Dr. Scott

Meeting to discuss a facet block at L4/L5, as recommended by Dr. Nelson. Most likely I will be scheduled to get the injection Friday afternoon. (Indeed that is the case.) The idea is to determine whether or not I have pain coming from the L4/L5 facet joints. I think Nelson is trying to see if I definitively need a two-level procedure. My L5/S1 disc is pretty much trashed and needs to be addressed. Obviously a one-level procedure would be better and have better chance for "success." But my L4/L5 disc is worrisome....

Dr. Scott was very easy to talk to and very down-to-earth. He said bluntly that he would not recommend a fusion for someone my age. Fusion is good at alleviating leg (sciatic nerve) pain, but is not as good for back pain. He mentioned the oft-quoted 50/50 success ratio, but said for someone as young and healthy as myself might be 60/40. Still, not great odds. He suggested disc replacement would be a better option and thought if my insurance was balking that I could try to get into a study or go to Europe (where the out-of-pocket expense would be significantly cheaper). He said the best solution would be to wait around until disc replacement was perfected. As I've mentioned previously, some days that seems like a reasonable option, and some days definitely not.

Dr. Scott
7910 Frost St., #340
(858) 277-7123