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Surgical Outcomes and Blogs Discuss 5 yrs post-surgery - another segment 'severe stenosis' in the Main forums forums; Hi All, I'm new...and very worried. It had fusion for severe spinal stenosis L4-5 in 2007. And ...

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Old 05-04-2012, 04:28 PM
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Default 5 yrs post-surgery - another segment 'severe stenosis'

Hi All, I'm new...and very worried. It had fusion for severe spinal stenosis L4-5 in 2007. And surprise! Now L3-4 has the same diagnosis (severe SS), and L5-6 has a big ol' annular tear. I live in a medium sized town (Eugene OR) not know for innovative medicine, and I know the surgeon's going to recommend conventional fusion for yet another segment. I have to wait another week to see him. In the mean time, I'm trying to explore my options. Fellow back warriors were my saving grace last time. Anybody have some helpful suggestions. Trying not to despair....I'm so young for this old person's affliction :-) Thanks everybody.
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Old 05-04-2012, 04:50 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sierra Madre, California
Posts: 904
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Hi and Welcome,
Sorry this is happening at a young age to you. I feel the same way and i am 54. I have been going through back problems for a number of years now. I can offer no advice i am fused from C-4 thru L-4 and now looking at a possible longer fusion to L5!
My bone density is bad and i keep getting spinal fractures so i have not even considered an artificial disk replacement.
Even though i am in this bad of shape , i do still go hiking on a regular basis. Just take some pain meds before!!
I hope you get the help you are looking for.
judy
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2007 ACDF 4-7
2008 hip , knee scope, hip replacement
2009 thoracic T-5 thru T-11fusion
2009 VATS T7-8, posterior only T11-12. removal of thoracic hard wear
2010 lung surgery
2010 T2-L2 kyphosis correction
2010 Kyphoplasty T-3, T-4
2011 Cervical osteotomy ,revision C4-T5
2011 Foot surgery
2011 Revision fusion T7 thru L4/laminectomy
2012 Hammertoe correction left foot
2012 Revision fusion T-12 thru L5
2012 Revision fusion L4-L5
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Old 05-04-2012, 09:11 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,511
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Hi Janrad... welcome to the forum. Sorry you need to be here.

5 years then adjacent segment disease sounds like a very common scenario. Can your surgeons offer ADR or other motion preservation technology that may reduce the odds of more domino effect?

Sadly, insurance reimbursement issues still rule the day with ADR decisions.

Many of us self pay for surgery, both in the US and overseas. I just got back from Germany with 3 clients. My wife and I have had our last 4 spine surgeries over there. That does not sound like a great recommendation... but SOME (not all) clinics over there provide the best possibe solutions that are available today.

Good luck with your research. Please keep us posted.

All the best,

Mark
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1997 MVA
2000 L4-5 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy
2001 L5-S1 Micro-d/lami
2002 L4-S1 Charite' ADR - SUCCESS!
2009 C3-C4, C5-C6-C7, T1-T2 ProDisc-C Nova
Summer 2009, more bad thoracic discs!
Life After Surgery Website
President: Global Patient Network, Inc.
Founder: www.iSpine.org
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Old 05-04-2012, 11:17 PM
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Join Date: May 2012
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Default Thanks

Thank you Mark. Thank you Judy. It's so good just to know I'm not alone in the struggle. I really appreciate your encouragement and will keep reading and learning. Thx again.
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Old 05-08-2012, 05:56 AM
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Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 2
Default In my limited experience Germany is Excellent!

Hello

I went to Stenum in Germany about 5 years ago and got very good results with 2 ADRs and a soft Fusion. Total cost including a traveling companion, surgery, etc was less then $50,000 US. Then I slipped about 2 years later and now have several spinal problems. Good news was that all the work I had in Germany is still intact and functioning well.

I recommend Germany if you can get there and pay for the work.
At this time I do not believe that I can make the trip due to my current physical circumstances.

If I could do the airplane flight I would have had the surgeries there already.
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