DIAM vs ADR

Katie · #1 (**permalink**) 04-18-2009, 01:39 AM

Thanks Karin! I first read your response yesterday, but could not get logged into this site last night. I finally had success this morning.

As I said in my PM, you gave me such reassurance with the post here, but scared the c*#$ out of me with your other posts about complications. I was just about in tears last night before going to bed, as I read what I thought was very conflicting information....great feedback about Dr. Bitan himself, but lots of problems with pain control, etc. And that was with one level of fusion, and I am facing five levels over just a few days...two one day, then three more within a week.

AND, I know just enough about fusion to be afraid...I researched hard against it to force the insurance to approve ADR for me. Then came the conflicting information and here I sit...with an awesome doctor whom I have personally met and trust, who wants to do exactly what I didn't want...partly anyway.

I do believe that the fusion at the lowest levels of the lumbar will not be a bad thing, but I think I would rather have two levels of ADR and one fusion instead of one ADR and two fusion. What would be the reasoning for two fusion? I have no leg pain, but do have spinal stenosis, bone spurs and compressed flaval ligament in the lumbar. I understand the cervical more...because of the damage already done.

Would it be reasonable to ask for two lumbar ADR + one fusion? My problem is that I don't know what the indications are for that. How do they decide how many levels of which they are going to do, is my main question, I guess. Any answers out there? My MRI images, both cervical and lumbar, are posted on Pg 3 of this thread.

treefrog · #2 (**permalink**) 04-20-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie

I do believe that the fusion at the lowest levels of the lumbar will not be a bad thing, but I think I would rather have two levels of ADR and one fusion instead of one ADR and two fusion. What would be the reasoning for two fusion? I have no leg pain, but do have spinal stenosis, bone spurs and compressed flaval ligament in the lumbar. I understand the cervical more...because of the damage already done.

Would it be reasonable to ask for two lumbar ADR + one fusion? My problem is that I don't know what the indications are for that. How do they decide how many levels of which they are going to do, is my main question, I guess. Any answers out there? My MRI images, both cervical and lumbar, are posted on Pg 3 of this thread.

You should be able to ask Dr. Bitan these questions, and get answers that satisfy you. I mean, you definitely should get the answers from him, before surgery.

Katie · #3 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 10:18 AM

LOL, yes treefrog I will definitely talk to Dr. Bitan a lot more before the surgery.

I was trying to satisfy my ever increasing (and not so patient)quest for knowledge while we were away this week though.

I am unable to talk to him myself for awhile as I am stuck at my in-laws and have nothing else to do except come on here and ask questions

Errrr, that is, I'm doing extensive research for my upcoming surgery and can't join anyone right now for those cocktails and bridge....in-laws...can't live without 'em, can't shoot 'em

treefrog · #4 (**permalink**) 04-21-2009, 06:12 PM

Are you not able to put in a phone call to him? I know surgeons are sometimes hard to contact.

I understand about just trying to get some answers yourself, and then verifying them with the Dr. I have found it is very helpful to me to do this. It helps me to understand what questions to ask, and to understand the answers as well.