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

[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.

[dshobbies]

Yes Bob,

We all know your opinion and instead of offering anything constructive or positive, you choose only to provide negative and insulting posts. Though I usually refrain from these types of comments, you are not as asset to this forum or those posting here.

I believe Steve has made his point of view perfectly clear and if he or his 'medical tour guide' honestly believed an error was made and that this was not just an unfortunate happinstance as opposed to medical misjudgment, they both would be just as forthcoming.

Your posts serve no purpose here. This forum is about an exchange of ideas, suggestions and support. You provide neither. Your only purpose to post is to insult. You are the one not contrbuting to the well being of anyone, be it a spine patient or otherwise, for very selfish reasons. Negative criticism is useful when provided for the betterment of other posters but not when used for spite and maliciousness.

Mark, I know you don't taking banning posters lightly but this man contributes nothing close to the intent of this forum.

[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

[dshobbies]

Bob,

I do not object to you expressing your opinion and/or suggestions as long as your intent is constructive. Unfortunately, your digs against Mark appear alongside your heartfelt compassion. You don't have to like the man or agree with his politics but as I've asked before, if you want to insult him, please do so privately. As Kathy stated, mean statements are hurtful. I would ask and expect the same decency from anyone posting on a public forum.

You should also know that I have absolutely no involvement with this forum other than as a member, just like you. My objections to your posts are as a reader, nothing more, nothing less. I would offer the same objections when directed against anyone.

Your motives do not appear to be altruistic. If you would like to discuss this further, please either PM me or start a new thread. And if you'd truly like to share your story with others, please leave out the offensive comments. I believe we'd all like to know how you're doing.

Dale