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Reply With QuoteDefinitely.....you crack me up Gil!!!
This is a discussion on Two Level Fusion within the Spinal Fusion (Including Discectomy & Laminectomy Procedures) forums, part of the Spine Surgery Support category; Originally Posted by Gilbert P Hi Justin S end Lots Of Money I will be fine .Just seeking all their ...
Re: Two Level Fusion LMAO.... At least you still have your sense of humor!Originally Posted by Gilbert P
Hi Justin
Send Lots Of MoneyI will be fine .Just seeking all their is to offer in spine technology and its not their YET
Life Is Short So Live Large " Big Walley"
Thanks Gil
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: Two Level Fusion Definitely.....you crack me up Gil!!!
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: Two Level Fusion "Katie: With four bad levels I would not be a candidate for ADR due to Two previous surgeries. I would like to send my information to Dr Pimenta. Would he review and give me options on surgery? He said with the FDA a hybird with four levels is not possible."
Gil, I missed this earlier. Do you mean that Dr. P said that four levels with a hybrid were not possible because of the FDA? Because the ADR I had implanted in Brazil was not FDA approved in the US yet. That's one of the reasons I went to Brazil...we weren't hindered by that. I think the NeoDisc that he used on me is in trials in the US right now...can someone confirm or straighten me out on that?
I know going all that way seems impossible, that it is cost prohibitive. But hear him out and maybe you can find a way...out-of-country surgery seemed like a black hole to me for a long time, but it all came together in the end.
And the best advice I can give you is to keep your options and mind open to what this surgeon has to offer. While it might not be exactly what you want, it may just turn out to be the best for you in the long run.
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
Re: Two Level Fusion Gil, this is very good advice from Katie, imho. I wish you clarity and peace of mind as you continue your research and hunt for the very best solution for YOU. God bless, CL
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: Two Level Fusion
Dr B would do possible four levels with outcome of a disco testfor only $ 69.000
Sent everything to Dr P in Brazil now waiting still more
I am feeling pretty good doing P.T. and walking up hill.
Have a Great Weekend
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: Two Level Fusion Gotta love that old saying...patience is a virtue
Gil, I just have faith that something will come together for you, when you least expect it. After years of seemingly endless struggle, I was winging my way half way around the world just weeks after sending out my MRIs. That was two months after being told by the second last surgeon that having cervical surgery was incredibly dangerous, and I would be crazy to have anyone touch me.
I wasn't the crazy one.....
I'm SO glad that you are able to still handle those activities.Hang in there!
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
Re: Two Level Fusion Hang in there Gil. Hopefully, you'll hear from Dr. Pimenta soon. I'm glad that physical therapy is helping.
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, 17 years old: Laminotomy L4/L5
- 1999 & 2003: Motor Vehicle Accidents (not at fault both times) --> Grade V Annular Tears L4/L5 & L5/L6
- 11/15/2003, 23 years old: 2-Level ProDiscฎ L4/L5 & L5/L6*, *lumbosacral transitional vertebra --> Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli
- 4/2008: 4.5 years pain-free before "new" leg pain
- 5/14/2009, 29 years old: 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.
Re: Two Level Fusion Gil- Hang in there, you never know what may be offered and be possible for you. It will all work out somehow. Katie is a perfect example, her situation seemed hopeless, impossible, with the health system in Canada to her metal allergies; but she hung in there and found a solution. Sending hugs and prayers your way.
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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