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

[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

[dshobbies]

Steve,

When I saw your post I was hoping for a surgical date, like next week!!!!!

I saw your MRI and my untrained eye didn't see the too small vertabre? But than again, I did mention my untrained eye and Lyrica played havoc with my eyesight anyway.

I hope Regan responds soon... you need to get this done.

Dale

[Bill1961]

Steve,

If the vertebrae are now "thin" one question you may want to ask... Is the surface of the vertebrae now to small for the ADR in place?

[mmglobal]

If the picture you uploaded is being used to demonstrate the 'thin' vertebrae, then we need to understand what we are looking at. That image is not a good a/p view of the area we are trying to see. It is very oblique.

If you think of plates for the prostheses like coins, when you are taking an a/p view, you want to see the image of the prostheses from an angle that shows a 'horizontal' view of the plates. If you take a picture of a quarter from a horizontal view (from the level of the table, with the quarter laying flat on the table; it will look like a line. If you take a top view, it will look like a circle. If you take an oblique view it will look like an oval.

When you are looking at an oblique view, there is no telling how those plates are sitting on the vertebral bodies.... you can't tell.

mark

[trkdoc714]

This will probably upset some people but here's my humble opinion:

First of all this is advice I would give to my son or my brother and it's intended to assist you in putting an end to your pain.

Why would you want to continue down the same path that's led you to where you are now? Your original surgeon has obviously turned his back on you. You went there for a 2 level and he gave you 3. The pathology may or may not have been present to perform such a risky surgery but especially with an unproven device (Nova). You also keep going to the same people for advice. These are the same people that aimed you down the path you're on now.

The process to implant both ProDisc and the Maverick both destroy bone to be implanted. The Nova destroys twice as much since it has two keels. The bone on 6 vertebral surfaces has been severely damaged and weakened the structures. I would hope a competent surgeon (and his medical tour guide) would have the character to admit their errors and point you in the direction to get you healed and not a direction to save them the embarrassment of having to admit fault.

I don't post here very often as I'm sure most know of my opinion and disdain of the purpose of this forum being for a business opportunity and not the well being of spine patients.

Bob

5 Months, 5 Days from successful Maverick ADRs at L4/5 and L5/S1 at Stenum Hospital by Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang.

[Kathy]

Steve,
I haven't been on this site in months, therefore don't really know what all is going on with your spine. I don't have time to read the whole thread; but will later. I just wanted to let you know that I live very close to you and would be more than willing to help you in anyway I can. Please send me a pm and I will do whatever to help, if that involves an ear to listen, going to see a specialists with you, etc. I stay at home with my kids (one is in school 5 days a week, the other goes 2 days a week), so I'm available pretty much all the time.

To the group,
I would like to address what Bob said. I completely agree with him. I also haven't been on here or sharing my recovery story, because I felt like Dr. B was on a pedestal and that since I didn't use him that I didn't qualify to be in the "in group". I also had some mean things said to me by members of the forum. I have talked to other members who have had the same thing happen to them. Whether this is intentional or not, it is still hurtful. I think everyone needs to be hyper-aware that we are all looking for answers and though we may have the same issues, we are going to come up with different solutions, and we need to respect others decisions and support them regardless of who does their surgery, where it is done or what is done.

Just my opinion,
Kathy