Really Confused

[joejoe]

Well let me introduce myself, and let you know whats going on. My name is Joseph,im 41 years old. I work in the port of Los angeles. In 2004 I was injured in a slip and fall accident. I had an 18mm disc herniation at L4-5, and a 10mm at L2-3. Had a laminectomy, discectomy at both levels. Recovered pretty well from that, and started enjoying life again. Took about 2 years. Then at the end of last year, I was involved in a auto accident. I have 3 herniated discs in my neck. Had some epidurals that seemed to help with those. My lumbar has herniated discs at all 4 levels. 6mmL1-2, 4mm L2-3, 3mm L3-4, and 6mm L4-5. I just had a discogram and 1-2,2-3,and 4-5 are all bad. My Dr. is Rick Delamarter. When he looked at my MRI he thought i might need a double level fusion at 1-2, and 2-3, and replace the disc at 4-5. I see him Monday to go over the results of the discogram. I believe i have one of the best Dr.s around. Im just really confused about the disc replacement. I believe he will use the Pro DiscL. Ive read alot of comments on the pro disc, there are alot of differnt opinions on it. Ive read alot of horror stories, and alot of great recovery stories. Does anybody have any experience with this Dr, and any suggestions or comments about this surgery. im really confused. Im also tired of living in constant pain.

[Maria]

Hi Joe,
I've seen Dr.Delamarter for my my lumbar spine and was going to utilize him to do either a 2 level disc replacement or a few years later a hybrid surgery with fusion at L5S1 and disc replacement at L4. I was always concerned about 2 other things and that was vertebroplasty because I had osteopenia (now osteoporosis) and this isn't offered in the US and I had and probably still have disc disruption at L3 which wasn't concordant for pain on 2 out of 3 discograms but I wondered what would happen to L3 after surgery on L4 and L5S1.

Dr.Delamarter has a great reputation here in SoCal and there are plenty of people that have had surgery with him and are pleased so I'm sure a few will contribute some input here.

It sounds like you're in good hands tho I always like to get a 2nd and even 3rd oinion when it comes to spine surgery. It's such a big step especially with so many levels involved.

Make sure you get a Bone Mineral Density test done no matter what anyone says. Just because you're 41 and male doesn't mean you couldn't have bone density problems so just make sure you don't before undergoing any surgery of mulitple level magnitude.

Wishing you the absolute best with whatever you do.

[Gil Denis]

Hi Joe

Welcome

I agree with Maria about getting a bone density test, they are painless.Also getting more opinions Dr Regan is close by with a great reputation.

Good Luck

Gil

[dshobbies]

Hi Joe,

Welcome to the forum. Ditto to Maria and Gil. You started off with one of L.A.'s top surgeons but it's still a good idea to get another opinion. Dr. Regan is quite well respected but don't be surprised if he tries to steal you as his own patient.

Also, please don't be put off by egos. These doctors are among the best and they know it! Remember, you want a great surgeon, not a new friend.

Good luck to you, Dale

[joejoe]

Thanks guys. Ive seen 4 different Doctors, and finally ended up on Delamarters Door step. Every doctor seems to have different ideas about whats wrong and what i will need. One Dr wanted to give me a morphine pump. The Dr that did my first 2 surgeries wanted to do a fusion. My wife suggested we get out of town and look at teaching hospitals. The doctors in my town are old and not doing any new procedures. A friend had seen Delamarter. After some research and talking to other people, I ended up with him as my Dr. I guess im just really nervous about having such a major surgery. Im seeing him tomorrow.

[Maria]

Hope your visit goes well. Keep us updated if you've time.

[joejoe]

I went to see Dr Delamarter yesterday. We went over the results of my Discogram, and CT that followed it. As previously thought L1-2,2-3,and 4-5 were all bad. 3-4 was the only one showing normal. He recommended a double level fusion at the upper 2 levels, and a double level disc replacement at the lower 2 levels. He recommended replacing 3-4, because he said with the stress of the fusion and replacement below it would only be a matter of time before that disc gave out. We are looking at September for a surgery date as long as work comp approves it. Also I plan on getting another opinion before the surgery. Will Keep you informed...

[nomorepain]

Joe, Dr Rick is my Doc also, read my posts, i have the lumbar prodiscs, but if your questioning his ability, don't he is one of the best. i know i checked him out thoroughly. Surgery isn't fun by any means, but listen to what he is recommending, ask questions till he puts you at ease about your situation, be informed this is what it is all about, staying informed.

[Maria]

Wow! makes sense re the 3/4 disc in terms of not leaving it alone and it being stable tho that sure is a whole lotta work you're going to have done. What's the explanation for fusion at upper levels vs. disc replacements? I'm sure there's a very good one I'm just wondering why. Also did I miss something re multi level disc replacement being FDA approved yet? I'd be surprised if WC authorizes the surgery here in CA as I've been told thru my WC PTP (primary treating physician) that I can't even get epidurals authorized at this point let alone surgery. He said it's like that for everyone in CA right now not just my case which I heard him telling someone else in another room the same thing.

Perhaps you've got a better insurance carrier since you've been working for the Port of LA and also since your case is still in litigation or at least still actively going on.

Who is your 2nd opinion going to be from if you don't mind me asking? With this much work I'd be asking for 5 or 6 opinions probably ( I did and only had 2 to 3 levels involved). And surprisingly they all agreed (yet since I felt better I didn't have more surgery tho my case is 28 years old so finally the old spine actually did autofuse saving me the trouble of more surgery).

Good luck with whatever you decide and whomever you go with and with WC authorizing everything the way recommended.

[joejoe]

Well Good news, Work comp approved my surgery. Set for Sept.23rd. Feel like its a 2 headed sword. On one hand surgery got approved with out any problems, Thought we would have to appeal it. On the other hand the fear of having the surgery is setting in. Still gotta do the bone density test, and the pre op physical. Will keep you informed...

[Maria]

So what exactly will you be having done?

[dshobbies]

And who is doing it?

[joejoe]

I will be having a fusion at L1-2, and L2-3. I will also be having a double level disc replacement at L3-4, and L4-5. Rick Delamarter will be doing the surgery at Cedar Sinai....

[Maria]

Wishing you the best with the upcoming surgery and recovery! Please let us know when so we can keep you in our thoughts~ take care~ Maria

[dridobits]

It's normal to have fears over spinal surgery but I really think your doing the right thing and you can't get a better surgeon. Think of it also as a priviledge. I couldn't get to see Dr.Delemarter as I had cancer within the five year mark and I couldn't even get an appt. it's a tough decision and there are risks.

I had a double level fusion, front and back (bone density shot from chemo). I was in agoznizing pain for over ten years, lost over ten years of my life to pain, depresssion, no work, no life and suffered a lot. I wish I hadn't waited so long. I'm nine months out and I feel like a new person. Before you know it, six months will be gone and you may not believe how glad you are you did this.

Recoery for me was all unknown, many strange feelings I never expected physically but I think I'm over the worst of it.

I wish you the very best of luck!!!!

[joejoe]

Had Surgery 12 days ago. So far most of my old symptoms are gone. With the extensiveness of my surgery im not sure what is normal pain and what is not. Right now Dr Delamarter wants me medicated to allow all the new hardware to set in. I go for my follow up appointment on Friday. I guess the hardest thing is trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep. Dr wants me wearing a brace 24/7. I was able to get out of bed 3 days out of surgery and start walking. Now that im home my wife and I try to walk up and down the block 2 to 3 times a day. I guess its a matter of time now. Just wanted to keep everyone updated.

[Maria]

Hi JoeJoe,
So you're over the hump.. done had your surgery! Congrats on your recovery to date and hope you continue to progress at this rate. Sounds pretty good esp. for the magnitude of surgery you underwent

thanks for the update and please pop back in and keep us informed as time goes on. Wishing you all the best w/continued recovery

[dshobbies]

Joejoe,

We all spend so much energy on fear prior to the surgery - congratulations on getting to the other side.

Small baby steps are the best right now, followed by a slow recovery. You had a big surgery. Your idea of 2-3 small walks a day is great. Doing too much can be counterproductive, which I suspect you'll find out firsthand when the time is right, just as we all did.

Please keep us posted on your recovery, Dale

[mmglobal]

Joe, thanks for the update. I am looking forward to hearing more about your recovery and wish you all the best. That is quite a large surgery, so give yourself a chance to heal... don't do too much too soon.

All the best,

Mark

[Gil Denis]

Hi Joe

Well done Please keep us posted I also may have a four level surgery done

Gil