Multi level ADR in women

[tisury]

Wow........I just lost a post that I sat here and typed. Have no idea how. But anyhow, no I feel like I am repeating myself.....lol

First, thanks to all who have responded. My impression from this friend (someone I met through another forum) is that there is a major problem with women and the multi level Prodisc according to trial data and that it is being pushed under the covers. That is why I figured my best bet at getting at true response was to come here and find actual people who have had the multi level procedure. They feel that the "weight" of the Prodiscs is contributing to her ongoing problems. I wish I knew more details. That is why I am here. I don't know if it is due to the smaller build of most women or their tendency to have more bone density issues. I just don't know what the reason is behind this statement.

As for my one level Flexicore - no one (including Dr. B or Dr. Zeegers) thinks there are any issues or failures of the ADR at L5-S1. I had many contradictory diagnosis before surgery as to whether I needed a one level, 2 level, or 3 level intervention. Also, contradictory discograms. One said only L34, one said only L5S1. The last discogram was used as the basis for the one level ADR at L5S1. Long, long, long story..........believe me. My pain is pretty much in the same areas and the same intensity as before my first surgery in 2004, so I personally believe that it was just always more than a one level problem.

About exchanging money at the airport or bank - did you get a decent exchange rate doing it there? Are there banks near the Straubing or Bogen facilities to do this or should you do it while you are in Munich? I really need to find time to sift through posts. The problem is I am trying to make it through one more tax season before I leave for Germany (the money will certainly help, if it doesn't kill me in the meantime). I had saved a lot of informational posts over the last couple of years, but my computer crashed the beginning of Jan and I lost ALOT of info. The really important stuff (correspondence with Dr. B and Dr. Fenk-Mayer) I had hard copies of or backups. But I really wish I had all that other info I had collected.

Sitting time is maxed out for now. Thanks again to everyone.

[dshobbies]

Tisury,

I hope there are no issues with multi-level Prodiscs is women!!!! I had 3. I do believe that Dr. Delamarter is an excellent surgeon but Dr. B has more multi-level experience than any other doctor so I would think that he is your go-to guy.

My own experience with my 3 level Pro-disc, during my surgery I had extreme distraction/nerve damage to my left leg, which at 17 months post-op has still not completely recovered, nor is it likely to. I'm still hoping but fascilmate daily between hope, anger and depair. Is it better to suffer with a bad leg vs. a bad back? Most definitely, but it is still a disability and one I was not aware of prior to my surgery. I thought any distraction damage I might suffer would be temporary but this can happen even with a single level and I would think is unrelated to the Prodisc per se.

My back is doing OK and I still have issues but more than anything, and I believe this is the single most important thing I can tell you, is that I have my life back. Though more limited than a 'normal' person, there is little I can't do, barring sky diving and skiing! (How was your trip guy and gals?)

Though a little late, I'd still be interesting in discovering any success rate variances between men and women... Mark?????

Good luck, Dale (I answered your other questions privately)

[Maria]

I've seen Dr.Delamarter and am in fact scheduled to have a Prodisc implant at L4 and fusion at L5S1. I believe he made arguement for it because of some changes at the facets but also maybe because WC would auth this procedure and it's considered to be viable for that level. I don't want hardware use tho...

I saw Dr.Regan in the same day, and as I recall he pretty much thought I could have either fusion or Prodisc at L5S1, didn't really make much of the facet findings...

I've not heard the multi-level prob theory via Dr.Delamarter upon consultation however maybe that's a newer train of thought than when I was last seen.

Would be interesting to hear if indeed he does think what was stated, and if so, why (data/followup leaning in this direction ?)??

[mmglobal]

I've been attending SAS, NASS, and many other spine conferences for 5 years now. I spend a ton of time with many of the best surgeons ADR surgeons in the world and when we meet, it's all spine all the time. I've not run the numbers, but I believe that the distribution of my spine friends and clients is about 50-50. I've never heard of issues with multi-level ADR being attributed to sex. (There can be some good jokes here, but I'm too tired now.)

I've seen a lot of presentations with very detailed breakdowns of results by all types of categories you can imagine and have not seen anyone suggest that sex is a significant factor (beyond the higher risk of osteoporosis in women.)

[tisury]

Thanks Dale. While being completely normal (although I have been told that's impossible cause I never was totally normal -lol) and totally pain free after surgery would be a most welcome miracle, I am being realistic and I will be very satisfied if I can say as you have - that I have gotten my life back. Even if I have to deal with some pain. As long as it isn't like now - 24/7 even with fairly high doses of narcotic pain relievers. Right now just being able to sit through a meal in a restaurant without being near tears would be a miracle.

Thanks for responding Mark. I figured if there was some kind of trend, there was a good chance you would be aware of it. I must say it is comforting to hear you say that you have not seen or heard of any major differences in the outcomes between men and women. I will have to email my friend and see if I can get her to elaborate a little more on the reasoning behind the statements made to her. Needless to say, she is somewhat distraught over needing a fusion where the ADR's were placed.
(And yes, there is definetely a good joke in the way your statement was worded). I have two sisters-in -laws that also have back problems to some degree. The ongoing joke is that the 3 brothers must be too hard on their women.

Maria, first congratulations. You have worked hard to get to this point. I haven't been on line much recently...........when is your surgery scheduled for? Who will be performing your surgery? Best wishes to you.

[tisury]

Ok, I have edited some of my post. Don't know how to explain the reason, except to say that I learned today the info did NOT come directly from the doctor, but from people associated with the doc. These "people", who have no reason to tell this woman lies, fear losing their jobs for telling about the trial problems. This is scary. The other scary thing is that this woman who is having all the problems has been told they will no longer be following her in the trial anymore. Period. The end. Why or how can they exclude info on a person just because her case has not turned out well? I am 3 years out from my surgery and still being followed through the trial even though I did not have a happy ending.

[mmglobal]

I don't know what to say except that there is so much misinformation out there it's impossible to wade through it all.

So much of the information I get... even, or especially info from seemingly reliable sources, doctors, studies, etc.... it's all colored with marketing spin and financial motiviations. That's why I work for the patient... I don't work for a doctor or a clinic or a manufacturer.

All the best...

Mark

PS... I'm currently scheduled to leave Straubing on May 13... it's a shame that I'll just miss you. If something keeps me there longer... we'll have an iced coffee in the town square.