What kind of Fusion would be best for ME?

[Susanna]

Hi everyone,
I'm doing the best I can to get the information right. I have dug out a dictated letter from one of my neurologist who does the injections to the surgeon that does the major surgery's.

I now know that my bad disk is the L5/S1. They have done a Mircodisctomy, bi-laterally on 2/4/10. This helped my leg pain for about 2 weeks and then it re-ruptured one night when I was sleeping. This was done from the back.

The doctor left on vacation and the acting doctor put me on bedrest to see if it would calm down with steroids. NOT!
Then I had an injection which worked to relieve my symptoms and they sent me to PT and my pain returned. They gave me another injection in May so that I could go see my daughter in WI and it lasted 3 weeks and now I'm in more pain then I have ever been in.

So what else can I tell you? And what can you tell me?

Susanna

[Keano16]

It's hard to say. Or better said, we are not competent to say "This is THE best for your case".

Based on some research this is what I can advise:
- go for minimally-invasive or less invasive approach (MAST),
- go for TLIF over PLIF (as it has certain advantages regarding nerve manipulation. You don't want your nerve damaged during fusion surgery),
- find a surgeon that knows to do variety of fusions including TLIF, XLIF, ALIF, PLIF. If he is educated for all types of fusions, they most probably he will be able to choose best option for your situation.

Regards.

[Susanna]

That is good advice, though I don't know if there are a lot of surgeons out there that actually do more than one type. I will ask the surgeon I've been working with what he does. I have been doing research all evening (and now into the early morning as it's now almost 2 am) on the subject. I admit to being a research addict.

I can't believe there is someone else up at this time of night! But now it's time to hit the sack! Please everyone say a prayer for my husband tomorrow (or today as it is!) He is interviewing in WI and we really need this job! We run out of money at the end of July.

Thanks!
Susanna

[Keano16]

Of course there are surgeons out there that do variety of procedures. Just research. Use SpineUniverse or SMISS search tools.

Of course I'm up, its 12 here (in Croatia) .

Regards

[Keano16]

Fingers crossed for your husband, of course.

[Cindylou]

haha.....yes, Keano16, I was going to remark to Susanna that you are in Croatia, but you beat me to it! Good advice to her as well. Susanna, hope your husband gets the job in Wisconsin! Keep us posted.....

[Justin]

I admit to being a research addict.

This will ultimately serve you well.

Please everyone say a prayer for my husband tomorrow (or today as it is!) He is interviewing in WI and we really need this job! We run out of money at the end of July.

Thanks!
Susanna

Susanna, give our best to your husband.
__________________

Susanna, have you had any recent imaging or a discogram (discography)?

[Greg]

Susana,

How did your husbands job interview go? Fingers are still crossed You mentioned before abot traveling to go see family in the lower 48. Would you be oppose to traveling for surgery as well or is that out of the question?

There is a new type of fusion being done that is claiming to be very minimumally invasive and from the video I watched it looks to be true. And I really like the way the vertbrae are held together as I dont think it coul get anymore secure than what they do (metal rod screwed straight throgh the center of the vertebrae.....pole in the middle connecting the two)

The procedure is the Trans1 AxiaLIF. I HIGLY recommend you check out their website and watch the video. I wish I had known about this as I just had an ALIF and would have been a great candidate for this.....oh well, whats done is done!

Here is the link to a thread about this procedure which has the link to the website. The link to the site takes you to the AxiLIF 2L section (L4-S1, not L5/S1) so make sure to click on the AxiaLIF tab on the let to see the procedure that would pertain to you if it is only one level you would need fused.

New trans one l4-s1 fusion

[Susanna]

You are all so wonderful and supportive. Not just for me, but for my husband and for his job interview. Thank you!
Audun said that he didn't feel like the job interview went very well. The job would mean a huge pay cut for us, but when you are out of a job, you do what you have to do. But they seemed skeptical that we would be willing to come there and work for that big of a salary cut. He tried to assure them that we were good with it. Then they made a comment on his age, (he is 52, but looks maybe 42 because he is very physically fit and does Ironman Triathlons) He told them he has lots of energy and that he does his training at 5 am and is done by 7 am. (It was rumored that his training took away from his work, which is ridiculous!) Then they said that they were concerned that he would leave after just 2 1/2 years to retire (because he is allowed to retire early in 2 years and 9 months). He assured them that he would full fill his contract with them and may even go on to take another promotion later. But this is such a stupid point as all contracts are only 3 years and ANY employee is available for promotion after 2-3 years. So what difference does it make if he decides to retire. Then they commented how it was interesting that the other candidate that they are interviewing could be more opposite, YOUNG, and INEXPERIENCED! So if they don't pick my husband, does this sound like age discrimination? My husband, as they told him in "no doubt, more than qualified" and is opposite from the other candidate, OLD.

Well we will know for sure by 1 pm tomorrow. It is all in God's hands.

I heard back from the trail that I was trying to get in, and they told me "You are still eligible for the study after having a discectomy or laminotomy. If you move forward with the surgery and continue to have back pain then we would be able to evaluate you in consultation 3 months from your surgery date." She said that I may not have pain after having one of these procedures but if I do, to contact her. So...maybe all hope for a disk replacement isn't lost. We will see.

Greg, I was on the internet and I think I came across that fusion last night. I found one that was from the side that I really liked but couldn't be done on L5/S1. Then I found one that is done through a fatty flap? or something and is done for that region. I am trying to find one that is really secure but also will minimize the damage to the muscles to the back or stomach. I don't mind traveling, I just need to make sure my insurance will cover it. And United Health Care is very picky about that. So if I go to a certain area, there are certain doctors that are "in-network" and I would need to use them or pay a lot more. So I would need to find someone that was "in-network" and did the procedure. Little to say, I HATE UNITED HEALTHCARE! The have been a great thorn in my side!

Well, I can't thank all of you enough. You are such a wonderful group of people! Thank you for caring about me! You don't even know me, yet I feel like you are family!

Susanna

[Cindylou]

Keep us posted on the job interview results for sure. How did this new company even know your husband did Ironman competitions anyway? His personal life is none of their business. Call me crazy after what you posted from the job interview, but I think your husband stands a very good chance of landing this job.