This is a discussion on Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) within the New Member Introductions forums, part of the Spine Patient Society Lobby category; Good evening to all. I'm new to this site and am grateful for this resource. I am in the process ...
Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) Good evening to all. I'm new to this site and am grateful for this resource. I am in the process of determining whether I should have ADR or Fusion. I am a "good patient selection" for both. I want to see what you folks have gone through and see if I can learn something. Thank you!
Zachary
DDD at L5-S1
Positive Discogram Confirming Internal Disc Disruption
Balance of Spine in Check
Male
Mid 40's
Wife and 3 Children
Love the Lord!
re: Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) Welcome Zachary. Sorry you find yourself needing surgery. How many surgical opinions have you got? I would definitely get at least 3 opinions, that way any potential contradictions can be found. It also helps in deciding what the best treatment for you is.
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: Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) Welcome Zachary,Originally Posted by zachary
I have a son named Zachary so I won't likely forget you.
I'm glad you found us and I hope we can be of support and encouragement to you as you gain understanding of what treatment options are best for your particular needs. Again, welcome. Cindylou
• 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
Welcome Zachary!
Concur in having at least 3 opinions. I wish I had done that. It will give you insight into the best option.
Both have about the equal results. However, some initial studies are showing ADR can improve mobility. For your condition (eerily similar to mine) mobility is not a huge thing because of the location. However, some research is showing patients with DDD in L5-S1 that undergo ADR tend to have less of a chance in developing DDD in subsequent discs above the replaced disc. Fusion can (doesn't always) lead to future complications in discs above the fused vertebra. ADR tends to keep that "load bearing" equally distributed like we were created to do.
Another thing too reference is insurance. You should research what type of procedure is authorized in your plan. Some will cover single level ADR for DDD others will not. A couple of the heavy hitters have restricted fusion to patients with instability issues but NOT for DDD.
Again welcome. Don't be afraid to ask questions
re: Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) welcome to the forum. not much to add apart from going to each consult with a list of your questions and write down the answers so you can accurately compare options and always ask what they expect the long term outcome to be.
alison x
re: Introduction (DDD at L5-S1) Hi Zachary,
Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.
We are here to support you along the way -- feel free to ask questions, utilize our Educational Materials on our homepage (Videos and Professionally written articles on everything spine) and network with SPS Members.
Here's a link to the SPS Educational Materials (click on the Education tab, SPS Spine Patient Resources).
Make yourself at home, and please let me know if you need anything.
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.
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