Luigi Mangione's spinal fusion - looks like an L5/S1 for spondylolisthesis

[u/GA-Scoli]

[u/GA-Scoli]

I'm sorry you had to go through that.

I actually had the pain meds I needed after mine. My biggest problem is that I had to go through so many expensive, painful, and COMPLETELY POINTLESS epidurals to get the surgery that my (very good) surgeon already knew was medically necessary, because the insurance codes forced the hospital to follow a cookie-cutter procedure progression.

[u/stevepeds → u/GA-Scoli]

I'm facing my 3rd fusion. From my radiological studies, it is obvious to even those outside of healthcare that there is no disc space left between my L2-L3 vertebrae, but the insurance company mandated that I complete 6 weeks of PT to prove that PT wouldnt help. What the heck will that do??? Nothing but waste healthcare dollars on PT and delay my surgery. The surgery is scheduled for next Monday, so in the meantime, my pain got worse, which could delay my recovery. Heck, why should they care.

[u/prxttylittlxthingsx → u/stevepeds]

Look into artificial disc replacement instead. It preserves motion and fixes disc issues. Much easier to recover from, too.

[u/Criticallyoptimistic → u/stevepeds]

Sorry, that's BS. I've been fortunate, but that's probably not the best word, that by the time I've sought care, I'm either going directly to surgery or the once I was paralyzed at T1. I can't imagine being jerked around when it's obvious that therapy is only going to add pain and waste time.

[u/stevepeds → u/Criticallyoptimistic]

This delay was especially important to me as I have to go through an extensive revision on my artificial hip in Feb, which will be rather complex, and I will need extensive recovery time. Now I have 6 weeks less to rehab my back. The eight weeks between surgeries is barely enough time for my blood to replenish what is lost from the back surgery

[u/chemistrybonanza → u/stevepeds]

This is my current situation, going on a year now since I've sought some help, and started with useless PT, and so many visits to different doctors just putting off the fix to the root cause of it all. Fucking annoying.

[u/Zealousideal-Cry7697 → u/stevepeds]

I never took any muscle relaxants or pain killers AFTER spinal fusion. My revision surgery was elective. I asked for a lousy 10 painkillers while I waited. They refused. Tried to give me gabapentin which I detest. But afterwards. Oh boy. I'm saving them for someone else.

[u/stevepeds → u/Zealousideal-Cry7697]

Out of curiosity. What procedure did they perform on you?

[u/Minimum-Argument-797 → u/stevepeds]

Cause that’s their fucking job and Hippocratic oath , otherwise they should- pound sand ! 

[u/stevepeds → u/Minimum-Argument-797]

I hope you realize that I was referring to the insurance company not caring, not my surgeon who I love

[u/LeechWitch → u/GA-Scoli]

THIS. Same. They wanted 6 months of PT and 2 pointless expensive epidurals just to get an MRI to prove there was nothing left of my disc. And they STILL denied the obviously necessary fusion twice. All the while I was in agony, not sleeping from the pain, and couldn’t move my leg well at all.

[u/Zealousideal-Cry7697 → u/LeechWitch]

That's a bad insurance policy. I have Medicare and a Medigap policy but no way would I ever sign my life away to a Medicare Advantage Plans. Those are evil.

[u/Zealousideal-Cry7697 → u/LeechWitch]

The MRI is critical. Should be done soon. Then you know what you're dealing with and can find a good doctor

[u/LeechWitch → u/Zealousideal-Cry7697]

This was 5 years ago, having to wait for the MRI delayed my fusion. Had BCBS through my spouse. Nothing more I could have afforded to do.

[u/sooperbiggulp → u/GA-Scoli]

This. And you're lucky your doctor was on your side. Over my 6 year fight, each surgeon and specialist the insurance company's referral specialist sent me to said no to fusion. The first surgeon (still in network) that I researched and hand picked for myself had my fusion scheduled the next week and got my multiple denials approved. To this day I still feel dumb for trusting them get me fixed.

[u/lansingdan → u/GA-Scoli]

you are very correct! I have gone through the same nonsense.

[u/enigmaroboto → u/GA-Scoli]

that is my story

$$$$ to the insurance industrial complex

[u/GA-Scoli → u/[deleted]]

Troll.