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Reply With Quotewelcome to the forum, you are looking at a pretty big op, guess you have exhausted all conservative options? have you had any surgical interventions previously?
This is a discussion on New Member - Location, Location, Location within the New Member Introductions forums, part of the Spine Patient Society Lobby category; Hello Group. I have been lurking for some time now and decided to join and 'come out'. Things have gotten ...
New Member - Location, Location, Location Hello Group. I have been lurking for some time now and decided to join and 'come out'.
Things have gotten worse since March 2011 and now progressed to point where surgery is not an option but a requirement. Spine issues are 'typical' and I understand most of them (as an Engineer) with little pain but leg numbness has reached 'critical' point. I know my technical/medical options which appear to be 3 Level Fusion or Hybrid ADR & Fusion.
My biggest problem is living in small city (Perth Australia) with limited Spine facilities/expertise as an expatriate. Do I stay here for Fusion surgery, or quit job and move back to Texas for Fusion, or take vacation and fly to Germany and take a chance there on Fusion ADR's.Need to do something "soon" and no option is really ideal.
Severe numbness and weakness in right leg and left thigh w/difficulty walking or standing...Low Lumbar Pain levels
2002 DDD & Stenosis Lamin'y L4/L5 & L5/S1 with great success
Leg Probs resume 2010 - MRI & CT and NSR Inject (twice) & EPI & Rhyzhotomy
2011 CT- Things looked bad - L3/4 bulge with facet jt degen mild - mod
L4/5 disc vacuum & global bulge impinge right L4 nerve and bilat pars fracture. Grade 1-2 ant slip at L4 when bending from xrays not when erect
L5/S1 DDD bulge with disc osteophyte and left L5 nerve impinge w/facet jt degen - autofusing in bad way
14 Sep 2011 TLIF L4/L5/S1 w/BMP & own bone & DSS at L3/L4 to protect damaged disk
Back to work full time at 5 weeks & Off pain meds at 6 weeks
Still some numbness in legs but getting better
Re: New Member - Location, Location, Location welcome to the forum, you are looking at a pretty big op, guess you have exhausted all conservative options? have you had any surgical interventions previously?
Re: New Member - Location, Location, Location AJj1001
I had a laminectomy in 2002 with good success and many minor injections over the last few years.
Severe numbness and weakness in right leg and left thigh w/difficulty walking or standing...Low Lumbar Pain levels
2002 DDD & Stenosis Lamin'y L4/L5 & L5/S1 with great success
Leg Probs resume 2010 - MRI & CT and NSR Inject (twice) & EPI & Rhyzhotomy
2011 CT- Things looked bad - L3/4 bulge with facet jt degen mild - mod
L4/5 disc vacuum & global bulge impinge right L4 nerve and bilat pars fracture. Grade 1-2 ant slip at L4 when bending from xrays not when erect
L5/S1 DDD bulge with disc osteophyte and left L5 nerve impinge w/facet jt degen - autofusing in bad way
14 Sep 2011 TLIF L4/L5/S1 w/BMP & own bone & DSS at L3/L4 to protect damaged disk
Back to work full time at 5 weeks & Off pain meds at 6 weeks
Still some numbness in legs but getting better
Re: New Member - Location, Location, Location I wouldn't limit my search to just Germany. There are a number of other international surgeons listed here on the forum. A number of posters here have had great luck with them. I personally sent my images out to at least six out of country surgeons and highly recommend it to others.
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!
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