Ddd/sciatica??

You need to go get fixed.

I seriously do not understand some of the newer percutaneous procedures that remove part or all of the disc without any kind of device being place into the intervertebral space to maitain proper space and function of the spine. ( I guess insurance people tell the doctors what you need) :)

oh well, what level are you having the work on? L4/5 and l5/s1 is where charite can be used here in the us. I do not know what the canadian medical system says about any of the artifical discs' but even fusion can help you. Please do not go through years of pain and suffering along with more destruction of the vertabrae due to lack of cushion in the space.

You can really be helped before it is too late. Tell the doctors not to mess around with anymore of the "minor" surgeries and make the move to fix you. In my own non-professonial opinion, I would not allow a chiropractor touch me ever!!!!

Just my opinion of course! I hope you can get relief and get well soon!

Thank you for your reply... The problem area is the l5/s1 and i've run into so many people who have had so many different opinions...I really would've thought my mri would've given the doctor the right answer.. And now i'm really not sure where to go next.. My chiropractor has been really good and doing his best to help.. But like I said progress so far is minimal if any at all...The next surgery yes would be to remove the disc and fuse the other two discs together but that also wasn't a guarantee that the problem would be solved and that's from the mouth of the surgeon. My question is.. Is there not some way to tell where the pain is originating from???? Should I maybe be seeing a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon??? Or is this something that eventually will actually get better on it's own???

Thank you for your reply... The problem area is the l5/s1 and i've run into so many people who have had so many different opinions...I really would've thought my mri would've given the doctor the right answer.. And now i'm really not sure where to go next.. My chiropractor has been really good and doing his best to help.. But like I said progress so far is minimal if any at all...The next surgery yes would be to remove the disc and fuse the other two discs together but that also wasn't a guarantee that the problem would be solved and that's from the mouth of the surgeon. My question is.. Is there not some way to tell where the pain is originating from???? Should I maybe be seeing a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon??? Or is this something that eventually will actually get better on it's own???

Thank you for your reply... The problem area is the l5/s1 and i've run into so many people who have had so many different opinions...I really would've thought my mri would've given the doctor the right answer.. And now i'm really not sure where to go next.. My chiropractor has been really good and doing his best to help.. But like I said progress so far is minimal if any at all...The next surgery yes would be to remove the disc and fuse the other two discs together but that also wasn't a guarantee that the problem would be solved and that's from the mouth of the surgeon. My question is.. Is there not some way to tell where the pain is originating from???? Should I maybe be seeing a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon??? Or is this something that eventually will actually get better on it's own???

Thank you for your reply... The problem area is the l5/s1 and i've run into so many people who have had so many different opinions...I really would've thought my mri would've given the doctor the right answer.. And now i'm really not sure where to go next.. My chiropractor has been really good and doing his best to help.. But like I said progress so far is minimal if any at all...The next surgery yes would be to remove the disc and fuse the other two discs together but that also wasn't a guarantee that the problem would be solved and that's from the mouth of the surgeon. My question is.. Is there not some way to tell where the pain is originating from???? Should I maybe be seeing a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon??? Or is this something that eventually will actually get better on it's own???

Thank you for your reply... The problem area is the l5/s1 and i've run into so many people who have had so many different opinions...I really would've thought my mri would've given the doctor the right answer.. And now i'm really not sure where to go next.. My chiropractor has been really good and doing his best to help.. But like I said progress so far is minimal if any at all...The next surgery yes would be to remove the disc and fuse the other two discs together but that also wasn't a guarantee that the problem would be solved and that's from the mouth of the surgeon. My question is.. Is there not some way to tell where the pain is originating from???? Should I maybe be seeing a neurosurgeon rather than an orthopedic surgeon??? Or is this something that eventually will actually get better on it's own???

Yes there is a way to tell if the pain is being generated by the disc. The test is called a discogram. It is a very painful but an extremly good test to see if the pain is disc pain or something else.

I have had 2 of them because prior to having nucleoplasty I had to have this test due to non-conclusive mri results. Then they did the nucleoplasty and that was horrible for me! It has helped many people but it was not the answer for me. Regardless of that I had to go through another discogram 4 months after the nucleoplasty to see if the pain was still being generated by l5/s1 or a different disc.

Once they had the results of the 2nd discogram I was put into a holding pattern for the charite. I had to wait for the fda to approve it and then I could proceed to my insurance and try to get approval for the surgery. It took more then a month of talks with the insurance company to get them to approve this "new" surgery. I truly believe that because I am 32 years old, this is the best type of surgery and I dont believe I will have more surgeries to other disc spaces due to lack of mobility in the l5/s1 space. I cannot control the future and I have no idea what will happen the next time I get behind the wheel or the next time I am performing a job at work.

I also do not believe that a neurosurgeon will do any more for you then an orthopedic surgeon that has specialized in the spine. They are both very qualified in the mechanical function of the spine and imo the orthopedic may actually be a better choice for this particular problem, this isnt spinal cord type of stuff and so I would stay with an orthopedic surgeon.

I'm sorry.. You lost me somewhere.. Which is the new surgery you are talking about? You mentioned "charite"? Or did I miss something in your response??? And can you give me an idea of what is involved in a discogram? I'm seeing my surgeon in two weeks.. I'm had minimal progress so far and not sure what he's going to suggest for the next step.

Once again.. Thanks for your response

Durring the discogram you are going to either be laid on your side or on your belly.

They will slightly sedate you and I mean slightly. You have to be fully aware for the doctor while this test is being performed.

The doctor is going to insert several needles into your back. He/she may do two or three levels to see if you are experienceing pain in only one or more discs.

They will then inject a contrasting die into your disc to apply pressure to the disc and mimic the pain you are experiencing on a normal basis or to cofirm that you do not have disc pain but some other pain.

After the test is complete, and if it is confirmed that you do have disc pain. You will be sent to ct scan to see if your discs are leaking the die.

It is an extremely painful test but with good anesthesia practice, you will not remember much of it.

Charite is an artificial lumbar disc, you may be faced with surgery if these tests are conclusive. I would recommend having the disc over fusion if you are given the choice.

Ok thanks .. That helps.. I have already had an mri and they did inject a die i'm not sure if that is similar or will show something similar to what you mentioned.. I am seeing my surgeon again next week and will forward the information I have learned from you and see what he has to say about it.

Thanks and I will respond again next week with more info.

That is simply a mri with contrast but a discogram is something totally different.

It is torture but it is the very best method of determining pain in the intervertebral space or not.

I would really appreciate it if you keep us informed and let us know how your disco goes.

Brian