I Am Supposed To Have An Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery, But My Insurance Won’t Cover It!!?
My insurance won’t cover the back surgery because it is new to the U.S. My doctor recommended an alternative surgery called a fusion, but it has some downfalls to it, like limited mobility of that part of my spine. Does anyone know anything about either of these types of surgery. If so, what is your opinion on what I should do. My doc says that the fusion surgery is good but in time I could end up having to have another surgery because when they put titanium rods in my spine, it limits the mobility in my spine, thus breaking down more discs in my back. What should I do? I am in so much pain & just want to take care of it somehow. Please help.
Tags: artificial, Cover, Disc, Have, Insurance, Replacement, Supposed, surgery, Won't
October 14th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I am in the same boat (I am a candidate for disk replacement).Three orthopedic surgeons recommended I not get fusion surgery. I am researching minimally invasive surgery. I have found laser spine institute to have the best track record. Medicare pays a good portion of the bill. That is what originally gave it credibility to me. I do not have first hand experience with them. I am offering this as an alternative I have found,having the same questions.I plan on going next summer if I don’t find an alternative. Check out their web site for yourself.Good Luck
October 14th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
go see a chiropractor. I am one and treat this type of condition on a regular basis. Exhaust all other means, before undergoing surgery. Your doctor is correct. One surgery will eventually lead to another and then another.
October 14th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
I also recommend that you exhaust all possible non-surgical alternatives before going under the knife. I used to work in orthopedics, and while I realize that there have been improvements in the techniques since I was practicing, I have seen an awful lot of people go in for fusions and come out no better…and sometimes worse.
That being said, sometimes surgery is your only option, but be sure you have looked at others first. Surgery should be your last choice, not your first.