Met with Dr Pettine

[james]

wow, you can walk 3 miles? This is awesome. If I can walk one mile I have no complain whatsoever.

[newhere]

Originally Posted by james

wow, you can walk 3 miles? This is awesome. If I can walk one mile I have no complain whatsoever.

same here...canot stand or walk long distances...
sam like u i have DDD l4 l5 annular tear...already 10 years

[Hooch]

Gday Gil,

Pretty terrible situation, feeling like you're headed towards disability? I know there is always someone worse but sometimes that's like being thankful for being kicked in the guts and not the nuts. I could do a lot of stuff pre-op, but only through pretty full on pain.

It's a huge surgery, 4 levels. I'd echo Maria's comments that pain meds to get you through in the meantime may help a little... no good being just on Advil.

I hope your family can find a way out.

[dshobbies]

Gil,

And around and around we go.

I think you know how many of us feel about Stenum. I'd stay away.

Not crazy about the 4 level fusion, if avoidable.

2 level fusion with 2 adrs on top - not sure I'd fuse L4/5 if avoidable.

fusion, adr, fusion adr might be best if you can't get a 4 level adr. How about fusion with 3 adrs on top?

I've read other posts about WC and how the wheels turn slowly. You always have the option of legal assistance. What about legal aid? Would the threat of legal action push things along or would you then have to actually act on it?

I'm exhausted just thinking about your fight. I remember mine 5 1/2 years ago. You'd think we'd be further along by now!

[Maria]

Hey Gil,
My experience w/the insurance carrier I had w/WC would only auth surgery in the states. If I went outside the country I would have had to settle benefits and take cash w/no future medical. Future medical is covering next to nothing anyway now so it may have been something had I known then I wouldn't have thought so important to keep in place then again hindsight is 20/20 as everyone knows.

I don't like the idea of a four level fusion. The idea of two on the bottom fused and maybe 2 ADRs on top as Dale mentioned might work then again doubt that's something WC would auth.

If surgery is authorized here by WC then you decide you don't want to have it at least then the cash value should stick if you're settling out your bennies to go elsewhere. Always a thought. It's still cheaper I believe to do mult level whatever abroad then even 2 level fusion, ADR or hybrid here in the states unless someone is going to give you a cash deal.

good luck.. understand why your head is swimming...mine was once as well. I think everyone does when presented with so many options and limitations and just wants to make the best decision possible to try and get it right on one try.

[Gil Denis]

Hi All

The surgery order was just submitted to W.C. today it should take three to six weeks to be approved

Coflex has recently been approved by the FDA, lets hope it goes through? W.C. does not approve ADR it is considered experimental

Live goes on

Gil

[Gil Denis]

Hey All

Good news W.C has approved surgery with Dr Petinie in Loveland Colorado for Coflex at two levels L4-L5 and L5-S1 not sure how it is connected at L5-S1?
Will also install Staxx spacers at both levels not sure how they stay in place?
L2-L3 is not in great shape or is L3-L4 but they are not pain generators may never be or may get worse?

If and when the other levels go I may need more. This is the best I can do with no finances to go for the big surgery with ADR,

I will add more going to soccer to watch junior>

Gil

[james]

Originally Posted by newhere

same here...canot stand or walk long distances...
sam like u i have DDD l4 l5 annular tear...already 10 years

How much degeneration you have?
Has degeneration progress, or it is stable?
Are you good at other disc levels?
Are you going through any treatment?

[newhere]

Originally Posted by james

How much degeneration you have?
Has degeneration progress, or it is stable?
Are you good at other disc levels?
Are you going through any treatment?

i have degeneration type 3 look at the picture(http://www.chirogeek.com/Radial_Dallas_Discogram.gif)
i dont know for progress...have same filling almost 10 years...its not that i have pain all the time,only when i must walk or stand...
im good on other disc yeah...i had discogram for l3 l4 ...it was ok...negative...but l4 l5 showed annular tear and this dallas grade 3....it was paintfull!!!
i go to some exercises but doesent help so much....
feel free to ask anything cheers ...

[james]

Originally Posted by newhere

same here...canot stand or walk long distances...
sam like u i have DDD l4 l5 annular tear...already 10 years

I cannot walk/stand more than 10 minutes and cannot sit even a second. MRI only shows DDD at L4-L5.

[newhere]

Originally Posted by james

I cannot walk/stand more than 10 minutes and cannot sit even a second. MRI only shows DDD at L4-L5.

its not "only" that serious...
i also have allways DDD l4 l5 on MRI...then one dr perform discogram and now i know why i have pain...
did you made discogram???

[jsewell]

I don't really put much faith in MRI's as my hip one a few years ago showed a good right hip. My surgeon went in and discovered severe arthritis in the joint and the next step was a total joint replacement.
judy