope the surgeon comes up with a viable solution for you.

    Ride carefully and try not to be a backseat driver!!!!

    Bob
    04/06 L5/S1 Rupture
    05/06 MRI shows DDD @ L2-S1
    06/06 Diskectomy/ Laminotomy L5/S1
    04/07 Recurrent Disc L5/S1
    4 Ortho and 1 Neuro Surgeon, 5 MRIs, 1 EGM, 1 Myleogram & 11 EDIs later:
    03/27/09 L4/5 & L5/S1 Maverick discs at Stenum (www.dr-ritter-lang.com)
    11/9/11 C6/7 Herniation with Nerve Impingement. Another journey begins.

  7. #7
    Moderator Cindylou's Avatar
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    That's great Gil! :thumpup: Do keep us posted.
    • 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

  8. #8
    Moderator Terry Newton's Avatar
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    May the force be with you Luke!

    I am excited for you as this will bring up different opinions and options for you. One step closer to getting your life back. :thumpup:
    Terry Newton; Moderator

    1980 ruptured L4-L5
    1988 ruptured SI-L5
    1990 ruptured C5-C6
    1994 ruptured C6-C7
    1995 Hemi-Laminectomy surgery C5-C6, C6-C7 Mayo Clinic
    Bicycle Accident with a large dog in 2004
    Shoulder reconstruction surgery
    MRI, EMG, Facet Injections, Epidural Blocks, Lumbar Discogram.
    Stenum Hospital Surgery November 4, 2006
    Prestige Disc C5-C6, C6-C7
    Maverick Disc S1-L5, L4-L5

    I'm busy living my life after a successful 4-level ADR surgery with Dr. Ritter-Lang at Stenum Hospital in Germany. If you would like to contact me, please click the email icon under my SPS Member Profile, as I'm not on SPS daily.

  9. #9
    Senior Member Gilbert P's Avatar
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    Hi All

    Thank You All for the support.

    Getting some of my life back would be Great

    Thank You

    Gilbert P
    L5-S1 lam 1994
    L2 to L5 DDD
    L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
    L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
    L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
    L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
    L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
    C3-C4 limited DDD
    15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
    Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
    L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
    L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
    Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants


  10. #10
    Senior Member New-disc's Avatar
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    Gil,

    Glad to see your on your way to finding some answers. :thumpup:

    Todd
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    * Stenum Hospital (Germany) Maverick disc implanted (10-19-07) L4-L5

    * To view my post-op video's click- http://www.youtube.com/ type ADR surgery into the space bar

    * Fusion of c5-c6 on (11-02-09) Boston, USA http://fusion-c5-c6.blogspot.com/
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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