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New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

This is a discussion on New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5 within the New Member Introductions forums, part of the Spine Patient Society Lobby category; My name is Mary, I live in the Chicagoland area. I have been dx. with severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5 ...

  1. 10-15-2011, 05:40 PM #1
    Mary
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    Default New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    My name is Mary,

    I live in the Chicagoland area. I have been dx. with severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5 with narrowing of the central canal. I saw Dr. Mkrdician, a neurosurgeon & he recommends a "Decompression laminoforaminotomy with bony fusion." I like the idea of NO metal implants, but I am concerned about leaving the spinal cord exposed.

    I want to get a second opinion but not sure who to go to. I have researched many MD's. Dr. Fessler out of Northwestern, is not in my HMO IPA. I would have to go to a doc at Evanston, Skokie or one of several other hospitals in Northern Illinois.

    I am also looking to find someone else who has had this diagnosis or this same procedure. I want to know more about it.

    Thanks ...
    My name is Mary,

    So glad I found this forum. I am a 53 y.o. living in the Chicagoland area. I was Dx. with severe spinal stenosis L4-L5 with narrowing of the central canal. I saw Dr. Mkrdichician. He is recommending surgery. The procedure is called "decompression laminoforamenotomy with bony fusion." I have several recommendations that he is an excellent Neurosurgeon.

    Thanks everyone!
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  2. 10-16-2011, 06:36 PM #2
    Justin
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Hi Mary,

    Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

    I'm sorry that you are dealing with spine issues, but you are in good company with many Spine Patients that can truly empathize.

    The proposed procedure--decompression laminoforaminotomy with bony fusion--is a very common surgery. He / she will be taking out part of the lamina to access the "bulging" disc that is causing your pain. They will also "open up" the foramen (foraminotomy) or create more space where your nerve root from your spine runs, as this is a common area of compression causing painful symptoms.

    Here's a couple of Patient Education documents from our library of materials for Spine Patients. I've posted a few of them to help you get a better picture of the proposed procedure and I believe pictures are a great way to learn, as opposed to just text:

    Good luck and make sure to get a few surgical opinions (if possible--I know it is difficult with HMO's).

    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.
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  3. 10-16-2011, 08:28 PM #3
    KBear
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Welcome to the forum! I'm no help on your diagnosis or surgery, but did want to say Hello!
    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!
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  4. 10-24-2011, 07:43 AM #4
    cid
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Hi. I'm new here too. My Mri shows mild stenosis but the pain is horrid more than not. I do understand as I have an appt with family doc on thurs. I am going to ask for a referral to a neurosurgeon to see if they can help. I'm scares but am tired of living like this pills for this pills for that. 2 yeas under my belt and am so tired of hurting. I hope you find answers and relief soon.
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  5. 10-25-2011, 12:36 AM #5
    Mary
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Hi-Thanx for posting! Your doc will probably recommend steroid injections directly into your lumbar spine. That will be painful! I had 4 and they didn't work very well. Also did PT. Exercises made it worse. Wish I had seen the neurosurgeon sooner. Now I'm waiting to be seen for a second opinion. I may have to wait months just to see another neurosurgeon. You may want to make an appointment with the neurosurgeon sooner rather than later. Keep me posted!
    My name is Mary,

    So glad I found this forum. I am a 53 y.o. living in the Chicagoland area. I was Dx. with severe spinal stenosis L4-L5 with narrowing of the central canal. I saw Dr. Mkrdichician. He is recommending surgery. The procedure is called "decompression laminoforamenotomy with bony fusion." I have several recommendations that he is an excellent Neurosurgeon.

    Thanks everyone!
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  6. 10-25-2011, 12:42 AM #6
    Mary
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Quote Originally Posted by KBear View Post
    Welcome to the forum! I'm no help on your diagnosis or surgery, but did want to say Hello!
    Hi KBear!
    Glad to read that you are doing well and painfree. I see that you live in Texas but had your surgery in Florida. If you don't mind me askin', What's up with that?
    My name is Mary,

    So glad I found this forum. I am a 53 y.o. living in the Chicagoland area. I was Dx. with severe spinal stenosis L4-L5 with narrowing of the central canal. I saw Dr. Mkrdichician. He is recommending surgery. The procedure is called "decompression laminoforamenotomy with bony fusion." I have several recommendations that he is an excellent Neurosurgeon.

    Thanks everyone!
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  7. 10-25-2011, 12:11 PM #7
    KBear
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Quote Originally Posted by Mary View Post
    Hi KBear!
    Glad to read that you are doing well and painfree. I see that you live in Texas but had your surgery in Florida. If you don't mind me askin', What's up with that?
    LOL... Yeah I go to Texas Back Institute, which are world class surgeons. However, my insurance (that we pay over a $1,000 a month for, for our family) decided that I was "too young" for ADR. I appealed their decision and still got a no. At that point I had no fight left in me. I was going to be in the Freedom Disc trial at TBI; but was disqualified due to litigation involving my spine (since I was seeking reimbursement from the other driver's insurance.) TBI had already done all their patients for the Active L trial. I then researched other places still doing the Active L trial. I found Dr. Yue at Yale and Dr. Garcia in Florida, were both still operating and they were the inventors of the Active L. I did some asking around on here and found they were equally great surgeons. With all things being equal, I decided on Florida, since I'd be recovery by the ocean . Too bad all of our decisions aren't that easy, huh?
    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!
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  8. 10-25-2011, 07:48 PM #8
    Katie
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    Default Re: New Member -- severe lumbar spinal stenosis L4-L5

    Welcome Mary!

    I see that you live in Texas but had your surgery in Florida. If you don't mind me askin', What's up with that?
    LOL, many if not most of us have had surgery far from home I went to Brazil from Canada, with excellent results after pitiful (no) treatment at home. We've got a heck of a pile of interesting stories here...it's daunting to start going back through old posts, but some are pretty inspiring, like KBear's.

    So glad you found your way here, and hope we can help.
    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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