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Lexi I am also due to have one of these "discectomy" operations. I was to have a total joint replacement but now the surgeon has deceded to try the "discectomy" first. I only wish someone would pull finger out and get on with it. Our Country's Insurers (every one is covered by the same Insurer), first lost my file, then they said they didn't have the MRI scans and now I haven't a clue where they are up to and I can't have anything done until the mark the surgeons application as "approved". Will all be interesting and will post comments when & if I get my operation. Regards to everyone.... certainly not the same TMJ Friends site we were so used to and really miss all the comment. Regards to everyone.....Denise
Posts: 18 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 03-09-2007
Hey NanaD....Nice to hear from you. Sorry things are so confusing for you right now. I think everyone needs to get on the same page. When are you scheduled to have your surgery??
I look forward to hearing more from you and I agree with your last line. It is just not the same.
Hi Sue Don't know when surgery will be but it should be within the next month/6 weeks. Will post here when I have a date. I phoned the Insurers this morning and being a Government Department they just couldn't care less if you are in pain or not. Here, as I said, everyone is insured with the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). People can, if they have the finances, insure privately but most of us have to rely on this Govt. Dept. They say they haven't received documentation or they have lost it or they don't know what to do with it and so the saga goes on until one kicks up a right stink and puts a flea in the Manager's ear. People in this Country are very unlucky if they get injured in some way as we all have to rely on this ACC Dept. Fun Fun Fun - yeah right. We are in the grips of winter here which does not help the aches and pains. Very cold with snow about. My kindest regards to you and everyone else. Will post again as soon as I have any news........Denise
Posts: 18 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 03-09-2007
Discectomy is also something I am curious about - may eventually have to get one myself - not sure. We tmj patients needs lots of info, and lots of support. This board does not seem to be too active.
Don't know if this is allowed, but if you search for tmj surgery family, you will find a very active and supportive board for those who have had/expect to have tmj surgery.
A discectomy is an open joint procedure (arthroplasty) which performed when the disc that cushions the fossa and the condyle has deteriorated or become damaged. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in front of your ear (Dautrey procedure), just behind your hairline and will remove your natural disc. Many surgeons are using autogenous grafts as a replacement material (dermal graft, temporalis muscle graft <only self lubricating muscle in the body>, fat…) rather than the alloplastics used in the past (proplast/ Teflon, silicone sheeting or solid silicone). You will be in the hospital overnight. Recovery is generally considered to be a few weeks, but it will take several months for things to really settle down. I had a discectomy many years ago using an alloplastic that is no longer recommended in the US. In my case, it did not help.
Thank you, Lisa for all of the info. Yes, I should look around more carefully, before I comment on the site, which I haven't fully explored. I shall have a look for your blog/shareposts, as I am wondering how you are doing.
