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

[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.

[steve55]

Forgot to mention that Dr Mignucci did confirm what I always suspected all along about my C4/5 ADR. It aint movin at all. All my x rays whether I am looking up or down, all show this disc always in the same position which is the ADR closed on one side and opening up on the other side. Basically its not sitting right, and its not moving at all. Its acting like a fused disc in a sense. Dr Mignucci confirmed what I have always thought, only my middle ADR is functioning as it should as it does shows it settles in various positions based on different x rays shots.

[dshobbies]

Steve,

I feel so bad for you, facing another difficult surgery with the disadvantages of fusion.

I think the question still remains, are you going to go with Dr. R or will you allow the new Dr. M do your surgery with a consult from Dr. R? Also, when is the biggest question?

Well life is full of ups and downs. This is your down which I'm sure will be followed by a very long up.

You are very definitely in my thoughts, Dale

[steve55]

Thx Dale.

Dr B has offered to perform/assist my surgery in Michigan but the doc who it would run through doesnt carry my insurance so it will be at least $6K. I can go to Regan for $10K. My concern is follow up. The doc who would be doing the procedure with dr B in MI , well, Im not sure how good he is and if something goes wrong or I need additional diagnosis, I think Dr Regan would be the better local option. Every doc I see here knows who Dr Regan is!! And that says something. Dr B is the master at inserting multi level ADR's, but now when it comes to removing them, well, I think Dr Regan may even have more experience than Dr B from the research I have done. And after talking to Mark again, Im back to believing that a ADR removal isnt so straight forward as I thought and that you wouldnt want just any ole doctor who has done a few to perform it. So, Im reconsidering having a "IN network" doc do this just to save a little money.

So, in conclusion, I am leaning heavily towards paying the $10K and getting this done with what is probably not only the most experienced ADR removal surgeon in the world, but probably also one of the best all around spine surgeons in the world. I know Dr B is also a great all around surgeon, but again, I want good follow up locally here in the USA. Dr B is mostly in Germany so it doesnt work so well. Ever since this DR Mignucci has told me my issues now go far deeper than just a ADR removal, Im back to seeking a all around expert, not just a ADR expert.

Lastly, Kudos to DR B who is really trying hard to get me on the books with him here in the US. It shows he has interest in fixing me. Thats a sign of a caring doctor. I know some say he should fix it for free liek stenum, and maybe those people who say that have a point. BUt at the very least, Dr B is concerned with my well being and has a desire to rectify the situation.

[steve55]

Looks like the vertebrae is too thin between the 2nd and 2rd disc huh? Thats why the surgeoin here in Dallas says it wont hold and both ADR's , possibly all three have to come out. (SIgh). He says heis so certain about that, that he wont do my surgery with only removing and fusing the C6/7. ANyways, Im just now waiting on mark to try to confirm a phone Consult with Dr Regan so I can see whose opinion seems more correct. Dr B just says I only need to replace the subsided disc and the remaining thin vertebrae will hold fine. The dallas surgeon says gotta remove the thin vertebrae between the last 2 as no way it will hold. I hope Dr B's recommendation is right, and if it is, I would think Dr Regan's opinion will match up.

[SandyW]

Steve,

I''m amazed that you stil trust Dr. B. I'd feel the same too. He fixed me and so many others. He's human, don't know whether your problems are because of a mistake he made or just the one in ?? that can go wrong for some reason.

On the other hand, I think you are wise for getting a doc in the States. The only down side in having Dr. B do surgery is the fact it's too difficult to do follow up (unless you can afford lst class trips back and forth to Straubing). And because of the ego's of some of our surgeons (my initial doc told me he wouldn't touch me with a "ten foot pole! "I told you so!" when I wentforfollowupappointment- after a personal call from Dr. B asking him to see me.)Duh!

Dr. B seems to be cooperating and doing all he can for you. I don't imagine it would be easy for him to convince a hospital/doctor to let him do surgery here, I sure there's lots of red tape.

Back to your current problem - imho, I would still go with someone who is considered one of the best. You chose Dr. B for that reason, I say stick with Dr. Regan. You're not that far from Californiaand your spine is very, very important. I remember someone saying they's live in a tent if necessary to get the best treatment. Any way the best of every thing. God Bless and you're in my thoughts and prayers. Sandy