Our story: from 2 surgeries to becoming an "invalid"...

[Kathy]

Keano,
Sorry to hear about your continued back problems. Many from the US travel to Germany to see surgeons for ADR's. There is the above mentioned dr and there are also great surgeons at Stenum. We have several members who have went to either of these places and all had great success. If you don't mind telling us, who was the dr that did the original surgery?
Kathy

[Keano16]

@dshobbies
No, I live in Easter Europe, Croatia.

I've heard interesting facts regarding ADR, I am not sure what our current neurosurgeon will tell me about it, I will for sure ask him when I see him.

I am not such a fan of fusion, I am scared of crews and theese kinds of things. ADR sounds much better and less invasive.

I've tried to reach Dr. Bertagnoli, and I've reached his associate Dr. Fenk-Meyer. I've shortly described them our situation, but they requested 250 EURO just to review our case, which is in this situation and recession - TOO much for us to afford just for wireless review. I know Dr. B and his associate are recpected and world-class doctors, but I expected more compassion and humanity in their reply, I thought they would be happy to help me after so much troubles I went through.

@ Kathy
My original neurosurgeon was Dr. Josip Paladino, most probably you never heard of him, but he is very respected in my countries and our neighbours. He makes surgeries on presidents, ministries, famous sportsmen, stars, celebs, etc. Everyone told nice things about him, but in our case it was disaster.
My new neurosurgeon is something else, I trust him so much but yet I am afraid what will happen with me at the end.

Thanks for understanding and advices.

[mmglobal]

Keano16,

I'm sorry to read more of these details. I'm not sure I understand why 2 decompression surgeries then ongoing low back pain would make you a 'no hoper' with no surgical alternatives. If the disc(s) are causing disabling pain (as mine were after my 2 decompression surgeries), then the options of ADR or even fusion will stand a good chance of resolving the pain. You may have permanent issues following your surgeries, but hopefully, you'll discover the discs themselves are painful.

Have you had discography?

All the best,

Mark

[Katie]

Keano, I'm sorry you are going through so much. It is bad enough to have the initial pain, but to then still suffer after surgery that you though would help is even worse.

As to the annular tear, please have a look at dridobits' posts here. She has an annular tear too, and the results are what she calls a chemical burn, I think. I would have to go back and read it myself to be sure. She describes terrible pain from this too. Perhaps write to her and get some more details, and compare notes. She is very nice and great to talk to.

I have to agree with you, probably against the opinions of most others here, about being charged so much to just have the MRIs assessed. I think they are some of the few surgeons that do that. I know my experience with several other big name surgeons did not involve any money...they went over my images at no charge. The resulting four hour in person consult did cost, but that is different from the initial appraisal. But you have to play by their rules, I guess. We can chat more if you like, through a PM.

It is very difficult when funds are limited. Most of us are in that same boat unfortunately, at one level or another. But keep pushing to at least find the right decision for you, and then when you have a positive path, sometimes the rest falls into place easier. Sorry if I sound like I'm rambling...not a good morning.

[Keano16]

@mmglobal
Yes, discography shown damaged discs from L2 to L5, but L4/5 is the problem...
Also prooven by discography, HIZ on L4/5 is most probable pain source.

@Katie
Yes, I've read many articles about annular tears and HIZ, even bought some articles, and now I know what we deal with.

Thanks.

[Keano16]

Now its a big decision to choose between ADR and fusion... If I will even have a chance to choose.

Not sure if ADR can be implemented in Croatia :-s.

[Maria]

A bit like my own in terms of results post 2nd spine surgery (2nd discectomy, first on L5S1 and 2nd on L4).. I was pretty much bedridden with severe low back pain and also disabling burning pain in buttocks, quads, lower legs, feet.

My old life was destroyed and altho more surgery has been offered of varying types I chose pain meds to mask the pain and lumbar ESIs..

Not that this is a way of life as it's more a way of existing tho thankfully w/less pain but if there's the opportunity to see the best and there are options then weigh them carefully.

I have an anular tear at L3 on discography shows the disc is disrupted but non cordant for pain, L4 and L5S1 are concordant for pain on 2 discograms.

While waiting to make my surgical decision I gathered enough opinions that were more or less recommending the same surgery however I've prolonged this waiting process a bit much..

Take a bit more time if you're able to get additional opinions if more surgery is recommended and it's not emergent to have surgery would be my advice. If you're able to travel and pay for the surgery that seems the most optimal then that would be my choice (not saying I can do this just would be my preference).