neurosurgeon

[dirtwarrior]

I just got back from the neurosurgeon and it seems I need 5 disc replacement. Here is the issue FDA approves of only 1. I am looking for a research group to use me as an experiment to replace all 5. Can you guys be on the look out for such a place?

[BABY1]

Re: neurosurgeon

cervical, thoracic or lumbar area? Check University hospitals.

[FUZO]

Re: neurosurgeon

Wait hold on. What disks are you talking about, and what 5 need done.So are you saying they want to Fuse 5 disks in a row




Cervical c1 c2 c3 c4 c5 c6 c7 c8


Thoracic T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12

Lumbar L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

Sacral S1 S2 S3 S4 S5

[FUZO]

Re: neurosurgeon

I got done C4-C5 C5-C6 C7-T1 IN MY NECK and they fused then which means I have a metal plate behind those disks so they cannot bend anymore and yes I'm in pain the rest of my life it sucks but deal with it. And who ever told you that the FDA only approves 1 disk getting done is a moron. I got 3 done

[BABY1]

Re: neurosurgeon

Just remember this, any type of fusion puts stress on the adjacent discs. Not sure if you are talking consecutive, or sporadic areas, as Fuzo asked? If I were you I would do my homework on this

[Dzone]

Re: neurosurgeon

Man thats a lot of work. What happened?

[jstones]

Re: neurosurgeon

He is talking about replacement. They actually replace the disc rather than fuse it. Only one artificial disc is fda approved. When I had my fusion done there was a study that I qualified for, it was a double blind trial of a new disc. This was almost a decade ago so I guess the trial disc didn't gain approval. All the studies I have seen were only for single level fusions, and they only come around when a new disc is developed. Do whatever you can to get the disc replacement. I have zero pain from my fusion, but its only one level.

[dirtwarrior]

Re: neurosurgeon

Wait hold on. What disks are you talking about, and what 5 need done.So are you saying they want to Fuse 5 disks in a row




Cervical c1 c2 c3 c4 c5 c6 c7 c8


Thoracic T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12

Lumbar L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

Sacral S1 S2 S3 S4 S5

l3 l4 l5 s1
no fusion replacement

[dirtwarrior]

Re: neurosurgeon

Man thats a lot of work. What happened?

Hard construction work and lots of it

He is talking about replacement. They actually replace the disc rather than fuse it. Only one artificial disc is fda approved. When I had my fusion done there was a study that I qualified for, it was a double blind trial of a new disc. This was almost a decade ago so I guess the trial disc didn't gain approval. All the studies I have seen were only for single level fusions, and they only come around when a new disc is developed. Do whatever you can to get the disc replacement. I have zero pain from my fusion, but its only one level.

The neurosurgeon said only 1 is approved but I think more is if I look in the right place

cervical, thoracic or lumbar area? Check University hospitals.

I will do that

[obscured78]

Re: neurosurgeon

I work with neurosurgeons and I have lower back issues also. They used to do disc replacement in lower back but they stopped because of low success rate. Cervical disc replacement have higher success rates and they still do them.

[jstones]

Re: neurosurgeon

I work with neurosurgeons and I have lower back issues also. They used to do disc replacement in lower back but they stopped because of low success rate. Cervical disc replacement have higher success rates and they still do them.

How long ago did they stop? When I had my fusion it was impossible to get insurance to approve the disc replacement. My fusion went great and im 100% better since.

[dirtwarrior]

Re: neurosurgeon

I want either a disc replacement or the flexable rods so I will have some movement.

[guns01]

Re: neurosurgeon

dirt do as much hard core research on both the docs you are using as well as the techniques before taking the plunge. my grand father had 5 back surgeries and eventually died a very pain and misery filled death. and with the fusions i can only say i know one person that had one go successful. all the other guys i know from wounded warriors and from the civilian side are damn near crippled from theirs. could be either the docs or the technique but i would dig damn deep and look for all the patient satisfaction possible before using them

[obscured78]

Re: neurosurgeon

How long ago did they stop? When I had my fusion it was impossible to get insurance to approve the disc replacement. My fusion went great and im 100% better since.

I'd say it's been at least 5 or 6 years since they did disc replacement in lower back. I'm not sure if their decision had anything to do with insurance or FDA. They just weren't having good enough success rates that they stopped. He said some company is working on new technology for lower level disc replacement but it's not out yet.

Fusion is a very last resort. No motion on that level after surgery and then the risk of adjacent levels failing after the surgery. All depends on where your quality of life is before u make that decision. I had herniated disc and had microdiscectomy to fix that which completely healed my nerve pain however that level L5-S1 is collapsed and he said I need a fusion if I want to treat the back pain that I still have. I'm not quite there yet. I hurt everyday but I push thru. Just started back to gym. Only thing that I love but I can't do is go mountain biking but I'm still believing by faith in Jesus one day I will mountain bike again.

[obscured78]

Re: neurosurgeon

How long ago did they stop? When I had my fusion it was impossible to get insurance to approve the disc replacement. My fusion went great and im 100% better since.

Also I'm glad your fusion went great and your back to 100% that's freaking awesome!!!