[ADRJen]

Originally Posted by Original post Sept 8, 2003
SURGERY DATE: Aug. 8, 2003

AGE AT SURGERY DATE:

SURGEON: Dr.Ritter-Lang + Dr. Zechel

SURGERY LOCATION/CLINIC:Stenum Hospital, Bremen, Germany

DEVICE(s) LEVEL(s):1 at L5S1

COST =
AMOUNT BILLED: $21,000 EURO
INSURANCE ALLOWED: none
OUT OF POCKET:all
TRAVEL: $2000
EXPLANATIONS?


ONSET OF LUMBAR PROBLEMS, DATE OF INJURY, CAUSE, ETC...: 1988 when I was "adjusted" by a chriopractor for a pinched nerve in neck

PRIOR SPINE SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES : Lots of PT, ESI's and Facet Rhizotomy

PRE-OP MEDICATIONS: Anti-inflams and Percocet

PRI-OP DIAGNOSTICS: MRI + diognostic injections

PRE-OP NEUROPATHIES : tingling/pins + needles in toe and outer thigh

PRE-OP CONDITION: Mostly back pain, much worse when standing, sitting, walking. Pain level 6 -7

TIME POST-OP AT ORIGINAL POST HERE: 1 month

DESCRIBE YOUR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE:

RATE FUNCTIONALITY / SATISFACTION AT INTERVALS BELOW:

FUNCTIONALITY:
1. Very poor: much worse... disabled after surgery.
2. Poor: worse after surgery.
3. Neutral: No improvement, or improvements offset by new problems.
4. Fair, some improvement, limitations are still serious.
5. Good, substantial improvement, some limitations.
6. Excellent: no limitations.

SATISFACTION:
1. Very sorry I had the surgery.
2. Somewhat sorry I had the surgery.
3. Too soon to tell, or I'm ambivalent about the surgery.
4. I'm somewhat glad I did my surgery.
5. I'm very glad I did my surgery.

1 MONTH POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):
Rated at #4 (Fair)but at least no leg pain. Back pain much improved when sitting but not much improvement when standing/walking. Still on anti-inflams and at least 1 Percocet/day. I can see on xray that Charite is implanted correctly so I'm hoping I'm having surgical pain and not another issue. Time will tell!

6 WEEKS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

3 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]): I'm actually at 4 months as of this writing. I'm doing great! Rate Functionality at 5 and satisfaction at 6. There are times when I don't even think about my back for over an hour at a time. I've been off Percocet for over 2 months, still take Motrin once or 2ce a day. Having some Periformas and hip pain when sitting, but that too is getting better. I'm not 100%, but I'd guess around 70%.

6 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]): Life is great. Still not 100%, but better than I ever hoped. Still numbness when sitting for too long in leg, butt and sometimes foot (right side only), but it's now more annoying than painful.

1 YEAR POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

2 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

3 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

4 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

5 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]): Wow, I can't believe it's been almost 5 years. I'm doing great. My only issue is arthritic facet joints. I have arthritis in my hands and feet, so I'm not surprised it's in my back too. I rarely have numbness any more. Occasionally if I sit too long, but not very often. Back hurts if I bend over weeding, cleaning, etc., but goes away quickly. No major issues...hope it lasts forever!

6 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

7 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):