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New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started. |
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#1
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Sh***y L4-5 Disc (DDD)
Hoping that title isn't too aggressive.
Was officially diagnosed with l4-5 DDD in 2016, have run the gamut of conservative treatments. PT, pills, injections, heat, cold, Budhha, hot yoga. But no alleviation of pain. Being in Boston, I'm in the mecca medial science and advancement. Have seen multiple spine specialists, 1 said do nothing, others said you without question need a fusion. There seems to be a stronger aversion to ADRs in the Boston spine community, but I figured it's worth me researching before I consider having my spine welded together. I'm considering stem cell treatments, but that could be a hefty out of pocket cost. I've been browsing this site for about a day no downloading knowledge at an aggressive rate. Advance thank you to all who provide input.
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Very Flat feet since the early 80s 2010 Very Bad fall where I leanded on my rear end HARD 2012-Back started popping in 2012 2013-Pain started in 2013 2016-Injections, XR & MRI revelaed DDD L4-L5 2017-multiple recommendations for spinal fusion 2002-2017 Over 1000 games of high level basketball |
#2
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Hi Sir Henry,
I am looking at your signature and it seems that you have been in pain for quite a long time. I assume the pain is severe enough that it is significantly disabling your daily life? I also assume that you are not too old either, so that natural auto-fusion has not begun and that the primary cause of your pain can be assigned to the DDD. If these assumptions are right, then most likely surgery is your best chances at getting back to life. Of course, all options are a gamble, but you want to maximize your chances here. The big question is, are you a candidate for ADR? You need to check your bone density, have at least two independent doctors analyze your MRI and otherwise check that you fulfil the criterion for ADR. If you have many MRIs from over the years, you may want to also compare them and look for differences, if any are present. If all factors say that ADR is ok, then you should go that route, as ADR has been proven many times to be statistically superior to fusion. The fact that you have only one disc to be fixed also means that your chances are very good for success!
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2015 Lost ability to sit 2016 Gradually worsening despite conservative treatment 2016 L4-L5, L5-S1 activ L success! |
#3
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Henry, my Boston doctor performed my ADR in 2004. He started doing them in 2000:
http://bostonspinecaregroup.com/our-...t-j-banco-m-d/ You should get an appointment. I believe you will have a different experience than what you've experienced so far.
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate |
#4
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Quote:
Some of what you've said is on the money. I'm going to see Jame Yue @ Yale in a few weeks for my first ADR specialist meeting. The first specialist who said do nothing surgical wise indicated that my spine would self fuse and my pain may go away. What he didn't say was how long. I was not satisfied with that answer.
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Very Flat feet since the early 80s 2010 Very Bad fall where I leanded on my rear end HARD 2012-Back started popping in 2012 2013-Pain started in 2013 2016-Injections, XR & MRI revelaed DDD L4-L5 2017-multiple recommendations for spinal fusion 2002-2017 Over 1000 games of high level basketball |
#5
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Quote:
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Very Flat feet since the early 80s 2010 Very Bad fall where I leanded on my rear end HARD 2012-Back started popping in 2012 2013-Pain started in 2013 2016-Injections, XR & MRI revelaed DDD L4-L5 2017-multiple recommendations for spinal fusion 2002-2017 Over 1000 games of high level basketball |
#6
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Sir Henry
I wish you the best of luck on your quest. I went through this for almost 3 years. I was told day one that I needed a fusion. The only thing I knew is no one would ever fuse my back, I would live with pain before that happened. I didn't find this website till about 6 months ago and didn't even know ADR existed. I just had it done almost 2 weeks ago and as of right now (things can always change) it was an awesome decision! It sounds like we have the same exact story. Again, I hope everything turns out awesome!!
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1/14 Noticeable pain / no known injury 9/14, 12/15, 4/16 Each 4 months of PT Several sets of X-rays, MRI's and bone scans Several epidurals, hip injections and joint injections 7/15 100 days of antibiotics/ suspected infection 2 GP's, 2 Orthos, 2 pain mng. Dr's, 3 Neurosurgeons 12/16 Met Dr. Deutsch Rush Chicago, suggested ADR Surgery scheduled for 2-28-17 2-28-17 ADR completed |
#7
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Quote:
Indeed, it is the FF spell. Sometimes, in pain, I visualized the ice shattering animation annihilating the pain in the spine. At other times, I just wanted to dig out the spine and throw it in the garbage can. I am sure you understand
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2015 Lost ability to sit 2016 Gradually worsening despite conservative treatment 2016 L4-L5, L5-S1 activ L success! |
#8
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Off topic, although it catches some flack, I liked FF8 alot.
Considering some clinical trials as well.
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Very Flat feet since the early 80s 2010 Very Bad fall where I leanded on my rear end HARD 2012-Back started popping in 2012 2013-Pain started in 2013 2016-Injections, XR & MRI revelaed DDD L4-L5 2017-multiple recommendations for spinal fusion 2002-2017 Over 1000 games of high level basketball |
#9
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Ahhh. FF8, such a beautiful story. The space part was so touching.
A bit offtopic, but now that I feel so much better, I must consider getting FF15. Just because I can.
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2015 Lost ability to sit 2016 Gradually worsening despite conservative treatment 2016 L4-L5, L5-S1 activ L success! |
#10
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FF15 is somewhat of a turnoff....way too many sidequests....I'm talking way too many
__________________
Very Flat feet since the early 80s 2010 Very Bad fall where I leanded on my rear end HARD 2012-Back started popping in 2012 2013-Pain started in 2013 2016-Injections, XR & MRI revelaed DDD L4-L5 2017-multiple recommendations for spinal fusion 2002-2017 Over 1000 games of high level basketball |
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