Hi Paul and welcome,
We are here to support and help educate you. I'm glad you found us.
You have a lot to learn.
The first thing is that not all doctors are created equal. A doctor who does not 'believe' in ADRs is not likely to recommend them, even if it is your best course of action. Unless there's a reason you are not a candidate, a fusion may be too drastic, especially for your age.
I too had a disco/lami at S1/L5 which stated the degeneration process up my spine. A second surgery 8 years later at L4/5 sealed my spinal fate. Less than 1 year later, 4 levels were degenerated. A third surgery, disco/lami, was recommended though with only about a 5% chance of success. I found these forums and had a 3 level ADR 3 1/2 years ago. I got my life back. My doctor never even told me about ADRs. What does this have to do with you? Your choice of doctors has a direct bearing on your outcome. Getting second and third opinions are in your best interest. Choosing doctors that perform both ADR surgery and fusions will get you an honest opinion. Choosing a doctor who only wants another ADR notch in his scalpel has only his best interests in mind, not yours. So where do you live, perhaps someone can recommend a doctor in your area.
Then again, depending on your financial circumstances, you may be limited in your choices. Most of us had to pay for our ADRs out of our own pockets. In California, dipping into your home’s equity is a more viable solution than in other parts of the country. What insurance do you have? Some are coming around but a 2 level lumbar ADR is a tough one. Are you willing to travel? Dr.s Bertagnoli and Zeegers, both in Germany are the two best ADR surgeons in the world. Another benefit is the cost in Germany is much less than a self pay in the US. Language with either of these doctors is not a problem. If you’re interested in a consult with them, please contact Mark,
GPN Artificial Disc Replacement ADR Mark may also have other suggestions for you and calling him is a good idea regardless. For me, he unwound the maze you now find yourself in. There are other great doctors in the US if money is not a concern or your ins co will pay for this.
Go ahead and get that new MRI and x-rays but don’t leave them with your doctor. You’ll need them for any other consultations.
You need to understand that ADRs were designed as motion preserving. Fusions prohibit movement, forcing adjacent segments to bear additional burdens, often hastening further degeneration, which causes more pain, more surgery, which then affects those adjacent segments and so on. You’ve already had a taste of this by compromising S1/L5 with a lami 7 years ago and now L4/5 needs one too. Degenerative disc disease can crawl up your spine. I don’t mean to scare you but that is what happened to me. One (1994) led to two (2002) which led to four (2003) degenerated discs.
Paul, ask questions, educate yourself and don’t settle for anything you don’t understand. This is your spine and you have a right to make an informed decision regarding your own health.
We are here for you. You’ll get honest opinions. Often we all agree, sometimes not. It will up to you to decide what is in your best interests. Ask us questions. Ask your doctors. Demand explanations until you understand. If your doctor dismisses you, find another one. ‘There, there now. Everything will be OK’ is not good enough.
I wish you a lot of luck as you begin this journey. With all of us, it started the same way. My only regret is not knowing about ADRs sooner. And once again may I say, thank-you Mark.
Dale