My 3 mo X ray - Discs tilted all over the place

[Michelle Maree]

Well, we will see what pans out for Steve.I hope for his sake it goes well.

I hope he takes his ADR removal extremely seriously though, because it is,it is going to be a life and death situation for him, and he seriously needs to consider his potential quality of life thereafter.

Steve seems to be quite an impressionable man, and I am worried that he will be steered in a direction that will not have the best outcome for him in the end.
I do think that Dr. Bertagnoli is responsible for Steves problems because of the plain fact that a three level cervical prodisc is "experimental" is not approved in the USA, UK, Australia or from my knowledge anywhere but Germany where you seem to be able to do anything you want and not remain accountable for it.

So if this "experiment" has not been successfull, then whomever performed it should fix it , period!!!

And I believe this is precisely why Dr.Peloza and others like him dont want a bar of it.
Three levels have not been tested to be safe and replicatable for the general public.

And the fact that Germany is so far away assures this lack of accountability, in my mind. I mean, once Steve is in 10/10 pain again is he then going to organise a trip to Germany? Noooooo! He is going to accept the first offer he can, which is looking few and far between at this point.

It is starting to look like another "Anastacia" case.

And if I was him and could get back to Germany in time then I would and I would hurry!!!

[Michelle Maree]

Can I ask you BILL? Why you think Steve55 should NOT go back to Germany?

[Michelle Maree]

I would seriously doubt that Dr.Bertagnoli has any interest in fixing Steves neck at all!

I would urge everyone to read ANASTASIA'S JOURNEY-ADR HELL. Link below.

http://www.geocities.com/javanoginn/...tyasFamily.htm

I have said my piece and now I think I will speak on a forum that is not sponsored by prospine, has no alterior motives, is run by patients for patients, moderators dont assume alias', no money is being made off members and where everyone is welcome whether they got their operation in Stenum or Wherever.

Thankyou and goodbye.

[Bill1961]

Such a sad story, poor woman.

I feel bad we're going back and forth on this probably increasing Steve's stress level. Both case are very different (cervical vs. Lumbar), but it is a sad example how things can go wrong.

The main reason why I wouldn't go back to Germany:

We all take a chance with ADR, especially mulit level. If our "gamble" fails it may be time to stay home and get fixed with proper follow up. I would imagine a multi level fusion would require consistent follow ups to be sure everything is going as planned. This way if there are any problems they can be addressed immediately and by the surgeon who performed the surgery. Being seen by an overseas Dr. at this point really isn't practical in my opinion.

As I stated earlier on I am sure Steve is doing the proper research and coming up with a plan that will work for him and hopefully with great success.

As an FYI I have met a few 4 level cervical fusion patients all with great results and no pain. Great lateral movement ,minimal up and down. Living absolute normal lives. And given the choice again, recognizing they have multiple pathology they would do a fusion.

[steve55]

Interesting conversation here. Anyways,....soon after my last post, I remebered that I had saved "D" Magazine's edition of the best doctors in Dallas (as voted on by their peer physicians). And one of the handful of spine surgeons listed just so happens to be in my humana network. His name is Luis Mignucci. NeuroSpine Surgical Consultants - Luis A. Mignucci, M.D.

The only problem is that they are 3 weeks out for an appointment and despite my terrible situation and pain, apparently there is nothing they can do to bump me up or fit me in sooner. However, Im not giving up. I just faxed over a request to them once again asking that they find a way to work me in as I am in bad shape even with the Hydrocordone and ultracet. It even hurts to just walk.I explained I dont want to risk any permanent nerve damage by waiting so long to get in. We'll see what happens.

Interestingly enough, my current ortho said that based on what he sees in the films, I am in no immediate danger of any kind. He didnt seem worried at all. And like I said, he seems fairly on the ball too. I just think Dr Mignucci has better credentials and I trust him more because of that.


My plan is to ask Dr Mignucci for his honest opinion as to whether or not it is important that I only have this surgery done by the very most high caliber and experienced surgeons such as Bertagnoli and Regan or if any surgeon who is good at what they do will do. Bill may be absolutely right when he says that there is no need to have to travel so far and pay for these surgeons (bertagnoli and Regan) when this is basically a simple extraction and fusion procedure. I want to know if the cervical ADR extraction is a extremely risky and difficult process or if its a process that most of our local surgeons can handle. This Dr Mignucci has more than enough business and I would expect he will be very honest with me about that answer. As it stands now , I plan on having Dr Mignucci perform this surgery. Now, if he tells me, "Steve, this is a very complex and risky procedure such that you really need the absolute best surgeons such as bertagnoli and Regan" then I will take his word and go see Regan. But Im suspecting that a cervical ADR removal is something that any good surgeon can do. Though I will prefer that the surgeon have some experience at removing ADR's of course. I think its the lumbar that is so risky and complicated, not the cervical. We'll see.

As far as the reason fro Dr Peloza and TBI not taking my case on, its not due to their worry about this being 3 level and experimental. I dont buy it. I think its because they are resentful that I went overseas. As Mark said, they are indeed in competition with each other for the business. We must all remember that unfortunately, money turns the world and is at the source of all greed and selfishness. One reason that backs this theory up is that my current Ortho, Dr Mackenzie was very positive about wanting to perform this surgery, actually he was quite perky about it. I almost felt bad telling him "no" for now. And I suspect Dr Mignucci will be too, but we'll see. If Dr Mignucci does have the same desire to do this surgery as Dr Mackenzie, this will prove my theory with 100% certainty. That theory being that its nothing more than resentment that Dr Peloza and the TBI refused to take me on. Not only refusing to, both were quite rude to me. Dr Peloza wouldnt even answer my questions and neither was he willing to suggest a local surgeon. And if you may recall, Dr Ziglar at the TBI commented "oh, I remember you, you're the guy who went to germany". I think these doctors get really tissy about their former patients going to other doctors for a surgery instead of choosing them. I think its a total EGO thing. Its pretty sad.


Anyways, thanks for the comments folks.

[steve55]

Wow, I called into the physician asst (PA) and asked her if Dr Mignucci did ADR removals and how many prodiscs he has done. After all, I didnt want to wait 3 weeks only to find out that he didnt do these. Well She said he has done several on his own and has assitsed on several. I also advised the PA of my condition and that I had nerve pain and how it even hurt in the front of my shoulders to simply walk etc and that I was worried about potential permanent nerve damage by waiting 3 weeks in this condition. I advised that if the Doctor felt waiting 3 weeks to see me was going to be ok and that I was in no danger, that Id feel alot better about it. Well, she called me back and said he made time for me to come in on monday at 3pm!! WOW! So, Im in!! He surely knows I need this ADR out and it looks like he has no issues with doing the surgery. We'll see for sure this monday when I see him. But its looking more and more like these doctors simply resent a former patient going overseas for surgery once the patient has seen that doctor first. I guess its a slight to their egos. Many of them are sooo sensitive huh?

[Bill1961]

Steve,

That's great news. I hope he is more than willing and confident he can get your life back for you. Keep us posted. Unfortunately a draw back of ADR is that there is no closure. Problems can arise at anytime. So to know the DR.'s who are capable in adverse situations is a great benefit.

[steve55]

I saw Dr Mignucci yesterday, and man, does he ever want to go to town on my neck. LOL. He says I need to take out ALL three prodiscs and fuse at 3 levels. He specifically said that I dont have enough vertebrae left to support any prodiscs at the C5/6 to C6/7 vertebrae. He says the C5/6 disc keels will crack the vertebrae below it, and we need to fix it now in one surgery or else Ill just end up having another surgery later. He also noted significant bone spurs at C5/6 which he believes are causing my current problems also. I believe I even heard the word corpidectemy or something like that too. I do know it would involves accessing my spine from both the anterior and the posterior positions, maybe he wants to put plating on both sides, I didnt quite get it all. Ive heard posterior approaches are a bitch to heal from. And I havent heard good things about 3 level fusions, and lastly, he says we must use autograft, as in my own hip bone as it is the only way to assure proper fusion in this kind of extensive procedure.

The last doctor I saw, Dr Mackenzie simply went along with what I told him Dr B had said I needed which was a C6/7 ADR removal and fusion.

This Dr Mignucci has made Dallas' prestigious Best doctor list 4 years in a row. He is one of only 4 in there for spine surgeons, along with Dr Peloza. So, he is no fly weight and supposedly is one of the top dogs. So the fact he says I need such a major overhaul is concerning.

I plan to go ahead and get this mylogram done as he suggests, and then send his written recommendation along with the new Xrays, CT scan, and mylogram to Dr Regan and I think Im going to follow whatever advice Dr regan gives. ONe thing for sure, every doctor here I have seen all know who Dr Regan is, with Dr mackenzie saying Dr Regan would be who he'd go to if he had a back problem. I do believe Dr Regan will decide it for me. He will have more than enough in his hands to make a good decision.

Meanwhile, the pain level has gotten better lately, Ive had no pain attacks and the fornt of my shoulders dont hurt anymore when I walk. However, my forfingers of my right hand are now going numb by about 50%. This is a first for me.