Re: Have you had back surgery? - Jami

[Guest guest]

Jami -

I'm just curious as to why you're so keen on a disk replacement

instead of a fusion?

As I recall, you're having the surgery done on L5-S1, right?

Usually, the disk replacement is only beneficial over a fusion to

maintain better flexion in the disk space being replaced/fused. The

L5-S1 space isn't all that flexible to begin with.

The replacement disks are more critical for disks in the neck, for

example, where we really do a lot of bending and twisting, and where

being fused really limits our range of motion. That's not really as

much of a problem for the bottom lumbar disk. Sure, there's a little

bit of bend there, but not a lot.

If you actually look at the medical journals themselves, at the meta-

analyses of the research on the replacement disks, you'll find the

results aren't all that encouraging for the replacement disks as an

alternative to fusions on *other* criteria than maintaining

flexibility.

First of all, the research isn't particularly good on the disks - it's

all conducted by the disk makers themselves (can you say " bias " !) and

it doesn't use randomized trials which is absolutely necessary to

valid research.

More importantly, the research hasn't shown that the disks result in

any better pain relief than fusions, and all the studies to date

actually show the replacement disks are NO better than fusions in

providing any better protection of the adjacent disks from future

degeneration, which was one thing they tried to claim early on.

Certainly the technology for the replacement disks is improving all

the time, but they are still VERY new comparatively. I personally

would be really hesitant to have one put in, given what I've read and

heard from the medical community. JMO. In this case, your insurance

may actually be acting in your best interests!

Just thought maybe you'd want to know some of these facts, as you

continue to investigate your options on fusions vs disk replacements.

Take the time to look into the medical journals themselves. Talk to

*several* specialists, especially at a research university who know

the latest studies, and ask the right questions - not just the one

neurosurgeon who would love to get his hands on a guinea pig and earn

a big fee playing with the latest technology.

You may have already done all this and already made up your mind, but

I wanted to share this just in case you weren't aware...I have only

your best interests at heart.

Whatever you decide, I'm here for you and will support you when you go

through with the surgery! And I'm hoping for the best possible

outcome and relief for your pain.

Cheryl in AZ

Jami <jchism@w...> wrote:

now just fighting insurance co. to give me a disk replacement rather than

fusion....