[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Artificial Disc Replacement at L4-5 and ALIF at L5-S1

[Metalneck07]

Thank you girls for the great advice.I printed all your suggestions to have handy when Dr.Blumenthal's office gets back with me.Have what I feel is sufficent questions at this point to ask. And then I guess it's up to me to make peace with this whole thing. I think this is the hardest thing for me to overcome.I can have all the answers and research I need but I still have to make peace with it and know it's between God and me from the point on. I'm working on it very hard.
Thanks for all the input.
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[Katie]

From your signature it looks like you will be considering a fusion at L5/S1 also. There are a few questions I would ask about that too.

-What would he use as a filler between vertebrae. Your own donor bone from iliac crest or ???
-What other hardware would be used....rods, plates, etc?
-What approach would he use for both levels? I found that the minimally invasive way to be remarkably easy to recover from.
-Will he consider giving you an epidural during and for a day after surgery? It was incredible how little pain I had after my two level lumbar and one level cervical ADR. Personally I wouldn't have surgery again without it.

I am going to sound paranoid, but want to check with each and every patient about this....are you allergic to any jewelery? It was only because I couldn't wear anything but good gold that I bothered being tested for metal allergies and found out that I couldn't have any metal for spine surgery. I'm not the first.....

[Metalneck07]

Thanks Katie for the great questions !!:thumpup: I used a couple of them when I talked yesterday to my doctor's medical assistant. A couple I had the answer to allready.So far as the fusion he will be using BMP with cage system.He said he preferred this method best because it had the best results withf fusion.Second the incision will not me minimally invasive it will be roughly 5-6 inches done along a thin line.He has to have enough room to put the ADR device in place.And be able to get the fusion in place.It's not a the smallest incision but it's not the largest.As long as he has the room to get the job done right the size of the incision is ok with me.
I requested the Epidural definetly because I have had problems with past surgeries being able to get my pain under control.So hopefully this will be addressed. I have hardware allready in my cervical neck so I don't think an allergy to metal is an issue.But it's very nice of you to get the word out for the potential.I don't think alot of people would ever know that could be an issue.So thanks for the heads up.:thumpup: Thanks again for the great input !!
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[Justin]

Caitlin,

It's great to see that you are moving forward with your spine issues. As you know, spine problems can be down right overwhelming and exhausting. Making a surgical decision regarding your spine is a very difficult process. I've had to do this three times in the past and there comes a point where you ultimately have to trust your gut. Take heart that things will fall in place in good time and that your spine problems will soon be a memory of days past.

Hang in there.

[Metalneck07]

Thank you Justin for the words of encouragement I greatly appreciate it. I have to say that I feel very lucky to be surrounded by such a great group of people who are extremely informative and supportive. Support and information are the key in the journey to a better spine. I'm holding on strongly that this battle with my spine is not far
from the split in the road where I can finally press on in a new direction.
I wanted to ask you a question if you don't mind. I see from your signature that you had surgery in '03 with the Prodisk.I also see later you had surgery that was a dynamic stabilization . I was wondering about this do you still have the ADR in place? Was the dynamic stabilization possibly done because of the ADR surgery? Hope I'm not asking for information you would rather not give. I would greatly appreciate any information you would like to share on your surgery.
Thanks
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[Carson]

Hey, Caitlin. My latest reading has been an excellent book called Spine Disorders (2009) authored by two Mayo Clinic Drs. It's a costly book so I was happy to find this portion on new technology from the book. I linked the Charite' & ProDisc chapter below:

click -- New Technology in Spine Surgey

Book description: Co-written by a neurologist, Dr. J.D. Bartleson and a neurosurgeon, Dr. H. Gordan Deen this book was conceived from an annual course taught at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting by these highly respected authors. It is an interesting guide on the evaluation and treatment provided to patients with disorders of the cervical, dorsal, and lumbar spine. Based on a course , this volume gives concise descriptions of the anatomy of spine conditions; neurologic and physical findings; advice on diagnostic tests and when to order them; and medical and surgical treatment options.

Commonly performed spinal procedures are also described, including the rapidly changing field of minimally invasive surgery. Pitfalls of evaluating and treating spine patients are highlighted, along with advice on how to approach the patient who does not improve or worsens after spine surgery. Spine Disorders: Medical and Surgical Management is an essential purchase for all practitioners in this field.

[Metalneck07]

Thank you Carson for the great link to the Chapter on New Technology !!!!:thumpup: So much terrific information on many different new spine technology. I found the reveiw on the Charite and Prodisk very informative and certainetly helpful in researching before my surgery. I spoke `over the phone today with my surgeon we went over a whole bunch of questions I had.I came away with alot answered.So I feel I'm moving in a positive direction . Thank you again for the very useful information !!
Caitlin metalneck07

[Metalneck07]

Well the countdown starts now ! I'm one week away from my surgery. My mind is going at the speed of light with thoughts,feelings,things to do !! I think anxiety is getting the best of me.I feel sick dizzy head,weak legs ,exhausted but I can't sleep.I'm pretty sure it's stress on top of that I had a Root canal and Crown on Thursday after what was suppose to be a routine cleaning.(I have never had a cavity ever just braces BIG SHOCK ) Now my poor
mouth feels extremely offended by the assault !! So much to get done and to make sure the kids and our home is ready.Which has all fallen on my shoulders since my hubby is still out of state working until the night before we leave.
I know I should just take a deep breath it will get done and if not the world won't stop turning.I feel I have made the best decision to help my spine. I'm ready !!!!!!! I want to move on get back to the old me who gave my family a 100%.
Time to put on my Big Girl Pants (my Sister says I own plenty of them after all I have been thru in the recent years LOL) and get thru this week still standing and BRING ON TUESDAY !!
Caitlin aka Metalneck07

[ajj1001]

praying it goes well for. you. personally I would rate a root canal as pretty similar to spine surgery so you've a good idea of the pain level! I always say I would rather give birth than have root canal treatment.

[Hooch]

Caitlin,

Good luck.

If you don't mind, what was the surgeons opinion on putting a disc in there with facet hypertrophy already present? I'm facing a similar choice of operations in the coming weeks.

Again, best of luck to you!

Chris.