Really Confused

[joejoe]

Well let me introduce myself, and let you know whats going on. My name is Joseph,im 41 years old. I work in the port of Los angeles. In 2004 I was injured in a slip and fall accident. I had an 18mm disc herniation at L4-5, and a 10mm at L2-3. Had a laminectomy, discectomy at both levels. Recovered pretty well from that, and started enjoying life again. Took about 2 years. Then at the end of last year, I was involved in a auto accident. I have 3 herniated discs in my neck. Had some epidurals that seemed to help with those. My lumbar has herniated discs at all 4 levels. 6mmL1-2, 4mm L2-3, 3mm L3-4, and 6mm L4-5. I just had a discogram and 1-2,2-3,and 4-5 are all bad. My Dr. is Rick Delamarter. When he looked at my MRI he thought i might need a double level fusion at 1-2, and 2-3, and replace the disc at 4-5. I see him Monday to go over the results of the discogram. I believe i have one of the best Dr.s around. Im just really confused about the disc replacement. I believe he will use the Pro DiscL. Ive read alot of comments on the pro disc, there are alot of differnt opinions on it. Ive read alot of horror stories, and alot of great recovery stories. Does anybody have any experience with this Dr, and any suggestions or comments about this surgery. im really confused. Im also tired of living in constant pain.

[Maria]

Hi Joe,
I've seen Dr.Delamarter for my my lumbar spine and was going to utilize him to do either a 2 level disc replacement or a few years later a hybrid surgery with fusion at L5S1 and disc replacement at L4. I was always concerned about 2 other things and that was vertebroplasty because I had osteopenia (now osteoporosis) and this isn't offered in the US and I had and probably still have disc disruption at L3 which wasn't concordant for pain on 2 out of 3 discograms but I wondered what would happen to L3 after surgery on L4 and L5S1.

Dr.Delamarter has a great reputation here in SoCal and there are plenty of people that have had surgery with him and are pleased so I'm sure a few will contribute some input here.

It sounds like you're in good hands tho I always like to get a 2nd and even 3rd oinion when it comes to spine surgery. It's such a big step especially with so many levels involved.

Make sure you get a Bone Mineral Density test done no matter what anyone says. Just because you're 41 and male doesn't mean you couldn't have bone density problems so just make sure you don't before undergoing any surgery of mulitple level magnitude.

Wishing you the absolute best with whatever you do.

[Gil Denis]

Hi Joe

Welcome

I agree with Maria about getting a bone density test, they are painless.Also getting more opinions Dr Regan is close by with a great reputation.

Good Luck

Gil

[dshobbies]

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the forum. Ditto to Maria and Gil. You started off with one of L.A.'s top surgeons but it's still a good idea to get another opinion. Dr. Regan is quite well respected but don't be surprised if he tries to steal you as his own patient.

Also, please don't be put off by egos. These doctors are among the best and they know it! Remember, you want a great surgeon, not a new friend.

Good luck to you, Dale

[joejoe]

Thanks guys. Ive seen 4 different Doctors, and finally ended up on Delamarters Door step. Every doctor seems to have different ideas about whats wrong and what i will need. One Dr wanted to give me a morphine pump. The Dr that did my first 2 surgeries wanted to do a fusion. My wife suggested we get out of town and look at teaching hospitals. The doctors in my town are old and not doing any new procedures. A friend had seen Delamarter. After some research and talking to other people, I ended up with him as my Dr. I guess im just really nervous about having such a major surgery. Im seeing him tomorrow.

[Maria]

Hope your visit goes well. Keep us updated if you've time.