Surgery this summer in Germany (Stenum, Spinal Kinetics M6 Lumbar)

[WPKat]

K-

I have submitted my films to Stenum, just a few days ago in fact so I am looking forward to the response. Also Dr. Ritter-Lang is going to be in S.F. on the 14th and 15th of May were I will be able to meet with him for free! My mom is a nurse who does surgery prep at Kaiser so I will be bringing her with me to ask the tough questions. If anybody would like to get a candid opinion on the meeting please Private Message on the 17th.

-David

David,

I looked up your Thread to see if you were a cervical or lumbar patient. I see we share lumbar issues. Do you know everything that is wrong with your lumbar? Could you update your signature (see mine below)? Since we are both lumbar patients, both interested in the same surgeon and artificial disc, it would help to compare our cases. I understand if you feel uncomfortable sharing the information.

Did you receive an answer from Stenum after you sent them your information? It may be too early, but I'm curious since you have decided on Stenum as your first choice. You should know by now that I have a date set with them since I replied to a different post of yours.



By the way, I researched FDA approved artificial discs as well as those I knew were are on trial. I don't know if I found them all, but I did my best. My husband, my Uncle and I independently compared them against the M6-L. We all selected the same disc ... M6-L. Have you looked at them all?

Kathleen

[Carmen]

You ask a good question and I am interested in the answer myself

Have you already submitted your MRIs, x-rays and the like to Germany? I ask because I was approved late January of this year for a double ADR at Stenum with Dr. Ritter-Lang. When I asked them about the Discogram, they said it was only done with borderline cases. I elected to have it done here anyway for insurance coverage and for confirmation on what was going on before going to Germany for ADR.

I found your thread because I have multiple annular tears, one of which only showed up on the CT Scan after the Discogram (and not on any one of my 5 MRIs), and I am looking for others with the same problem to see what they have had done. My posterior annular tear is leaking directly onto my spinal nerves, also only brought to light with the Discogram. I wrote about it on another thread this week.

As Justin advised, knowing absolutely everything you can before having back surgery is important ... having had one back surgery already, I would have done some things differently with the knowledge I have now. However, my pain levels were so high at the time I basically begged for mercy and let the surgeon do what he felt was best

Good Luck!

K

I am thinking that a Mylogram followed by a CT scan is the same as a Discogram followed by a CT Scan. They have to be one and the same. One doctor would not operate unless I had the Mylogram . It was not any fun and he would not give me any pain meds. I want to another hospital to have the procedure where I could order anesthesia. That only worked until it wore off and they wanted me to me up for the CT Scan which followed. I am not sure I want to use that doctor for my operation. It is good to know ahead of time their philosophy regarding pain. In his eyes it is either black or white, not a inch of grey can be around. You must fit into his mold as to your pain tolerance. I think the doctor thought I was a border line case. That is all I know so far. Carmen

[Cindylou]

Carmen, Justin will be able to explain the specifics better, but a myleogram followed by CT is not the same as a discogram followed by CT. During a myleogram procedure the contrast dye is injected into your arm.....a myleogram is looking more for pathology of the spinal cord, nerve compression, etc. With a discogram, the dye is injected directly into the disc, looking for fissures or tears, if you will, of the actual disc. The discogram typically means "surgery is around the corner," as the doctor tries to narrow down which discs are actual pain generators. Probably clear as mud. I have had both, the myleogram most recently, and typically there is no anesthesia with the myleogram, because, as you mentioned....you then have to get up and walk to the other room where the CT will be performed. Hope that helps.

[Carmen]

Carmen, Justin will be able to explain the specifics better, but a myleogram followed by CT is not the same as a discogram followed by CT. During a myleogram procedure the contrast dye is injected into your arm.....a myleogram is looking more for pathology of the spinal cord, nerve compression, etc. With a discogram, the dye is injected directly into the disc, looking for fissures or tears, if you will, of the actual disc. The discogram typically means "surgery is around the corner," as the doctor tries to narrow down which discs are actual pain generators. Probably clear as mud. I have had both, the myleogram most recently, and typically there is no anesthesia with the myleogram, because, as you mentioned....you then have to get up and walk to the other room where the CT will be performed. Hope that helps.

I am glad you are going to Germany. I am sure the good doctor there will be able to take away your pain. Do you have any idea why you still have the pain even after the surgeries?


Hi CindyLou,
Thanks for explaining it to me. My mylogram was inserted directly into my spine. I wish it was inserted into my arm. I have the disk to bring to the doctor when I see him at my scheduled appointment. I could still feel the needle in my back under the band-aid. Even after the test was performed, it took a week for the feeling to go away. Sounds like your procedure was not a piece of cake either. You can't insert a needle into an already hurtful back and expect it not to hurt. I think he wanted to do the mylogram because he thought I was a problem case. The CT was in the same room. They just wheeled me over to it. I never even got up.

The doctor will be doing a hybird, actually two surgeries in one. First using the XLIF and then I think a more traditional one. I will find out more after I see the doctor although I am not sure I want to use this doctor. Thank you for your kind words. I have not heard from Justin. Unfortunately no other doctor wanted to see it. Carmen