[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Failed Back Surgery Germany, Dr. Bertagnoli, Three Level Disc Replacement Pro-Disc L Lower Lumbar

[jamie5136]

As the title explains, earlier this year I went to Germany after emptying out my retirement funds to go alone to Germany for a three level lower lumbar replacement. Almost immediately, L3-L4 began to subside, so Dr. B injected cement in that level and the one below, but when I came back to the states, my sitting and laying down with my knees up was unbearable. I have had so many x-rays, MRI's and injection, but no relief. A patient advocate said, "Jamie, don't you see the substantial sinking at L5-S1! He has shown Dr. B this just the other day and he said he saw it. But why did it take 10 months to see this. I sent my x-rays to Germany since April and was told by his assistant that all was well-aligned. I suspected that lower level was the issue, but was told it was impossible for that level to sink, but it has and it is major. It obviously will need a revision. I am awaiting Dr. B's response. This could have been seen and corrected, but due to oversights it is too late, so I am sitting here in pain with a very crooked ADR. The other levels have held with the cement. So, I will need a fusion at that level at my cost. I feel like I should have just had a fusion at the beginning. My bone scan was fine, so why did this happen? Is it the device? I will keep everyone up to date, but at this point, I can't sit or lay down. And, my legs feel heavy. I am now broke, in pain and feel stupid for making this ADR decision. I wonder sometimes why this ADR is not approved for more than one level in the USA. I think I can see why now. I hope Dr. B helps me. Thanks. Sad that a layperson had to find this.

[Katie]

This has happened to one other person on the board. There was major sinking into the vertebrae on several levels, I believe, but I can't remember if it was lumbar or cervical. It was with Dr. B though.

Perhaps someone else will pop in and give you the exact details on this. It makes me ill that it has happened again. I think the reason given was because of an infection in the bone, but again, I could be wrong. Justin, can you pop in here and straighten me out?

My surgeon here was going to put in one or two levels of fusion at L5/S1 with ADR above, depending on what he found when he went in. However, he said that he always puts cement in while doing ADR, just as a precaution. I'm not sure what the statistics are for doing that.

I am so, so sorry that this has happened to you. Try to hang in and keep fighting to make it right.

[Justin]

Hi Jamie,

It is unfortunate that I have to welcome you to the Forum under such circumstances. I have a couple of questions:

• What kind of pain are you having? (I know you mentioned "heavy legs.")
• Has the lowest ADR demonstrated ongoing subsidence or has it "stabilized?"
• Are you currently seeing a physician for pain management?

I wish you the very best and we are here to support you.

[Justin]

Perhaps someone else will pop in and give you the exact details on this. It makes me ill that it has happened again. I think the reason given was because of an infection in the bone, but again, I could be wrong. Justin, can you pop in here and straighten me out?

I believe you are correct.

[ajj1001]

Welcome to the forum but really sorry to read about the problems you are having. Hope that you find a way forward soon.

[Fuzzy]

Having read the discussion on the other site there is a good chance the subsiding disc is not the reason for your pain as you had this pain pre op.
It is true at times it can take a (very) long time to heal but to try to track down the pain as have been doing it probably a good idea. I does seem that the problem is down low and at least the upper ADRs are ok. Research really really well before having a fusion as you might wake up and still have the problem!

[Justin]

Having read the discussion on the other site there is a good chance the subsiding disc is not the reason for your pain as you had this pain pre op.

It is true at times it can take a (very) long time to heal but to try to track down the pain as have been doing it probably a good idea. I does seem that the problem is down low and at least the upper ADRs are ok. Research really really well before having a fusion as you might wake up and still have the problem!

Fuzzy brings up a very important point: exhaustively work-up your pain generators before contemplating another surgery. Good luck.

[jamie5136]

This has happened to one other person on the board. There was major sinking into the vertebrae on several levels, I believe, but I can't remember if it was lumbar or cervical. It was with Dr. B though.

Perhaps someone else will pop in and give you the exact details on this. It makes me ill that it has happened again. I think the reason given was because of an infection in the bone, but again, I could be wrong. Justin, can you pop in here and straighten me out?

My surgeon here was going to put in one or two levels of fusion at L5/S1 with ADR above, depending on what he found when he went in. However, he said that he always puts cement in while doing ADR, just as a precaution. I'm not sure what the statistics are for doing that.

I am so, so sorry that this has happened to you. Try to hang in and keep fighting to make it right.

Yes, oddly enough, I know this guy personally as he lives in my city and we have gone out for coffee and discussed this situation in detail and indeed, once they went into his cervical area, an infection was present. From what he has reported to me after his revision in Wisconsin, he is doing great, which is so good to hear!

[jamie5136]

It is unfortunate that I have to welcome you to the Forum under such circumstances. I have a couple of questions:


What kind of pain are you having? (I know you mentioned "heavy legs.") Well, I had "some" sitting and disc pain before, but the sitting and laying pain increased by 50+ percent. Just recently, I have had some leg sciata issues.

Has the lowest ADR demonstrated ongoing subsidence or has it "stabilized?" The sinking began in April, but Dr. B's assistant did not inform me of this and it is now at a 14 degree tilt and in a neutral position. So, not sure if it has stopped sinking. I would have to ask them to compare the degree of tilt in April and then in July. However, I was told there was no problem with any of the discs sinking.

Are you currently seeing a physician for pain management? I have seen a few doctors for worthless injections and Dr. Gill gives me Hydrocodone, but I have not found anyone who I trust... I do take some Tramadol. I just hate the thought of pain meds. I would like the issue to at least be partially corrected and not be addicted to dangerous drugs. I know it should be controlled, but I try to stay with the mild stuff. The Hydrocodone makes me feel too good, but does not really address the burning nerve sitting/laying pain. Then I crash on it.

I wish you the very best and we are here to support you.

[jamie5136]

Having read the discussion on the other site there is a good chance the subsiding disc is not the reason for your pain as you had this pain pre op.
It is true at times it can take a (very) long time to heal but to try to track down the pain as have been doing it probably a good idea. I does seem that the problem is down low and at least the upper ADRs are ok. Research really really well before having a fusion as you might wake up and still have the problem!

You bring up my MAIN concern. Sadly, because the disc has sunk so deeply, it needs to be corrected with a DSS posterior and possibly anterior fusion, but yes, the pain "could" be coming from another place. This is why I had an SI joint injection, three ganglion impar injections and a facet joint injection... none helped at all. The ADR helped me regain all flexibility and I can walk for miles, but when I have to sit or lay down when anything is pressing on that L5-S1 area, it hurts badly. I have to work on my side. The surgery made this pain worse for some reason. And yes, the fusion could make it worse, but Dr. B said that if I don't do something about it, it could start affecting my facet joints, etc. This is all I know for now. I visit the Texas Back Institute on Monday to see what they say. It is a double edged sword. The sunken disc must be fixed, but it may not take care of the pain. In essence, my life sucks. I live in pain. My boyfriend wants to get married, but I feel like a disabled mess caught in an avalanche of pain and surgeries and politics. I just want my life back, or at least most of it. Sadly, this sinking started when I got back, but was not caught or seen.