Orthonut wrote:
An MRI is the way to go. I ended up having a Charte'. It's an artificial disc replacement, meant to do away with having the discs fused together. I was back to work in one week, and I can do just about anything I could do before the back problems started. I feel like a new man.
I really, really wish I could do that. I know I have at least three disks that are degenerating. I asked a previous specialist about the possibility of surgery, but he kind of evaded the question. Later, I searched online and discovered that where I have the spinal disk problems (upper thoracic spine) is where doctors avoid surgery as much as possible. In doing surgery on the upper thoracic spine, one comes close to vital organs (e.g. the heart) and is much more dangerous than lumbar surgery. I\'ve had about three epidural spinal injections, and within the past few months, three trigger-point steroid injections. I wouldn\'t want fusion, because that would permanently limit my range of motion. I don\'t think doctors would fuse three-four continuous disks either.
I have insurance now, but I\'m out of the job at present, and I hear artificial disk replacements are very experience: around $25,000 from one figure I\'ve read. Too much money for me, even with insurance.
