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Reply With QuoteWithout medication, as near as I can figure, probably around 5,000. I have not had any surgeries as yet. I am sure that figure will jump once I have been under the knife.
Less than $1000
$1000 - $5000
$5000 - $10,000
$10,000 - $20,000
$20,000 - $30,000
$30,000 - $50,000
Greater than $50,000
This is a discussion on How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? within the Spine Patient Support: Body, Mind & Spirit forums, part of the Social and Support Forums category; Originally Posted by carmenuch I would like to take my vote back since I did not include my massages. I ...
Re: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? I didn't go to Dr. B. I went to Miami, FL for my disc replacement. There are many on here who went to Stenum and various doctors throughout the US.Originally Posted by carmenuch
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!
Re: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? Without medication, as near as I can figure, probably around 5,000. I have not had any surgeries as yet. I am sure that figure will jump once I have been under the knife.
Re: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? Were you happy with the results? Carmenuch
Re: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? Carmen, I fixed your vote.Without medication, as near as I can figure, probably around 5,000. I have not had any surgeries as yet. I am sure that figure will jump once I have been under the knife.
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: 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
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: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? I haven't added it all up specifically, but just a rough estimate that covers all the traveling to surgeons, etc. both in and out of country for consults, it was probably just over $6000.
Most of my medication is covered by group insurance, but even the 20% co-pay adds up after awhile, plus the acupuncture, etc. I reached my limit on those treatments really quickly, then we have to pay full price.
Luckily we are able to deduct a set amount for every mile we travel to doctors' appointments on our Income Tax here. Do you have the same in other countries? Every little bit helps.
Oh yes, and then there's the new bed like Alison mentioned, with foam toppers to try and get a decent night's sleep....how I wish I could get a hot tub or something theraputic, but it's not in the budget.
Maybe we should include lost wages as well? Or would that really put it over the top?
This is an interesting thread Justin.
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: How much did you spend on your spine in 2009? I haven't specifically added all my expenses up.....yuck......not sure I want to. I would guess, if I am including insurance deductibles, co-pays, physical therapy, massages, etc.....my out-of-pocket would be close to $10,000. This latest surgery, the SI Joint Fusion, my insurance did ultimately cover, but they wouldn't pay for the screw. Now isn't that a kick? Most fusions involve some kind of hardware. Anyway, that one screw cost me $2,000!
• 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
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