Well, it's been about 8 months since my initial fall and injury to my disc(though it seems to have been a long time coming)
Thanks for the responses, guys.
I've been trying a number of things without much result. Chiro has helped a little through traction/flexion/extension to take away a little of the numbness in my toes and left hamstring. That's a plus! My pain levels are pretty much the same as October 2010, though the pain in my shins and ankles seems to be getting worse.
Physio, accupuncture and swimming have yielded little in terms of results and I'm core strengthening every night.
I'm still walking every day and resting on the couch in the evenings... sitting in front of a computer all day isn't helping much, I bet! I take breaks every hour.
I've gone through the gammit of consultations with my local and foreign doctors/surgeons and here is the breakdown.
My only affected level (for now) is L4-5.
For Surgery:
1) Boeree – M6 & Decompression (UK)
2) Clavel – M6 & Decompression (SPAIN)
3) Ritter Lang – M6 & Decompression (GERMANY)
4) Flood – Mulitple Laminectomies and stem cell disc injections (US)
5) Pimenta – Fusion via XLIF or ADR via lateral XL-TDR (BRAZIL)
6) Specialist Referral Centre/Cambie – Microdiscectomy for my leg pain only. They cannot help with the back pain nor do they offer artificial discs (CANADA)
7) Dr. Zigler at the Texas Back Institute. Prodisc and decompression at L4-5. (US)
Interestingly, they all agree I have no contraindications.
Against Surgery:
1) Caleo – Core work (CANADA) - My facets are too hypertophied, pedicles too short and spinal canal too narrow as a result for ADR.
2) Physio – Core work & swimming (CANADA)
3) Chiro – Flexion/Extension as allowed. Offered discogram, steroid injections and thinks I should get some second opinions outside of Caleo. (CANADA)
My local Ortho's in Calgary(CANADA) want me to tough out the pain for another 20 years, when they will operate to fuse the bottom 3 levels. They said any surgery now (I think they meant fusion), will result in at least 1 or 2 more over the course of my life time. Is there any truth in this? My issue with this was that my other two lumbar levels around L4-5 are ok still. Will an ADR actually help them to not degenerate?
I'm still waiting to hear back from the LA Spine Institute, as I was looking into the freedom disc trial.
I'm set on Mr. Boeree for surgery, but the price tag and potential complications are a little disuading. I have no hope of any insurance reimbursement in Canada and am a little afraid of going out of country for a procedure of this nature. I've never even had surgery before, let alone a serious one out of country! How do you guys work up the guts to pull the trigger? My window for surgey is July (pre-baby #2) or any time after October (post-baby #2). Should I go before or after? Or should I wait indefinitely?
I had also signed up for the Mesoblast phase II MPC trial, but was rejected due to my bulge being greater than 3mm. My large facets seem to have frightened them off a little too!
I also looked into the DePuy rhGDF-5 phase II trial as well, but it seems a little more risky for some reason and I've opted against it. It's also a lot of money for travel and accomodation if you get stuck as a control.
I'm scheduled for a dexa scan to ensure my bones can handle an ADR if I proceed.
I guess my biggest questions are:
1) Will my back get any better by just waiting?
2) Will my back get worse by just waiting?
Here's a link to my scans from January, for any of you armchair MDs.
My Diagnosis "Backup"
The pedicles thing kind of freaked me out, but Mr. Boeree has assured me that my facets still have 2 visible layers of articular cartilage, they are bigger, but normal, without osteophytes and short pedicles aren't an issue for ADR. Anyone else have fat facets and short pedicles? LOL
Thanks guys,
-Brett