artificial disc surgery appointment #1 (Orthopedist)

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone:

Well as I promised Greg and (and I think Nick and forgive me as I

know there were others who's names I momentarily am having a brain

freeze), I promised I'd write after my first (of 2) appointments with

both the orthopedist (today) and the neurosurgeon (on the 20th--who

I've never met) regarding my having the new artificial disc surgery to

replace my L4/L5 disc. Well today was the appointment with the

orthopedist. I had last seen him in July. He had, at that time, told

me that if I lost the weight I'd gained (a whopping 65lbs) and got

back to my regular weight (I'm normally 5'9 and pretty thin) that I'd

make a great candidate for the surgery.

Needless to say, I was both excited and nerveous about todays

appointment, assuming that today I'd be finding out all the juicy

details about the artificial disc--well, er not exactly.

Both the doctor and his nurse were amazed---because, apparently, I'm

one of the very few of his patients who actually followed his advice.

They couldn't believe that I had lost weight--40lbs to be exact (which

wasn't easy, particualy becase I can't exercise). The doctor told me

that he wanted to see me back in February (when the rest of the weight

is off) to see if there will be any significant difference in my pain

levels (which there probably won't be but...) He told me that the

success rates with the artificial disc were proportionately high (he

said nearly 100%). He did say, however, that the only problem with

being part of a clinical trial is that those people are randomley

selected to either get artificial disc or fusion. Since I don't want

to have a fusion (his office is doing trials) I don't have to be part

of trials and can have artificial disc surgery.

I asked him about recovery compared to fusion. He said that people are

only in hospital for 2-3 days and recovery is a matter of weeks!!!!

The difference compared to fusion seems like night and day. Then again

we patients do know that doctors do tend to paint pretty rosy pictures

about surgery so....still, it sounds a hell of a lot better than

fusion so far!! There is physical therapy and the lengths are

dependent upon persons condition prior to surgery. For me (since I'm

unable to exercise now and not in the greatest shape I've been in but

not terrible shape either) I could expect probably 3 months.

When I asked about potential drawbacks he said that they don't know

how long the artificial discs last or even the details about replacing

them. The data only is about 15 yrs old (I think European). He asked

me if I'd checked out info on web. I told him I had and there was not

much info out there. He said that was because manufacturers hadn't

released much publicly yet (I mean aside from to the doctors).

Unfortunately, I didn't get much more than that. I did learn, however,

that, according to the doctor, that insurance will pay for the surgery

but not the disc (don't know how or the specifics).

Not sure how or even if that's helpful to anyone. Again, I have my

next appointment on December 20th with a Neurosurgeon (who I've never

met) who's also quite well known and doing the clinical trials. I'll

try to get more specifics at that appoint

[Guest guest]

> Hi everyone:

> Well as I promised Greg and (and I think Nick and forgive me

as I

> know there were others who's names I momentarily am having a brain

> freeze), I promised I'd write after my first (of 2) appointments

with

> both the orthopedist (today) and the neurosurgeon (on the 20th--

who

> I've never met) regarding my having the new artificial disc

surgery to

> replace my L4/L5 disc. Well today was the appointment with the

> orthopedist. I had last seen him in July. He had, at that time,

told

> me that if I lost the weight I'd gained (a whopping 65lbs) and got

> back to my regular weight (I'm normally 5'9 and pretty thin) that

I'd

> make a great candidate for the surgery.

> Needless to say, I was both excited and nerveous about todays

> appointment, assuming that today I'd be finding out all the juicy

> details about the artificial disc--well, er not exactly.

>

> Both the doctor and his nurse were amazed---because, apparently,

I'm

> one of the very few of his patients who actually followed his

advice.

> They couldn't believe that I had lost weight--40lbs to be exact

(which

> wasn't easy, particualy becase I can't exercise). The doctor told

me

> that he wanted to see me back in February (when the rest of the

weight

> is off) to see if there will be any significant difference in my

pain

> levels (which there probably won't be but...) He told me that the

> success rates with the artificial disc were proportionately high

(he

> said nearly 100%). He did say, however, that the only problem with

> being part of a clinical trial is that those people are randomley

> selected to either get artificial disc or fusion. Since I don't

want

> to have a fusion (his office is doing trials) I don't have to be

part

> of trials and can have artificial disc surgery.

>

> I asked him about recovery compared to fusion. He said that people

are

> only in hospital for 2-3 days and recovery is a matter of

weeks!!!!

> The difference compared to fusion seems like night and day. Then

again

> we patients do know that doctors do tend to paint pretty rosy

pictures

> about surgery so....still, it sounds a hell of a lot better than

> fusion so far!! There is physical therapy and the lengths are

> dependent upon persons condition prior to surgery. For me (since

I'm

> unable to exercise now and not in the greatest shape I've been in

but

> not terrible shape either) I could expect probably 3 months.

>

> When I asked about potential drawbacks he said that they don't

know

> how long the artificial discs last or even the details about

replacing

> them. The data only is about 15 yrs old (I think European). He

asked

> me if I'd checked out info on web. I told him I had and there was

not

> much info out there. He said that was because manufacturers hadn't

> released much publicly yet (I mean aside from to the doctors).

>

> Unfortunately, I didn't get much more than that. I did learn,

however,

> that, according to the doctor, that insurance will pay for the

surgery

> but not the disc (don't know how or the specifics).

>

> Not sure how or even if that's helpful to anyone. Again, I have my

> next appointment on December 20th with a Neurosurgeon (who I've

never

> met) who's also quite well known and doing the clinical trials.

I'll

> try to get more specifics at that appoint

Trying to stay physically active and lose weight with back problems

is like Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder playing tennis together. I

really like the idea of artificial discs then bone bank. I like even

more the endoscopic procedure. Well hang in their and let us know

how you make out. Also stick to what the Neuro says, they are more

realistic in precision and pain.

-Nick

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm alittle new here, so hi everyone. Glad your appointment day has come and

gone... it seems like trading one stress for another, huh? I hate ALL of the

waiting and wondering. I'm glad it mostly went well for ya, though, and congrads

on the weight loss! We have a little something in common... I see my

neurosurgeon on the 20th as well... I haven't met him yet, but he has published

articles pretty specific to my type of symptoms, and I am hopeful he can really

help me get into shape...(I can't say back into shape, because I was born out of

wack, and they are just now putting the picture together... it only took them 32

years to do it, even though I've had scoliosis since age 5, extreme urinary pain

since nearly birth, and so many other hints... I had my first T & L spine MRI

about a month ago... I demanded it in 1997, but they chose to do abdominal MRI

instead. Since, two head MRI have also been done, as well as a lumbar

sympathetic block, and come to find out the problem is thoracic (T5-6, T7-8, &

T8-9)... some doctors could not find their own butt in the dark!) It's sad that

there is no real standard for patients like us, because they should have been

evaluating my spine since I was a little girl, but they didn't, and now my

problems are much harder to approach.

It's also really a pain to have to practically get a medical degree to deal with

problems like ours. Nick ask about MRI and metal implants.... common mechanics

would suggest that the machine would have the ability to magnatize the metal

implants, and that does sound like it could be painful, and even not healthy, if

not really careful. One more eeeekkkkkk to add to the long list of eeekkkkkks...

:-) ....

Good luck with your appointment. My husband is going with me to mine, and that

helps so much. Hope you all have a good nights rest.

Gentle Hugs,

andreajae

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/5/02 5:39:36 PM, no_reply writes:

<< Trying to stay physically active and lose weight with back problems

is like Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder playing tennis together. I

really like the idea of artificial discs then bone bank. I like even

more the endoscopic procedure. Well hang in their and let us know

how you make out. Also stick to what the Neuro says, they are more

realistic in precision and pain.

>>

ROFLMAO. Now that's comedy. I haven't heard of the endoscopic procedure.

What's that all about? Also haven't heard of the artificial disc with bone

bank (whatever that is). Would love to know more about both. Glad you've

joined this group, Nick. Have desperately needed the giggles.

Robin

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Welcome to the group. Glad you're here and keep us updated. I'll be thinking

of you on the 20th when I'm at my appointment lol.

Robin

[Guest guest]

> ROFLMAO. Now that's comedy. I haven't heard of the endoscopic

procedure.

> What's that all about? Also haven't heard of the artificial disc

with bone

> bank (whatever that is). Would love to know more about both. Glad

you've

> joined this group, Nick. Have desperately needed the giggles.

>

> Robin

Hi Robin,

Glad you like humor too. A little levity is what keeps me going. For

cervical endoscopic disectomy (CED)Check out:

http://www.drschiffer.com/ced.htm

http://www.spinepaintreatment.com/procedures/ced.html

http://www.back.com/articles-minimally.html?mastbox=yep

Basically a less invasive procedure that allows " trimming " versus

complete removal.

or artificial discs:

http://www.artificialdisc.com/about.htm

They are discs man made for replacement.

The bone bank is slang for bones from a cadabor (dead person).

Hope this helps. Pleasure to be here.

Ciao, Nick

[Guest guest]

Nick:

Thanks for the info. ....and the humor. Be well.

Robin

[Guest guest]

:

From a not so petite (5'9 and made from sturdy stock) new friend, welcome. My

problem is low back (L4/L5) DDD. I had a torn disc which became shredded and

now is basically now gone (now just bone on bone). Sorry to hear about your

situation(s). Sounds like you've had it pretty rough for quite a long time.

Hope your doctor appt. goes well. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

Robin

[Guest guest]

Hi Robin,

Thanks for the warm welcome. This is all still quite confusing for me, and

having others to discuss it with is very helpful. I seem to be in a particularly

rare situation.

Dr. C. Welch (his bio is found at this web page...

http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/faculty/welch.html ) is my neurosurgeon. We

are hopeful that this will finally be the doctor that can help us put all the

pieces together, and understand better what we are dealing with.

My husband, Bob and I have been a couple 9 years. Shortly after we moved into

our first apartment I was rushed to the hospital, where we faced a ruptured

ectopic pregnancy, and my right tube and ovary had to be removed. Since then my

husband has treated me like a china doll... ever so breakable. I am petite, and

have always been fragile somewhat. I have never really exercised a day in my

life. My parents had to threaten me to make me go outside to play. My coaches in

school were willing to pay me if I'd just sit it out and not tell anyone... they

feared I'd throw up, pass out, or die on them, because I simply can not

exercise. Even yoga and low to no impact makes me hurt horribly.

Probably, much like you, I am ridiculously weak. Children are stronger than I,

and that is very embarrassing. I have been known to nearly panic because I could

not open doors to get out of stores, and some electric doors at grocery stores

use to not open for me, and a very frustrated 30 year old woman jumping up and

down trying to get in is not a pretty picture... :-) .... It seems that most

stores have gotten better detectors in the past couple of years, thank goodness!

My dear sweet husband will laugh with me over this kind of thing, but never

laughs at me... He is a very good friend.

We found out about the thoracic disc herniations only about a month ago, and it

really seems that most of my problems can be related to this. Does anyone else

here have problems at T5-6, T7-8, and T8-9? Mine is worst at T7-8, and they are

all small and central. The T7-8 and T8-9 are touching the spinal cord, but

thankfully I have no stenosis or calcifaction. I have scoliosis that seems to be

congential, and my curve also includes a slight twist at the thoracic level. My

common sense tells me this has to have something to do with the herniations. I

don't really look like I have scoliosis, and some doctors have not been able to

find it on exam, but under x-ray it is a moderate s-curve. My highest cervical

section does not have the natual curve and rises straight up at my neck, and my

scarum (I think that's right) the part below the lumbar does not curve under

well, and stick straight out. Possibly bracing could have helped in childhood,

but possibly not. My cervical spine has not been looked at, but I'm sure he will

want to do that when I go on the 20th. We are also going through the cancer

tests to eliminate that as a possibility begining next tuesday, and I feel

pretty good that those test will come out fine, but better safe than sorry. All

of this is such a joy to deal with over the holidays, but we have delt with it

year after year for so long that it is almost normal-like.

Very best wishes with your visit... What do you expect to come of your visit?

I'll be thinking of you also, and hoping that everyone involved will be blessed

with wisdom, and that the problems will be revealed and understood and solutions

will be possible. I hope that the wait will be peaceful, and between now and

then the pain levels will be at their lowest! Take care....

Gentle Hugs,

andreajae