Waiting for Zeegers 'perfect diagnosis'. In the meantime, he gave me a little taste of it which shows multi-segmental lower lumbar DDD, the bottom two showing the most damage.
Malte got back to me yesterday. He is recommending a two level M6 at the L4/L5 which is basically gone as well as the L5/S1 ditto.
Here's his own words:
Dr. Bierstedt reviewed and commented your medical data.
Findings/diagnosis
Severe Degenerative disc disease L4/5, L5/S1
Moderate DDD at L2/3 and L3/4
Here's their recommendation.
Surgical decompression of the spinal canal by total discectomy, removal of osteophytes and artificial disc replacement L4/5 and L5/S1
Pre-operative discussion on disc replacement L2/3 and L3/4.
Assumption: these levels are clinically irrelevant. If symptoms develop in the future, additional disc replacements can be offered by lateral or posterior surgical approach.
For now these findings could be ignored.
I responded back to Malte and asked this.
I was curious about this....
" If symptoms develop in the future, additional disc replacements can be offered by lateral or posterior surgical approach.For now these findings could be ignored."
If I needed these two levels later on, do you mean you couldn't approach from the anterior like you would be this time? And if so, why? I never knew you could do an ADR from the posterior.
He responded back thusly.
The surgery will be performed by Dr. Bierstedt.
Ref disc replacement in high lumbar levels:
The anterior access to L2/3 is complicated due to the vessels. or higher leels Dr. Bierstedt uses a posterior approach
referencing this, the Triumph. Was wondering if anyone heard of it?
TRIUMPH® Lumbar Disc, posterolateral approach - Spine
However, what I want input on is that some here have received a 3 level ADR and vessels weren't an issue with you I assume so it is possible. Did Biersdadt or any other doctor mention higher lumber levels being a contraindication from an anterior approach?