Hey guys it's been while. I've been away from CL for few months while recovering from two surgeries. One was big one fourth fusion surgery this one was L3 to S1. I'm think I have enough titanium in me to be sent to body shop for my next surgery LOL Just throw me on chassis machine to straighten me out. If anyone needs any help just ask. I'll do my best to answer your question.

 

Welcome back dude…. That’s some major under the knife work there!

 

Thank you. And yes, it was some major work done. Always great to hear from our friends from UK 👍.

 

Hey Boss. Hope your recovering well. I myself am saving for a quadruple lumbar artificial disc replacement in Germany. They only allow a 2 level here, but have been doing entire lumbar sections in Germany for a while now. Sadly, insurance coverage isn’t garanteed on that, so it’s EXPENSIVE.

 

Before doing all that, I'd try cultured stem cell injections from Regenexx. That's what I did instead of artificial discs or surgery for my lumbar spine. It's not cheap, but it's not even close to artificial discs, and worst case, if it doesn't work, and you still have the surgical options left. I had cultured stem cells injected directly into the discs from L3 to S1, so I still have a normal anatomy. I also had Platelet Rich Plasma injections in my C-spine for cervical stenosis. 14 month post injection MRI on the PRP in my neck (C3-C7) showed dramatic improvement, and my symptoms are also dramatically diminished. PM me if you want to know more.

Also, FWIW, I just had a rotator cuff tear injected with PRP lysate. Within 24 hours the motion that was causing severe pain didn't hurt anymore. This is what professional athletes are doing these days.

 

Wow, I feel your pain brotha, and good luck to you. Believe me I know all about insurance companies. Look at all options available to you before surgery.There are no Guarantees when it comes to cervical or anything spinal related. Unfortunately my injuryies were sustained while at work. I was Manager for state of New york at one of location they dropped 20 foot beam on me from 2 half story's up. It caused severe damage to my C3 to C7 L1 to L3 and L3 down to my S1. I'm lucky to be alive or not rolling around in wheel chair so I count my blessings. Anything question don't hesitate to ask. Also do your research. And question your doctors, if your not sure of anything. I don't put doctors or lawyers on a pedestal at the end of the day they are body mechanics. Just like you would do your research and ask question of any car mechanic do the same with your doctors.

 

I work for some of the best ortho docs in my state, and trust me, I get to see the real bad stuff (legal department)… I am a pessimist at heart with surgery. It’s a necessary evil
In some situations, though.

Thanks for the tips to both of you. This is one area where red tape and bureaucracy are something I can get on a soapbox about. I’ve done some very extensive research, and long in the short, have found that Germany really is leading the pack in spine treatments (outside of Lances’ suggestions - I’ve got some learning to do there). If you have healthy alignment and stability, and your sole issue is DDD, they have some extremely good results with ADR. The FDA was established for good reason, but they also slow down adaptation quite a bit (by about 20 years here), and if it isn’t FDA approved, your work sponsored insurance plan won’t likely pay for it. My docs locally have noted I’ll need fusion eventually, but at my age, I’ll likely need many more from adjacent joint syndrome if I fuse. Im simply too young, and a good candidate for ADR.

I legit have thought about selling both my cars to pay for the procedure from the world’s most renown ADR expert, but that’ll be a last resort. For now, I just limp around on bad days and day dream of ways to make 80k on the side .

Weapon - how’s your recovery? Pain controlled decently? Multi - level fusion can be a mixed bag in the pain department. We have had some patients feel great, but others still struggle. I feel deeply for them.

 

This is exactly why I ignored the advice of three neurologists and did Regenexx instead of conventional surgery. So far, I've spent about $55k out of pocket for the work I've had done. I know a guy here in Atlanta talking about the same thing you are - and he's saying his will be ~$120k or so. I don't want artificial anything. I would prefer my body heal itself if it is possible. Not everyone is a good candidate for PRP or stem cells or cultured stem cells. I just happen to be in the group where good results are more likely than bad, so to me, it made more sense than a surgery with fusion, especially cervical fusion. At the time my neck injury became an acute issue, I was 49. I'm now 61, and far better than I was at 49 with the MRIs to prove it.

Is my back perfect again? No. Is it manageable without pain meds? Yes, every day. Do I have to take care of myself to maintain it? Yes, indeed. Is it worth it knowing I'll never have adjacent joint issues? 100% every day all day long.

Take a gander at the attachment. Regenexx isn't unqualified people making outrageous claims. They're real MDs, real orthopedic surgeons, and they're helping people like me get their lives back. There are LOTS and LOTS of quacks out there injecting people with who knows what and calling it stem cell therapy. It isn't. These guys are the real deal and have the credentials to back it up. They'll also tell you (as they told a good friend of mine), no, you're not a good candidate and here's why...I've had nothing but success with them and my doc here in Atlanta, Dr. Chris Williams of Interventional Orthopedics of Atlanta.

 

Glad to hear you're still kickin along!

 

Glad to hear your on the mend. I've had several procedures on my cervical spine. It changes how you do things. Some for the better, some not. Pace yourself and don't over do things (aint easy).

Here's my scrap pile-

 

For those of you who have not entered the period in your life where back pain is a problem.

I was a drag racer for many years. Operated my own shop and built most of my own stuff. I lifted too much, twisted too much and never took the back precautions that I should have. I lost a lot of money.

Next was water skiing. Ski Nautique, competition water ski course, bikini's, everything. I finally had to quit.

When I was 65, I hurt my back real bad skiing to the point that I was crawling around on the floor. A Spine Specialist fixed me with steroid injections and sent me to a rehabilitation specialist with a Doctorate. degree from USC. He told me that I'd be his patient forever. I did his exercises religiously.

One day I was talked into Ball Room Dancing by my wife. After a year, I started to take it seriously when I noticed that my back pain was going away, all without the rehab exercises. I also noticed that the dance steps were a lot like my rehab exercises, only a lot more fun. My instructors also had amazing muscle tone.

Now, where in the hell am I ever going to get "dance close" to a gorgeous thirty year old women without having to go to prison, all with very little back pain. Still have a hard time believing it has worked so well. Been eight years since my water skiing accident.

Loren

 

You're lucky. Steroid injections often do more long term harm than good. My friend had multiple steroid injections in his shoulder, and there is literally no cartilage left which is why the Regenexx folks said there is nothing they can do to help him with stem cells. Awesome your ballroom dancing is working. Some have found yoga to be very helpful. Egoscue is based in yoga, and is delivered one on one with a therapist who examines your posture and gait, then prescribes exercises focused on solving your problems. It's been very helpful for me. I also do chiropractic biophysics, and I've found infrared heating pads to be the best pain relief (better than any drugs) for those mornings when I wake up stiff and movement is painful.

When I had PRP on my left shoulder a few weeks ago, my doc said "Motion is lotion" and everything I read tells me if you're not moving it, it will freeze up eventually.

 

I'm staring down both barrels of 63. I did a lot of what is now considered "extreme sports" when I was younger. No regrets no matter how the adventures ended up. I'm still wrenching, it takes a little longer, that's just the way it is for me.

 

I’ve had multiple experts tell me the best thing for back pain is movement and exercise, so your experience dancing aligns with them. I have found that the more I move, the better I feel. It all goes to hades when I lean over to work on something though. That’s why a lift is in the future.

 

Truer words have never been spoken!