Hi Guys,
My Doctor wants to do a two level fusion on L4/L5/S1. I have had two discectomies on L5/S1 already. One in 01 and one in 02. I have butt and leg pain pretty bad now, but I really want to put off the fusion for as long as possible. I talked him into giving me another discectomy on L5/S1, hoping it will relieve th pain and buy me some time. He said we can try it but "no guarantees" I figure I have nothing to loose by trying. What do you think? will it last awhile? I know it wont last forever, but I hope a few more years. Has anyone gone through this similar situation? thanks

It's a c*ap shoot. You don't want permanent damage.

If it is only one disc why not have him refer you to a doctor that does artificial disc replacement?As far as having to have major surgery putting it off(I have put off fusion for 4 years trying to get adr)it is more difficult the older you get to recover.I made a choice to suffer until I could have the surgery I wanted.Now I find out I can't have it because I have 2 bad discs.I may be forced to have fusion.Or find someway to get to germany and have the double adr.It's a money and insurance problem.Good luck.

I wish I could have ADR but Doc said my Facet joint is so arthritic and worn that I will still have pain.
Also L4 is bulged with an anular tear, so it would'nt hold up.

Buf....I don't think you understand adr procedure.The disc is completely removed.Bone spurs /vetebral surfaces are scraped smooth.Then the two vertebrea are retracted and an endplate that grips with little cleats is tamped into the vertebra below and above.Next a special type of plastic core is placed into the pockets of the endplates,the vertebrea are the released from traction and the normal pressure of your spine closes the endplates onto the core.This gives you back your disc height and helps take pressure off of other discs.This is the best way I can explain it in laymen terms.

Bufitfn,

Sorry you have joined our ranks of back suffers. Look at the top of the treads and BionicWitch posted a website on the spines that has lots of good info. I believe they had some info on multiple ADRs. For sure though you should check various clinical trial sites as they are being tested state side. You might want to consider going to where there is a trail and seeing about participating in order to get multiple ADR's, if you qualify.

Myself, I was holding out for ADR's this time but had prior fusions. They have been testing doing ADRs with fused backs for some time now, but other health problems with the back kept me unqualified. Sometimes, we just don't have a choice except to suffer and risk permanent damage or paralyzation or have the fusion.

Having had a 10 level fusion in Dec, I can tell you I am doing great. With the three level fusions I had endured I didn't really have limitations, but I will never bend this back with 10 levels fused. However, I am adjusting to using a reacher and things like a sock aid, but I am back to caring for my home and working out in the flowers. My limitations are not a major life altering event. I will find new ways of doing things, so for a one, two or three level fusion, don't get overly wrought.

Now, I have almost everything wrong with the back that can be wrong except for sciolosis. I was out of pain with the fusions, in spite of the the spurs, the stenosis, etc. Is your doc actually a spine specialist or perhaps they are general neurosurgeon or general orthosurgeon. If the later is true, please, please get yourself to a spine specialist. You should not still be in pain if all that can be done is done.

If you don't know how to find a spine specialist, please search for a post where I replied to "who should I see", and do see one or more spine specialist until you find the right one for you.

Also, if you happen to know from previous surgeries of any kind that you have a tendency to form scar tissue internally, please insure that your surgeon uses Adcon-L or any one of the anti-scarring gels in your surgery. It inhibits internal scarring from going wild and can save you from future troubles.

Best wishes.



I wish I could have ADR but Doc said my Facet joint is so arthritic and worn that I will still have pain.
Also L4 is bulged with an anular tear, so it would'nt hold up.

I've rehurniated for the 3rd time in the same spot also. This time my neuro says it's a slight bulge. Well. . . it doesn't feel slight. He offered me more ESI's, which i refused, water therapy, which I'm trying, & more drugs, of course. He's hesitant to do a fusion, because of my age (40's), but if I'm prolonging the inevitable, I think i would rather get it over with & move on. I'm trying Dilantin, Motrin & Percocet. Dilantin works a little better than Neurontin, but I'm so sleepy after. I have kids, I like to garden & I feel like I'm missing out. I'll be interested to see what you decide. Good luck, I hope you get some relief, too.

Thanks for the info, Quiet.. My surgeon is the Chief orthopedic spine specialist at the Rothman Institute in Philla******a, it is a very well respected and up to date group. In fact when the ADR was being tested it was done at Jefferson hospital where they work from. I agree totally about going to a specialist. this is why I travel almost 3 hours each way from my home to see them. I completely understand the ADR procedure, in fact you can watch the entire operation on the internet. My doc feels that with the moderate Spondelolisthesis (sp?) and Facet condition that I am not a good candidate. I did'nt get into specifics why, but I do have trust in this Doc. My first two surgeries where done locally by a neuro, not a spine doc, and I don't have faith in docs around here anymore so I've looked for the best around. I hope to buy time with this discectomy until I NEED the fusion. By the way he said he will only fuse L5/S1 using BMP and leave the disc in at L4/L5 but use screws and rods from L4 to S1. Has anyone had this done? Anyway thanks for the input.
Dave