discogram

[bodybuilder1958]

(03-13-2012 12:21 PM)jayc123 Wrote:  well i just got back from the follow up from discogram with the surgeon and im told the mri findings were confirmed (duh). he told me its been 7 months now and if the pain didnt go away yet it wont so my only option is the fusion through my stomach not my back! he said it works better with less chance of damage.any body have this one done, if so please tell me its better or im out completely. he also said 4 months recovery time, which also sounds fantastic, cant wait. i guess if i dont have surgery i cant reach mmi and will be on permanent restrictions? help, the rock and hard place just crushed me and hopes of this turning out ok. oh and jayne you are right he told me the fusion DOES degenerate the other discs so eventually ill need more work above and below which could be 1 to 10 years who knows. so get better for a little while untill it happens again, if it doesnt screw me up from the start! how can you even start to make a decision?

Some surgeons are doing both approaches stating that it allows for more stability. Anterior approach has a longer recovery time, patients often have a harder time getting around than with the posterior approach. But ideally you need to know what type of fusion your surgeon is talking about doing. Ask what his/her outcomes are, how many fusion failures do they have over a 5 yr period.

This site has some good answers:
http://www.spine-health.com/