New to SPS

[SPC70]

Hi everyone!
Three weeks ago I saw a neurosurgeon who said he recommends a two level fusion. I have a herniation at L4-5 and have had a Laminectomy/Discectomy three years ago on L5-S1. A two level fusion is very permanent. I am trying to research all avenues that I can and that is how I came across this website. I decided to join and see if there are others who have had similar experiences.

I have been doing research on ADR but finding a doctor with experience in that seems to be a challenge in South Florida. I have some questions, if someone could elaborate I would appreciate it.

1. Any recommendations on how to find a doctor with a good reputation in my area?

2. Does anyone know when the M6-L is going to be FDA approved in the states?

3. Is there anyone with experience with the Texas Back Institute?

Sorry for all the questions but I am still trying to figure out what is going on with my back. The doctor I saw didn't even explain to me what is going on. I just told him I wasn't interested in surgery at this time and he rushed me out of the room. Needless to say I won't be going back to him. Any help will be greatful.
Thanks,
Scott

[Justin]

Hi Scott,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

1. Any recommendations on how to find a doctor with a good reputation in my area?

I'm not sure how close Aventura is to you, but Dr. Rolando Garcia is a great spine surgeon that has a very good reputation. His website is here: Orthopedic Care Center.

2. Does anyone know when the M6-L is going to be FDA approved in the states?

I'm not sure anyone really knows this answer to be honest.

3. Is there anyone with experience with the Texas Back Institute?

Yes, I have personal experience with Dr. Guyer at the Texas Back Institute. I saw him in 2003 for an evaluation for my spine and my Dad also traveled to him in 2009 for an evaluation of his spine. He's an outstanding surgeon and he was just recognized as one of the Most Compassionate Surgeon's in America.

Sorry for all the questions but I am still trying to figure out what is going on with my back. The doctor I saw didn't even explain to me what is going on. I just told him I wasn't interested in surgery at this time and he rushed me out of the room. Needless to say I won't be going back to him. Any help will be greatful.
Thanks,
Scott

No need to apologize, that's why we are here.

[SPC70]

Thanks for your reply Justin. I appreciate the information that you gave me. Needless to say in the past three weeks I have been overwhelmed with information. My first post last night after reading it seemed very impersonal. It was late, I was getting tired and my back was acting up due to sitting in a car all day. So let me go into detail in regards to my back issues. I have always played sports my whole life, you name it I could play it. 15-17 years ago (I can't remember exactly) I tweaked my back playing in a basketball tournament on a cruise ship. Go figure! Ever since then I would throw out my back once a year. Some Advil and Bengay and a week later I was a 100%. I thought at that time I had a back problem. Boy, I was wrong.

Three years ago after doing some high intensity MMA training I was sparring with someone who was far more advanced than myself. We were just goofing off when he swept my leg and down to the ground I went. I didn't think much of it, I went home and in an hour of two later I didn't feel right. I had chills and started experiencing back pain. By morning, laying in bed in the fetal position, I was having some serious pain. That is when I found out what back problems were. Being that I just moved back to Florida from Las Vegas, I was in between jobs. I was in decent shape so I felt there was no need to purchase the Cobra plan through my old job. I had to go 2 1/2 months without medical care and I never missed a day of work in my new job. I would go to work smiling but gritting my teeth in pain so noone would find out during my probation period of my back problems. I finally got insurance and saw my first Spine Surgeon who sent me for a MRI. As soon as I looked at the films, I saw there was something wrong right away. There was a balloon protruding from my disk. The doctor recommended surgery and said it was a very simple surgery (Discectomy). He said I would be back to 100% afterwards. It sounded good to me !
I went into surgery and the doctor told my girlfriend (now wife) that it would only be an hour. Three hours later he came out and the surgery was over. He stated he had a complication and hit the dura and needed to repair it as well as had to do a Laminectomy rather than a Discectomy. While recovering from my surgery I told myself, I would never do back surgery ever again. My surgeon cleared me to start working out with no limitations so I started working out again and was feeling better. A few days before my wedding I went to the gym and worked out. On my wedding night, I started feeling pain in my left leg. That was the begining of my L4-5 herniation. So since then I stopped working out. I am probably shorter by a half inch because of the disk height and I am 20lbs heavier. So here I am again today contemplating the issue whether to have surgery again or not.

I don't need to play sports anymore but just want to be a active father to my 20 month old son. I would love to be able to play basketball with him someday and be able to go on rollercoaster rides, etc. I think the pain of not being able to do those things will definitely outweigh the pain in my back. Well that is my short story, I would like to ask more questions.

1. What is the outcome between fusion and ADR in regards to success rates, complications, etc ?
2. What is the life expectancy of the ADR's?
3. In my humble opinion, the M6 seems to be a very impressive implant. Anyone with experience with this long term?
4. The neurosurgeon I saw stated the 2 level ADR is very risky. I see people on this forum with two levels. What are the risks he could be referring to? That wasn't explained to me.

If anyone can elaborate on any of these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for listening.

Scott

[trkdoc714]

Scott,

I'm not an expert on your questions, but here's what I've learned:

"1. What is the outcome between fusion and ADR in regards to success rates, complications, etc ?"

The outcome has been measured as slightly better for ADR. The deciding factor for my decision to go with ADR was recovery time, 8-12 weeks v.s. 6-12 months.

"2. What is the life expectancy of the ADR's?"

I think the life expectancy for the second and third generation discs tests out beyond 30-40 years. I'm sure placement is a huge factor in the life span as is disease/ damage at adjacent levels.

"3. In my humble opinion, the M6 seems to be a very impressive implant. Anyone with experience with this long term?"

I don't know of any long term studies but it appears to have the confidence of several high profile, experienced surgeons.

"4. The neurosurgeon I saw stated the 2 level ADR is very risky. I see people on this forum with two levels. What are the risks he could be referring to? That wasn't explained to me."

The procedure to implant an ADR is performed anteriorly. Using this approach has risks as it exposes internal organs and the Illiac blood vessels to possible damage. There are approaches for fusion the don't "go through the belly" such as PLIF, TLIF or XLIF. ALIF uses the same approach as ADR surgery.

I hope that this helps,

Bob

[SPC70]

Thanks Bob for your help

[ajj1001]

On question no 4, two level adr is difficult to approach for any revision if it fails.

The other thing that I would ask about is how your facets look at the deteriorated levels and how this would impact any adr.