when IDET fails what can be done next

A

Asya

New member
Hi im very new to this board and i have been searching to see if i can find something about my condition but havent had any luck .

where do i begin i suffered a work related injury . i am only 30 it has been a long tough road since noveraber of last year .

i have a hernitated disc L5-S1 with a tear in the disc anulus

so i recieved pt and didnt work . i had an mri that showed what was wrong that was in florida. it showed the herniation with a tear. so then i was reffered to a neurosurgeon well the work didnt approve it sent me to a neurologist well after more pt and meRAB and sednetary duty since last year nothing so the dr reffered me to neurosurgeon . well the neuro felt because of my age they didnt to do a invasive procedure unless it didnt heal with conservative treatment on its own within 1 year . we are approaching that 1 year mark now . so i was reffered to an orthopedic dr . well cortisone injections and more pain meRAB nothing . physical therapy was canned because it was making it worse . so moved to ga because of husbanRAB job . and got sent to a new pain managment dr we shall call him dr chicken wing . well dr chicken wing has done nothing for me except rack up a monsterous bill . i had nerve studies done . and he said no damage yet he had to shock me more on my right side for me to feel it then on the left which i found odd but ok . so then he wanted a discogram talk about nightmare that is an awful procedure and i mean awful . well when i went back in for a consult he told me well this is definately related from your work in jury im like duhhh ok . so then he said for idet i did not want to do this procedure as he only gave me a 60% success rate that in my eyes is not a good rate . so i did it becuase i had to . or else i would be non complaint . i have done everything right with no relief i have obeyed dr orders i have done the pt after no avail . he told me the next option was to see a neurosurgeon for 2nd opinion because i have reached the end of my rope . in laymens terms he ran out of procedures to make some money on . he said if the surgeon did not do surgery then i would go back for a disability test to show how much im disabled .

so i want to know anyone else have a failed idet what is the next step is there any light at the end of the tunnel ?

now im on to see a new pain management dr . long story which i have to repeat all of what i did with this old dr with the new one .
 
Have you taken a next step yet? I had an IDET 4 months ago and haven't really had an relief yet. My PT wants to try traction but the doctors haven't said what would be next if this doesn't work.
 
You may have other surgical options (such as decompression surgery or fusion surgery) or less invasive things like epidural steroid injections or facet injectinos (depending on the origin of the pain).
 
I really feel for you. I have an L5-S1 disc injury with an annular tear diagnosed with Chemical Radiculitus/Herniated Disk and L4-L5 Disk Bulge, and have sciatic pain down both legs. I also have other problems like bad knees. I first had pain in April and reinjured it badly in July, so it has been 6 months. I am seeing a good phiosotherapist who worked with an NFL team here in CA. He has helped me make it through these past 6 months. He actually worked with the doctors who developed the IDET procedure at the SOAR clinic in CA. I have been doing PT on my back for 3 months and it has helped some. My sciatic pain has calmed down a bit, and I have recieved ultrasound, stim, and ice therapy, as well as massages. I know that some PTs are worse than others, and you need to find a good one. I too have been recommend to do cortisone shots since my pain is still constant. I have considered getting this done, but due to ins and a transportation issue I have not had this done. My personal belief is that physical therapy will work but your body must heal, you must maintain good body mechnics(I currently use a back brace when back hurts, I know doc don't recommend it helps me when my knees go out, though), meaning neutral spine, you can try alternating heat and ice, just don't use heat when your back is flared up. Stretching is key in my regume if your ligaments, and back muscles are tight this creates more pressure on the disk. Also traction or decrompression is essential, I get this done at least everyother week, you can also try the Yoga Cobra move, just do everything slowly and with good form, and make sure that it does not hurt. Just some things that have worked for me. Also for sciatic pain try placing an ice pad under your buttocks on the side or my case sides that hurt this can help reduce inflamation of the sciatic nerve. Take Care I hope you will get some help as I too feel that I am too young for these problems.
 
I am so sorry to hear of your pain. I had an idet in 1998 wich actually helped for a year or so. Then things progressively got worse. I worked in pain as a millwright for the past ten years until last month when it got out of control. I had to, as I had to children to raise and could not afford to be off work. I ended up having a 2 level fusion. I have been doing some research and found while there is not a lot of information on the idet long term a couple of studies show Idets do not seem to be a long term fix. I know your post is a little old but was wondering if you have come accross any long term studies on the idet or info about its affectiveness. I am currently in a battle with workers comp because this was a work injury in 1995 and they do not want to reopen my case. Best wishes to you let me know how this has turned out for you. I hope you find relief. Al
 
Back
Top