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Reply With QuoteWelcome, Metalneckyou're wise to do your homework. And glad to hear you're seeing someone at TBI; love those guys. Deeply committed and uniquely knowledgeable folks in my experience with them. Their research and develpment department rocks.
This is a discussion on Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) within the Spinal Fusion (Including Discectomy & Laminectomy Procedures) forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; welcome to the forum....
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) welcome to the forum.
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Welcome, Metalneck
Spine Noob
April 2007 - Injured one cervical C6/C7 and one lumber L5/S1 in same accident
No major treatments so far aside from exercising and core strengthening best I can.
Never, ever, ever, give up.
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Just wanted again to say THANK YOU for the warm welcome from ajj1001,Carson,newdisc,kbear,greg,justin.
I really wished I had joined back when I had my 1st surgery on '07.It sure would have helped to be in such a great
group of supportive,knowledgeable,and friendly people who really understand you.But I'm here now and it's
just as important now with surgery in the future on my Lumbar.
The decision I have ahead is extremely hard for me especially after all I went thru with my neck.I know the surgeons
at TBI will not up and leave me high and dry. I just want to make the right choice and come out of it better.So I
can move on with my life.I have 5 beautiful children and their Mom use to be on top of her game.I miss the old
me badly.
Well I hope everyone is having a nice weekend and being good to themselves.I look foward to talking in
the future.
Caitlin aka Metalneck
Back troubles Teenager-no specific accident ,DDD Lumbar Cervical-Arthritic Facets,etc.
Cervical Issues- alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram,myelogram
'07 ADCF C5-6 Surgeon closed shop left me with screws backing out 2months after surgery
'09 Revsion Surgery C5-6 3 screws had backed out, scarring connective tissue,fluid build up,NonUnion
'10 complete fusion and Hardware show no issues
Lumbar issues - DDD alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram verifies L4-5 and L5-S1 pain generators ,Annular disk tear,herinated disk both levels, Facet Hypertrophy
September 28,2010 On my 40th Birthday I recieved the gift of a new spine.My Prodisc at L4-5 and ALIF at L-5S1.
Thank you Dr.Blumenthal and Dr.Lieberman you are the BEST.
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Glad you joined! Everyone on here is great and so very helpful.
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- 5.5 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011, completely pain free still!
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion)
Sounds like you are on the right track to being on the other side. The TBI is on of the best places to go.
You have been giver some great advice
Welcome we are here to help
All The Best
Gil
L5-S1 lam 1994
L2 to L5 DDD
L3 -L4 hern Dec 2007.
L4-L5 Annular fissure with mild central stenosis and moderate facet hypertrophy.
L5-S1 bilaterial neural foraminal narrowing with inferior effacement.
L2-L3 Right-sided neural foraminal narrowing
L3-L4 related to posterolateral hypertrophic spurs and facet hypertrophy.
C3-C4 limited DDD
15 injections Depo. P.T. 18 months 9 dose packs,
Nerve Block Injections.4 ESI S1
L5-S1 Foraminotomy 09
L4-L5 Microdiscectomy 09 ReHerniation 4-2010
Surgery 6-29-11 L4-L5-S1 Decompression Fusion L5-S1 and Coflex F implants
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Welcome, welcome Metalneck.Glad you are here finally as well. It's just a great bunch of folks who really care about one another and are here to help. Hope we can be of service to you and get back "the old you."
• 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
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Just wanted to echo all the good things said by everyone else
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!
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Thanks Cindylou and Katie for the Warm Welcome !!
I can't say enough how wonderful it is to be surrounded by so many helpful people.
I know being here will be extremely helpful and up lifting in a time I could definetly
use it.Thanks again.
Caitlin aka Metalneck07
Back troubles Teenager-no specific accident ,DDD Lumbar Cervical-Arthritic Facets,etc.
Cervical Issues- alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram,myelogram
'07 ADCF C5-6 Surgeon closed shop left me with screws backing out 2months after surgery
'09 Revsion Surgery C5-6 3 screws had backed out, scarring connective tissue,fluid build up,NonUnion
'10 complete fusion and Hardware show no issues
Lumbar issues - DDD alternative procedures,meds,PT,Diskogram verifies L4-5 and L5-S1 pain generators ,Annular disk tear,herinated disk both levels, Facet Hypertrophy
September 28,2010 On my 40th Birthday I recieved the gift of a new spine.My Prodisc at L4-5 and ALIF at L-5S1.
Thank you Dr.Blumenthal and Dr.Lieberman you are the BEST.
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Hi Metalneck
I realize your going to TBI. Though I don't really know anything about them it sems like they've received some good reviews from others at SPS.
If you need a second opinion, and not saying you do, I noticed that you live in GA and Emory University has a 'Spine Center' http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/spine/index.html, and a dedicated orthopedic and spine hospital http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/emory-orthopaedics-spine-hospital/index.html. I'm not sure about their ADR capabilities.
- ~50 years old
- Back pain for ~25 years
- Spondylolisthesis Grade 2 L5/S1
- DDD L4/L5 & L5/S1
- Positive discogram L4/L5 & L5/S1
- Prior PT & injections to no great avail
- 360 degree fusion L4/L5/S1
- Surgery March 15, 2010
- ALIF with Posterior Stabilization Hardware
- Emory University Orthepaedics & Spine Hospital (Atlanta, GA)
- Currently doing really well - 85% improvement (Sept 2011)
- Hardware removel (4-pedical screws & 2-rods) October 3, 2011
re: Hello finally introducing myself. (Preparing for Spinal Fusion) Rob- I think a second opinion is always a good idea. I go to TBI and think they are wonderful, but I also got more than one opinion. Never hurts to hear what others think and then make your decision.Originally Posted by Rob
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- 5.5 years & had baby Eli after ADR, via c-section on March 25, 2011
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