Treating back pain

This is a question for Dr. Johnson. I've been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. L4 and L5 have already fused together. I'm in pain because L3 is rubbing against L4. Would I be a good candidate for your artificial disc? I am 61 years old and in otherwise good health.

I am a 55 year old woman who has three disc's that the doctors want to fuse. I also have spinal stenosis which does cause numbness in my legs. My concern is that I could have permanet damage from the stenosis. I am not in extreme pain but am limited as far as some things go. The only exercise I was told to do was swim and ride an old ladys bicycle. I am seeing a neurosurgeon soon so would appreciate any advice I can get.

Marva

I'm 24 years old and have suffered from chronic back pain for 4 years. Three major and unsuccessful surgeries, countless epidural/steroid injections, God knows how many MRIs and other miscellaneous tests later, I'm still stuck in this position, with my pain getting progressively worse every day, and with my doctors at a loss for what to do with me. Since I'm so young, they don't want to try the conventional treatments, especially a fusion, since it could put me back in the exact same situation in 5 years or less. I'm on more medications than most people will take in their entire lifetimes.

The Artificial Disc Replacement is my only hope for a future right now. I've been waiting at least 2 years for it to be approved for multiple level use, but the FDA is, as per usual, dragging their feet. My surgeons hope that it will be approved within the next 2 years, but that doesn't help me right now. I've been fighting for the past 4 years to finish up the last of my college credits so that I have a chance for a life, and honestly, it gives me something to do, so that I don't lie in bed all day.

I wish that they would add on to this story something about the chronic pain these spinal injuries create and what effect that pain has on the sufferer's life. Also, that a story like that would cover all age brackets, not just people 40 and above. There are some of us who are struck by this nightmare situation at young ages and are fighting to have a life.

Ken: I think my only concern would be the aftercare situation. Do you have a doctor in the US who will treat you if you need it once you get back? I've heard of some doctors refusing to treat people who have crossed the big blue ocean to have the ADR done. (It's stupid in my mind. If you're a true doctor, you should only care about your patient getting better, not that they didn't allow you to do the procedure). Beyond the after care, I would make sure that you know every detail of everything they are going to do. I'd say, go over there, check it out. I think it's worth the trip to possibly help you out of this situation.

Nancy: I would go back to an orthopedic doctor and see what situation your discs are in now. A lot can change in 16 years. I'd find a doctor you trust and get their opinion to see what condition those discs are in, and what they think is the best option for you.

Synette: The best thing I have found to guide me to doctors is finding other people in a similar position and see who they see. There are numerous support groups out there for those in this situation and they tend to have people who can point you in the direction of a good doctor. Unfortunately, choosing a doctor is a very subjective decision. A doc that one person likes, another may completely hate. I think it's a trial and error situation. Once you find some names, just go and meet with them to get their opinions; hopefully you'll find one who will give you the treatment you need and deserve.

Sheila: I'd do some internet searches for "artificial disc replacement" and that should pop up some sites that can give you some great information. I'd found a site where it actually shows an animation of the surgery from beginning to end, but unfortunately, I forgot to save the site. Also, WebMD has some information and can lead you to other sites about the procedure.

I'm not a doctor or anything, just someone who has spent awhile talking to others in similar situations and researching this condition, and I love to pass on any information I have to others in the off chance that it may help them. Any questions, feel free to email me.

You need to have a section on Dr. John Sarno, 83, of the Rusk Institute at NYU Medical Center, who cured John Stossel of 20/20 of his 15 year back pain, and also cured Howard Stern, and tens of thousands of others. 90% of chronic back pain is TMS (tension myositis syndrome) and 90% of these patients can be cured simply by learning about this mindbody disorder and changing attitudes. His new book, The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders, is the cutting edge authority on back and limb pain. Please don't neglect this, as doctors and patients need to know about it. Millions could be cured without surgery.
Dr. Sarno previously wrote, Healing Back Pain: The Mind-Body Connection, and The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain.

Please let me have the doctors name and address or
phone number so I may contact him,I have had one back operation and it was great went back skiing and was doing fine until we had an accident in 98 and then another bad one in 02.I am taking pain meds which I hate. I am also going to pain manigment but that only works for a short time, I am truley getting to where I can not take much more so any advise you can forward will be greatly appreciated.

I've have had surgeries on my lower back with a fusion at L4 and L5 a border line for fusion. I have some degeneration in L1,L2 @ L3 and there may some hernation in them. I would like to know if the artifical disc would be of any help for me.

Thanks
Travis

My husband has lower back pain and a degenerated disk. Been to chiropractor, steroid shots, heat wand treatments nothing helps. Everyone says loose weight! But i dont think this is the root of the problem. I have seen his x-rays and MRI and he was told it is a disk. Please we would like Dr. Betons address and phone number. THanks!!! ANN in KY.

stem-cell for back pain i can not find the info
can you help me

I have been looking at the artificial discs for some time. Why is the US so slow in approving them? I have a co-worker who was in a 2004 study of the artificials. He is pain free and has been since the surgery! I too went to see the Dr in Spokane, Washington to see if he could help me. He said he could not yet. I need a fusion at L5-S1 because it is bone on bone, and there is no room for an artificial there. However he also said I need replacement discs at l3-L4 and L4-L5. However, you can not stack discs yet in the US!!! He had a photo of an X-ray from Europe showing a stack of 4 artificials! This was in 2004! What is taking so long in getting this approved in the US??? I have put up with pain for over 30 years and refuse to have a fusion done due to the problems it causes for the "healthy" discs which adjoin the fused area. Will we ever be able to have this surgery or will I be forced to go to Europe for my medical care?

I HAVE BEEN SUFFERING FROM SPINAL STENOSIS AND SCOLIOSIS FOR 10 YEARS.i HAVE BEEN TO SEVERAL DOCTORS.I TOO BELIEVE THIS IS A JOB FOR A NEUROSURGEON..HOW SURPRISED I WAS TO HAVE A TOP RATED NEUROSURGEON REFER ME TO AN ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON ACROSS THE STREET..THEY WOULD DO THE SURGERY TOGETHER.THE ORTHOPEDIC WAS ANNOYED THAT I DIDN'T COME TO HIM FIRST"HE DIDN'T NEED THE NEURO."AND ORTHOPEDIC DR. AT DUKE WAS SURE HE COULD HELP.A NEUROSURGEON WHO OPERATED ON MY HUSBAND AND KEPT HIM ALIVE WHILE FURIOSLY STAYING AHEAD OF AN EPIDURAL ABCESS REFUSED TO HELP ME BECAUSE I WAS "TOO HEAVY AND THE CONDITION WAS TOO FAR ADVANCED." HE TOLD ME TO GO INTO A WHEEL CHAIR. NOW MY PAIN IS SO EXCRUCIATING I HAVE TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO GET RELIEF I AM REALLY OUT OF TIME I THINK MY HEART WILL GO SOON. ABCESS

These are all TMS symptoms.Read Dr. Sarno's book The MindBody Connection:Healing Back Pain.

I'll be skipping the 'avoid surgery' topic. I've been reading about disc replacement for the last seven years and hoping they'll make prosthetics for the spine, mainstream, shortly. My only questions is... why only one disc? I have two degenerated / compressed discs (thanks to a car accident). Can I have the protruding disc replaced and leave the other? That would suit me fine for the next 10 years (I hope).

Thanks,

Greg

Wrong title: The Mindbody Prescription: Healing the Body, Healing the Pain.
by Dr. Sarno

My husband had disc-replacement surgery done in Febuary. He is doing GREAT. They said that it takes anywhere from 6-9 months recovery time becasue of the bone to heal around the disc. Of course his back is sore right now and will be for some time bit IT IS NOT the pain that he had been suffering for years! We live in the Buffalo, NY area and the surgeon who did this was Dr. Andrew Cappuccino. WWW.BuffaloSpineSurgery.com
This doctor has also done some pretty amazing stuff. Look him up!

PRAYER It works!! It works for me. I have been to Many Dr's each telling me the same Since I don't like taking med's (as they can do even more damage on healthy organs)even though I had to take them---- and I have already been through the epideral shots and lots of MRI's the last resort is operate according to the orthopedic and Neurosurgeons I have went to but than again I have had three different Dr's telling me three different opinions and so I decided to put it in Prayer and right now that is working for me! I do one day at a time and as far as this is not a life because I have alot of pain--well, the alternative is Death and I'm not ready for that yet as I'm only 53 years young. I have degeneraive disk disease with arthritis in my vertebra with mild spinal stenosis. God Bless you all and keep it in Prayer even if you have to have an operation.

I am 27 yrs old. I have had a diskectomy on L5-S1 at the age of 24. I now have herniations at L3-4, L4-L5, and L5-S1. Is it even possible to have ADR on three levels? Everything seems to be an unknown. If anyone has heard of this please let me know. At this point, I take medication daily so I can avoid screwing my future and keeping hope for a solution. I feel for everyone, this is no way to live your life.

I had the ADR on 4/18/06 on L5-S1, and can highly recommend it from my experience. Quite a bit different from the experience of the young woman on the video, my surgery required an 8 inch incision in abdomen, 4 hours, and no way was I ready to do a little dance after two days. As of this point I am doing very well, the nerve pain is gone and only healing remains--miracle or not, this surgery is still a TOUGHIE to recuperate from. I was initially turned down for the surgery, the insurance wanted me to have a fusion instead. I have not heard many 'happy' fusion stories so really did not want to go that route. The doctor wrote a strong appeal and Blue Cross approved it, their first! I have heard that prospective fusion patients are being told that if they wait 6-12 months insurance companies will be routinely covering the ADR which we also heard from a friend in the field. We found information on Charite trained doctors at the Charite web site, doctors from all over the country. I was delighted to find my wonderful neurosurgeon, Dr. Jonathan Paine of Melbourne, FL, listed as one of those trained by Charite, the maker of the disc. An approach surgeon is also used, making the initial incision to get to the spine and it is important that surgeon also be highly skilled.

I have DDD and disc herniations from L2-S1. My physician, Dr. Regan, told me that I'm not a fusion candidate due to such extensive damage; thus, my only hope is a two-level ADR with the possibility of more ADRs on the higher levels through a lateral approach in the future.

Yet, my insurance: Blue Cross of CA and Empire BC/BS of NY will flatly deny me ADR coverage. I have nowhere to go but to pay out-of-pocket to see an expert in Germany who collaborates/publishes with a Yale spinal surgeon. And I cannot afford this yet, nor - surprisingly, despite damage, my pain is treatable and I can function. But for how long? I have osteophytes on my end plates that suggest autofusion is starting - not always a favorable outcome.

Do my insurance carriers expect me to have an extensive fusion that's due to fail from the well-documented domino effect? True, the Europeans were neglectful of keeping excellent ADR data, but for patients like me, all we can do is hope.

Wake up insurance companies! Not every patient population is homogenous. Blanket assumptions = blanket stupidity.

Allan

I am a 39 yr old female and I am having back surgery in 3 days. I have tried the spinal injections and they only made it worse. My doctor is wonderful (he did not do the injections) he did several tests including myelogram and that dreaded discogram. I have degenerative disc disease in L3, L4, L5, S1. The L3 is mildly leaking and he said that disc looks pretty good. His is doing a discectomy on L4,L5, S1 and doing the spinal fusion. I didn't have a sudden injury like a car wreck or anything. I have had back problems for years but never bad enough to even see a doctor about it. Then on January 1st, after a horse show (where nothing happened to cause me any pain) I could not move. The first doctor on January 2, went off of an old MRI that was dated November of 2005, went ahead and did 3 sets of injections and a set into the sacral joints. Each time I got worse and worse. And he never did any other tests. I tried physical therapy and couldn't make it through the evaluation because of the pain. They now have me semi comfortable with the pain management doctor and his meds, but they make me sleepy. But, after reading all of these messages, I am now scared to death. Can anyone tell me any success stories of have this type of surgery.

Online there is not really a schedule of what is going to be shown on the 5 day report. Today there was just a text post. For tomorrow there is already a video on stem cell.

Is there anyway you can post a schedule of what new procedure will be talked about each night?

Also is it just on World News Tonight or across all ABC news. Last spring there was a pain special that was on every show, and as a back pain sufferer I was anxious to see every show which is hard in my condition. Even when I tried to order the shows on DVD, it took three months to arrive.

So Dr. Tim, I think most of us, who are pain sufferers of the extreme type would appreciate what procedure would be discussed on what night and whether it is just on WNT.

Thanks,
Adam