Disc Replacement Surgery

Ok, so he does not like endoscopy and foraminoplasty. Did he elaborated why?

Hi Keano

He didn't say he didn't like the procedure, he was impressed by what Mr Knight had already done, but he didn't think that having the same procedure a second time would sort my problem out.

Because my symptoms are as bad as pre op and are still on both sides, I am not confident that one more ELD&F would sort me out, and it is really difficult to continue to fund something that may not be the solution for me. Mr K has also stressed that I may need to have ELD&F at more than level and at more than one side.

This can sometimes be an issue with MISS, especially for multi-level problem.
Often several surgeries need to be performed, and in your country you must pay for them. Here in my country, endoscopy, laser, METRx and other MISS methods are covered by our national insurance.

I am sorry for you...

Oh Maz I am so sorry to hear that. I do think one of the drawbacks of the miss surgery for people with multilevel, bilateral problems is the continuing cost and never ending line of operations? After one there is the " well we know you need another on the other side/level etc" and so its impossible to have pain taken as failure but instead the pain is immediately blamed on another level/side?

Did MK say his operation was classified as a success? Did something go wrong or was it the wrong site of the pain? Have you had a new mri and what did it say? What did he say?

If you are going to pay have you thought of trying the USA?

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Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 159

Hello Cassie

MK has never said the the op was a success because I presented with the same symptoms from the morning following the op, which is very unusual.

The symptoms on the right settled down for a short time following the op, but they came back again and I have had no relief from left or right for some considerable time.

I had a new MRI about 10 weeks post op because MK was not happy with my lack of progress which showed that I have a further two prolapsed discs (L4/L5 and L5/S1). He gave me 4 options, one of which was to have the same op again approaching from the opposite side to previous op.

Travelling is very difficult for me, so the USA is completely out of the question, in fact when I read it I had to smile because it would be like a dream. I am still unable to sit or stand for any length of time and haven't even been to the shops since early October last year. I am very, very limited even around the house and my walking is very poor.

I saw specialist number 4 to get another opinion as my brain has now turned to complete mush (medication) and I really haven't a clue what to do or who to turn to. Like most people on here, I just waant an end to this suffering and some quality of life back.

Sorry I didn't intend to start whinging!

I don't know if traveling to USA makes sense?

1. Prices there are very high
2. Europe has some world-class surgeons for all procedures (MISS, fusion, ADR)

I am very sorry for your case. If you have funds, my proposal would be to continue with Dr. Knight. One of MISS concepts is eliminating pain sources one by one, unfortunately that costs a lot of money if difficult cases like yours 🙁

Please check your PM, maybe I can help you a little.

First steps to Disc Replacement

I thought that I would update to say that I have had my dexa scan to check my bone density, and as the result was above average I should be okay to proceed to the next stage.

I am hoping to book another consultation with the specialist within the next couple of weeks to run through the procedure and all of the risks etc.

Based on the conversation I had at my initial consultation as long as my bone density was good enough I would be able to go ahead and book the operation so theoretically I may get a slot in October/November.

If it will only halve my pain it will be beneficial, and if it takes more than that away I will be estatic. It is major surgery so I know that I will have a long recovery ahead of me but fingers crossed it will be the right solution for me.

I wish all fellow sufferers relief from their pain x

Hope you are doing ok too xxxx

Whats the difference between disc replacement and fusions then? Probably being a total clutz here but I have never been offered a disc replacement and wonder why??

ADR is something completely completely different.

ADR keeps your spine in motion. This has advantages and disadvantages. Your intervertebral disc is replaced by artificial one. There are several producers. I know a doctor that has made more than 2000 implantations and has very good success rate, and very low complication rate. He has completely abandoned fusions.

Fusion is simple, they remove your disc, ligaments and other structures, put intervertebral cage to keep spine height and then they fixate everything with screws and rods. There are few techniques like PLIF, TLIF and ALIF... and nowdays minimally-invasive spinal fusion like MI-TLIF and DLIF/XLIF.

Keano, I understand fusion, least think I do because the doctors always go on about it, but no-one has ever mentioned disc replacement to me? Would it be because my endplates are arthritic? What is done in a disc replacement?

Cassie

Is it because fusion is cheaper?

How can someone even mention ADR when most of surgeons don't do this type of surgery? Similar situation is with minimally-invasive surgery. They don't mention it because they are not educated in that field.

I don't think fusion is much cheaper. I think prices are pretty much the same, at least in Germany (I am familiar with situation in Germany).

Most of surgeons don't even consider ADR because there are many possible complications of this surgery, and outcome is a bit risky and most of them think its something new.

However, some surgeons are doing ADR surgery for 15 years and have good results. Some of them don't do discectomies and fusions any more, they only seek for patients that are candidates for ADR.

Not sure if your endplates are contraindication...

Keano, thank-you, that makes sense.

Hi Cassie

Thank you for the kind words. I am exactly the same as I was prior to my op in May, though the pain has been exacerbated by the thoughtless actions of a nurse that assisted at the scan. Whilst I was lying flat on a couch, with no forewarning, she lifted both of my legs up to place a wedge cushion underneath my knees. A pain ripped across my lower back and I have been left in agony. I gripped onto the couch and had tears streaming down my face. I already have two prolapsed discs so her actions didn't exactly help.

I found out about replacement discs in 2008 when I was researching newer treatments to see if any would be viable for me. Three specialists that I have seen since then have each said that I am not suitable. I truly believe that each consultant recommends their own specialised treatment, and it seems that they will not suggest/recommend other treatments outside of their own expertise.

It is all very hit & miss and even my GP had no idea about disc replacement surgery. It seems that the patient has to do all of the research and find what suits them. I will say though, that my GP has been very supportive throughout the last twelve months.

I can't match Keanos descriptive way of explaining procedures, but each of my specialists have advised that a fusion should only be considered when nothing else is available. I understand that once you have had a fusion you will not be able to have any new/pioneering treatments that may become available, and that your spine will weaken in the two areas above & below the fusion.

How are you doing now? I hope all is well x