June 13 scheduled about a endoscopic RF

[karreymetris]

What does it mean for something to be fused? Is that how these spine problems are corrected?

[zfontana]

I'm two months postop from my facet endoscopic RF. As of a week or so ago my pain has been reduced by 20%. With the endoscopic RF it's a better procedure because they can visualize the tissue when nerves. Also because they can visualize the facets they ablate more tissues and nerves. My Dr. told me that if it works the pain reduction will last longer than the wire RF procedure. My surgeon told me he ablated to tissue and nerves always down to the bone and that it takes some time for those nerves to die off. Apparently my nerves finally are starting to die off. I still have pain but it's controllable at this point. Like I said above I'm about 20% better. I been house bound for one year post my hybrid surgery. So this little relief has made me able to walk a little further, drive a little longer and I even smiled a little more. My surgeon also told me if the endoscopic procedure goes well that I could have pain re-adduction up to two years. Of course the endoscopic is a good procedure with little risk. Also with the endoscopic RF the Dr. can visualize the nerves and tissues below the facet joints and you can ablate more tissue and nerves of course due to the visualization of the structure. And the other good thing with RF there is very little complications with the procedure because they don't enter in your spinal column. I would highly recommend anybody who's post artificial disc replacement with painful facet joints postop. I hope in the next month or so I get even a little bit more better. My Dr. also told me with the endoscopic RF that I can get up to two years or maybe even five years. It's definitely better than the wire RF procedure. I will keep you posted in a month from now at what my condition is. Thank you for listening and I hope you all have found that surgery have reduced your painful symptoms. Mark thanks for talking to me over the phone it helped to talk to somebody who understands. I will mail your check this week, sorry it took so long. Font

[jsewell]

zfontana,
I am glad to hear you are having success with your procedure. I hope as your doctor said it gets better and better for you as time goes on.
judy

[zfontana]

Originally Posted by jsewell

zfontana,
I am glad to hear you are having success with your procedure. I hope as your doctor said it gets better and better for you as time goes on.
judy

Thanks, for know it has made me better. Wish i would have just fused it. before surgery i was starting to change my mind but cant turn back time. im glad for now im feeling better! How are you doing?

[zfontana]

Going to get my prodisc fused do to facet issues and bad disc placement.

[jsewell]

Good luck with the fusion. I just had one myself but not with an ADR.
When is the big day?
judy

[zfontana]

I'll be scheduling the fusion next month which is October. I wish it wasn't so but my L4 – L5 facets are absolutely shot. Unfortunately for me the disc placement of the pro-disc was absolutely shady. I keep kicking myself because I was going to change my mind to a fusion before the pro-disc surgery. Just another mistake in my boxes of mistakes. I'm scared to death because I know those rods cause lots of issues. But my Dr. seems to think that he can pull it off. How bad are those rods I read your blogs and it seems they gave YOU a lot of trouble. Maybe you could give me some pointers? Thank you for responding and I hope you're feeling better!