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Dr Clavel,Wanted to set up a call with you. I am pretty set with you, but I have some questions.

1. What method of anterior fusion do you use(instrumentation)? If one had unstable spondylolisthesis, isnt an anterior fusion usually ruled out?

2. Why did you recommend me an ADR at L4/L5? Do you feel my disc at L4/L5 is degenerated beyond a normal limit and causing many of my symptoms?

3. With the anterior approach to fusion, wouldn't the pars interarticularis/ lamina fracture still be there?

4. The purpose of the fusion in this case is to stabilize and decompress the L5/S1 vertebral bodies?

5. When is an estimated procedure date if we decide to do one?

6. What are your preferred methods of payment?

Thank You

Hello Everyone, I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to shed some light on recent issues ...I just went for my second Mri 7-21-11 , at the c3-c4 level there is a grade 1 retrolisthesis with degenerative disc bulging & unicinate joint hypertrophy resulting in moderate bilateral neural foraminal stenosis & severe spinal cord compression. c4-c5 level severe right & moderate left neural foraminal stenosis with severe spinal cord compression.
I just went for epidural injections to reduce pain in neck from 6/7/11 to 6/21/11.
The first spine surgeon I seen Dr. john r. ehteshami wants to fuse 5 disc's from the back. The second spine surgeon Dr. Duane Pitt I seen wants to fuse c3,c4,c5 from front then a week later go in the back and fuse c3 thru c6.He said he would do it that way cause when you get more thtan 3 disc's fused , that there is always on disk that does not fuse. So I don't know who to go with . i am waiting to see a 3rd spine surgeon. can anyone help me out

Dear Jeff http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/f...es/welcome.gif
I was thinking about you. So glad you are doing so well--such an inspiration. I have finally decided to get the surgery given my recent shall I say pain in the neck http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/f...ault/frown.gif
I have the usual DDD. I have a herniation at c6-7 which is clear. But then a bulge at c4-5 which some think is causing pain higher in my neck and jaw. Did you have such symptoms? How did Dr Clavel decide to do the segments he did on you? Was it clear from symptoms and MRI or did you have other testing?

I have had many different opinions--the more radical approaches say 3 levels c4-5 through c6-7. And in US they are cautious and say 1 level c6-7. Dr Boeree said m-6 on c4-5 and c 6-7. Which leaves c5-6 right in the middle of a sandwich since he thinks c 5-6 is ok.

i know you have a different situation since your fusion is in the middle of the ADR's.
But I wondered how you decided on the m6. I was told by Dr Boeree that it is the preferred ADR in Europe now. You decided on this I'm thinking years ago when it was recently available. The worry I have is how much pressure it puts on the facet joints and if putting c5-6 in the middle it would somehow impact that level. i know I could have a discogram but I was told those are not terribly accurate?? Well anyway don't mean to bother you but really would value your thoughts!!
Margie

Dear Jeff http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/f...es/welcome.gif
I was thinking about you. So glad you are doing so well--such an inspiration. I have finally decided to get the surgery given my recent shall I say pain in the neck http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/f...ault/frown.gif
I have the usual DDD. I have a herniation at c6-7 which is clear. But then a bulge at c4-5 which some think is causing pain higher in my neck and jaw. Did you have such symptoms? How did Dr Clavel decide to do the segments he did on you? Was it clear from symptoms and MRI or did you have other testing?

I have had many different opinions--the more radical approaches say 3 levels c4-5 through c6-7. And in US they are cautious and say 1 level c6-7. Dr Boeree said m-6 on c4-5 and c 6-7. Which leaves c5-6 right in the middle of a sandwich since he thinks c 5-6 is ok.

i know you have a different situation since your fusion is in the middle of the ADR's.
But I wondered how you decided on the m6. I was told by Dr Boeree that it is the preferred ADR in Europe now. You decided on this I'm thinking years ago when it was recently available. The worry I have is how much pressure it puts on the facet joints and if putting c5-6 in the middle it would somehow impact that level. i know I could have a discogram but I was told those are not terribly accurate?? Well anyway don't mean to bother you but really would value your thoughts!!
Margie