Coflex f Implants still in pain?

[Ringo]

Hoping all is well for you or as best can be. It can be a hard struggle at times. Let me know how it goes.

I have siginficant degeneration throughout my neck
I had a discectomy that removed about 1/3 of my disk and 3 lumbar fusions.

I am disabled and struggle with pain/burning/aching along the back of my legs, back and neck, and severe headaches. I have suffered emotionally and was hospitalized for depression. But, I will say that that was a great experience when it came to learning greater humility.

My surgeries helped those areas that were fairly obvious regarding pain generators but I have degenerative changes above those areas that complain as well. not sure why my whole back aches especially like it is right now. Chronic long term imflamation and surgeries crammed into the same 6 inches of my lower back is not good for anything. My first sugery was in about 1987. Things have progressed considerably since then but still best not to have surgery if you can help it.

Stay strong brother! Terry

[Gil Denis]

Dear Mr. Denis,

your x-rays arrived and were reviewed. So good to have the full info now.

the scoliotic curvature is more than expected from the MRIs – but apparently fully due to the degeneration.

So Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli expects to correct this along with eliminating the disc pain and realigning facets by:

a) ADR into your l23 l34 l45 and l5s1 (this is maximum surgery already, app 5-6 h OR time, bu feasible in very experienced hands
b) dorsal removal of the present implants, re-instrumentation with a dynamic pedicle screw system (DPI), at L2-l5


a) and b) can and should be done in separate anestehsias, app 1 week apart, to give your systems time to recover. Primary stability is there after the ventral procedure, so you can be mobilized.

Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli wants to point out, that the “standard” solution for your constellation is a (min) l2-s1 fusion, expectedly to be widend to thoracic for better alignement. In his eyes and experience this would however sacrifice mobility without need (even if a dorsoventral combination is not as mobile as a virgin disc would be or once was). And he has gone to use this hybrid construct for comparable cases since several years, if feasible. It is in your case..

Pro-spine will send you a preliminary cost-estimate for the proposed surgical plan. Be back to me via this e-mail account, if you wish to be scheduled. Of course our staff will be here to support you with local travel arrangements like airport pick-up and hotel etc. I am here to answer your further medical questions. We thank you for the honor of your inquiry. Feel free to be back with any questions you might have.


Well this is huge all the options in this country none had offered and help except a Spinial Cord Stimulator or a four level fusion and fusing my S Joint
Now how to come up with the money arround $100 grand

[mmglobal]

I would ask... with the coflex-f in situ for 3 years, plus the severe degeneration for so long before, what are the odds of auto-fusion.

You may be able to get insurance to pay for a 2 or 3 level fusion, then cap it off with ADR or other motion preservation? Minimally invasive fusions may be possible with XLIF or ALPA approach (but not likely at L5-S1).

With all the "I'm not a doctor" qualifiers... just asking questions!

Mark

[Gil Denis]

Hi Mark

I have included some questions to Pro Spine Well see what they say

One quick question for you, Are there any surgeons in this country who could do this multy level surgery ??

Thanks

Gil'

[Gil Denis]

Would this stop the degeneration of my spine to other levels?
actually no. No surgery (but fusion, which eliminates any mobile function) can keep a segment from aging.
But: an ADR can no longer age. And the facets as the mobile junction left would be realigned and supported by the implants. So there is reason that their aging is reduced as compared to what you have now (hypercompression by lack of disc height, unphysiological movements).
Degeneration of the segments ABOVE the implants however is a relevant issue: This should not be influenced by the surgery suggested by Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli. Because it is motion-preserving. The adjacent segmetns would however be heavily overloaded and be prone to degenerate faster-than-normal in an alternative fusion. This is one of the core reasons why Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli recommends and takes the efforts to go non-fusion even in an extent case like yours.

Could i be pain free?
Very unlikely, this just is no realistic goal (at least not without pain meds):.
Could i began to get some activity back in my life? Sports?
This is a realistic goal in Prof. Dr. Bertagnoli`s view. (not competitive martial arts etc., of course).
With the coflex-f in situ for 2+ years, plus the severe degeneration for so long before, what are the odds of auto-fusion.
No realistic, we never have seen this happen
How long is the recovery?
recovery is very individual, and this can be a prognosis based on experience: we`d expect you to be up on day one, mobile in a hotel setting to care for yourself at app day 6-8 after the second surgery. Sitting is allowed immediately, but not comfortable expectedly for 2-3 weeks for a prolonged time. Which limits driving. Light exercise like swimming and walking or light work-out: start at week 4-6. For heavy manual labor, or sports with a higher risk of trauma wait 3-4 months to give your bone ample time to integrate your implants even in extreme mechanical loads.

Now what

Gil

[vnf]

Gil

Any update?

[Gil Denis]

HI Vickey

I am still dealing with insurances workers comp dissability

Surgeon is sending surgical procedure to WC four level DSS With very bad disc or no disc left at lower level I do not think this is the best solution?

Contacted Dr Zeegers Still no reply I would like to hear his take on this and his cost?

I just had a major set back and finished a dose pack things have now setteled down for now!

Thanks Gil

[vnf]

Gil

Doesn't sound like fun

I was hoping those coflex would work.
Dr Zeegers has a pretty full schedule right now.
Takes him a bit to get back to you.
His consult is $1200 but it takes him hours of work
and he is very thorough. I don't regret paying his fee.

Keep your thread updated please