Connect
Can degenerative disc disease be helped by fusion really?
I have a lot of things wrong with my spine including DDD, stenosis and spondylosis. The spondylosis is not that big a grade only grade one. However many surgeons have told me I need fusion but then my pain management doctor who's European and doesn't have as anything invested in doing surgery thinks that degenerative disc disease can't really be helped by fusion and in particular my case. Has anyone had help from getting fusion for symptoms and their legs from DDD or stenosis? I don't have symptoms in my back only my legs. My legs throb. Thanks for any information.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.
Connect
@kitkatrn
Do you have a contact for The intracept person in New York City? I don't know if it'll work on my symptoms though I have leg symptoms not back symptoms.
@annie1
Please think hard before having this procedure. I had it done about 3 years ago and it made my spinal pain worse. What they don’t tell you that half of all back surgeries fail. I spent $20k out of my own pocket for an irreversible procedure.
Please think it over. I wish I did.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@sonygardi
I'm sorry to hear your pain is worse ! Were you talking about the intracept procedure or TOPS ? I did a trial for the Spinal Cord Stimulator and it didn't help my symptoms.
@annie1
Sorry Annie, I was referring to the Intercept procedure. I waiting for over a year for insurance to pay it. I ended up having to give up and $20k for it out of my pocket. When I confronted Dr. Mcadea of the Indiana spine group. He said oh well and ghosted me. I am now bed ridden. If I stand on a hardwood floor for 10 minutes, I am in so much pain that I have to sit down.
After numerous rhizomes, spinal lumbar injection. I am no better. I take Belbuca of the pain with so so outcomes.
I was at a spinal surgeon today and he recommended that I look at the Revive procedure. I guarantee I will be researching that for months before I do that. Please be careful, I thought I had nothing to worry about. I am with the best spine doctor. YaYa Da I trusted him only to come to the conclusion that doctors ate no different than any of business. They need to sell procedures to pay off their $1 million day medical school debt.
Research the doctors. Ask them what is the success rate. If the procedure fails then what next.
I wish you the best. If you have any other questions let me know.
God Bless,
Seán
@sonygardi
Which procedure are you talking about?
@sonygardi
Sorry for the misspelling. I am tired. I am here to help.
@sonygardi
None of the ones I've been to will tell me they're success rate. They are very general about it like oh this is common procedure I do it all the time etc etc. I just found a medical advocate who I have to pay but has worked with surgeons in the OR and saw what goes on. He's pretty full I just found him and he said he was very full and I haven't even started yet I just had the consultation this evening. Let me see how it goes and if you were interested I could pass along his information I just want to get a few sessions in as he said he's getting very full up. I'm so sorry that that happened to you that's just awful.
@annie1
Thank you. Let me know what you find out. They all say their busy and so it all the time. Ask them if they have any testimonials from actual patients that underwent the procedure. They might say no because of Hippa. If they won’t give you their success rate, how many patients have they done this on. It’s not as common as they would likely to believe.
I would be interested if what your advocate says.
Take care,
Seán
@kitkatrn I have followed your description of the Intracept procedure with interest because I am also thinking of having it. You mentioned that you were going to go ahead with it. Have you scheduled it yet ?
Can you keep us informed about where you are in this process ? Thanks!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sonygardi
They never told me any exact figures for a success rate or failure. I think I mentioned that before. I saw a surgeon on Tuesday about fusion and he told me he did 125 fusions in a year I don't know if he meant this year which would be almost like a fast food restaurant so he must have meant for a whole year. He wouldn't give me success rate he just told me it was a common procedure his bread and butter. Have you been able to get more exact information about success rates?