Ive been tring to read thru the negative feedback on L5-S1 spinal fusions, but there seem to be to many. Stats say 80 some odd percent success, where are they? I to have run the PT gamit, and now my L5-S-1 ddd herniation is irritating my groin(central) nerve roots(ie. poss bladder/bowl shutdown). My Ortho-surgen has performed 30 fusions with only 3 failed. PLEASE, if youve had the same type of "ray-cage" fusion, and your a success, please reply. Thanks Bill from Denver. P.s. I'm also looking for the best Ortho in denver too.
Follow Ups:
Re: L5-S1 DDD Spinal "Ray-cage" fusion??
Posted by Walt Stoll on October 21, 1998 at 13:04:23:
In Reply to: L5-S1 DDD Spinal "Ray-cage" fusion?? posted by Bill Hallinan on October 20, 1998 at 23:12:55:
Dear Bill,
I think you should insist on seeing the records of the patients your doc says he has done. This could be done by making them anonymous so you would not see their names or addresses.
I do not believe these statistics & think you were told them to give you faith in the surgeon while he bet that you would never check up on him. That is unethical but is done every day.
If he cannot provide you with these cases I, personally, would not entrust my body to his kind ministrations.
Doc Dave has posted the world statistics in this area on this BB several times. They match what is reported regularly in this country's medical literature: for this kind of surgery, there is 1/3 improvement, 1/3 get worse and 1/3 stay the same. There is NOT 90% improvement.
If you put Doc Dave's name in the title, & repost this note, I am sure he will see it. He can probably tell you where, in the archives for this 'site, his previous postings might be found.
In the meantime, since you have already read some of the archives, you at least have been introduced to some of the alternative options you may have for your problem.
If you have more questions, write again.
Walt