[Maria]

I lived in Tarpon Springs Fla for a while (near Clearwater which is an hour from Tampa) and unfortunately I could not find an orthopedic or neurosurgeon to see me because I had CA WC insurance. I was thankful to find one PM I had to travel an hour to see and wait in one of two packed waiting rooms for 2 hours to see. It was a nightmare I thought. Thankfully we moved back to CA in 2004 where I didn't have trouble seeing ortho or neuro spine surgeons for consultation.

It sounds like you've been told you need a 3 level fusion? That is what I was told I needed when I first started seeking opinions in 2000 after two failed discectomies at L4 and L5S1.

However between 2003-and 2006 I was offered 2 level ADR or hybrid surgery with ADR at L4 and fusion at L5S1. I decided not to do either surgery or any since.

I too recommend getting a 2nd and 3rd surgical consult and also making sure that you call the offices ahead of time and inquire as to whether the surgeon does ADR surgery besides fusion so that even if your insurance won't pay for it at least you might have the advantage of getting the consult to see if you're a candidate for this type of surgery and or perhaps a hybrid surgery if instead of 3 level fusion.

If you're not in an emergent situation regarding surgical necessity I would definately take the time to do the research and homework and get a few more surgical consults. Once you do a surgery of the magnitude you're talking about you have to live with the results and to me it's worth knowing you expended the energy and time to make "your" most informed decision.

Good luck! Maria