New Member Looking for References/Advice
 

I am 53 and injured my back skiing 30 years ago. In March of 2007 the pain became so bad that I had micro-disc surgery on S1-L5. Dr. Timothy Steege performed the surgery and noted that he found a 10mm piece of my herniated disc was torn and pushing on my nerve. At that time I was experiencing severe sciatica/pain in the lower back, gluts and down the left leg. After the surgery the pain stopped and I was doing well until just over 2 years ago when pain started coming back. I have reduced activity to the point that I am frustrated and I am looking around at my options for a long term solution. I have pain in my low back and gluts. Sometimes I get sciatica radiating down my left leg and little down the right side. After activity like mowing, gardening or vacuuming pain increases. Pain will subside if I lay down or do inversion.

I am currently looking at surgery options. Does anyone have any recommendations on any good ADR surgeons on the west coast, I live in the Seattle area. I am looking to get a good diagnosis and review all the options before choosing how to proceed. I have been to an orthopedic surgeon and he recommended that he would do a discectomy. I am concerned that this may just be another short term solution and would like to find a long term solution if possible. Thank you for your input.

Regards,

Chris,

Welcome, I hope we can support in your next steps. Question: did the previous surgery remove most of the spinal disc? And now this area is collapsed? What does the imaging show? Did you get flexion-extension XRays yet?

Given the amount of time that has elapsed, it is possible that auto-fusion has started...

Excuse my ignorance, but why would an ortho recommend a discectomy if auto-fusion has started?

There are plenty of people who are doing fine with two discectomies, so I would get plenty of opinions.

Hi Harrison,

The previous surgery only removed the torn part of the disc that was pushing on the nerve. The doctor tells me that the disc is flattening. The MRI I had is from 2 years ago and the X-rays are from a year ago. I just looked at the X-rays and it looks like the S1-L5 is not fused but is narrowing. I can attach some images if the flexion and extension X-rays if that would be helpful.

Thanks,

It's not always apparent from imaging is fusion has started. In my case, in 2004, I was already starting to fuse. If my surgery was delayed any longer, it might have been too late -- according to my surgeon.

It's possible the docs may want updated image studies. Ideally, they would be done in the last 3 months.

Harrison,

Thanks, I will talk with my doctor about getting current X-rays and MRI to be sure of what my low back is doing.

I was looking on the site for a current list of ADR doctors and found two lists from 2004. I also found the following link:

Surgeons that specialize in the ProDisc are found here:
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1707.html
Are there any newer lists that you can send me or direct me to?

Thanks,