Success stories after lumbar fusion?

@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?

@annie1
If it is so common why does the intercept people provide staff to fight with your insurance company. I waited for a year of them fighting with my insurance company. I gave in and paid the $20k out of my own pocket. There is a reason insurance companies won’t pay for it and its because it does not work as advertised.

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.

Jackiet,

I thought Annie and I were talking about the Intercept procedure. Annie can you please confirm.

Sorry for any confusion,

Seán

@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 if your belbuca is not keeping your pain in check maybe you need an increase in your dose? I use Buprenorphine Patch on my skin instead of Belbuca in the mouth and I required an increase within 2 weeks of starting it years ago. I’m on 20mcg/hour and it works well for me.

@jenatsky

Thank you for your recommendation . Unfortunately, I have increased to 900mcg 2 x a day. Insurance made me stop taking it. I started taking the patch as well to no success.

I am happy to hear it works for you.

Take care,

Seán