when FDA will approve multilevel ADR?I've been dealing for 4 years with pain now.At times am totally immobile.I've refused to have fusion.Single level adr was approved last Nov.My problem discs are l4l5 and l5s1.Since there are two bad discs the doc won't/can't do adr on the disc we know is causing me this grief.
I know it's routine to do multi level adr in Germany and I was just sent a brochure from Germany explaing their different proceedures.It's really quite amazing what they do routinely that American doctors have never offered.American doctors are way behind when it comes to repairing backs.Fusion surgery is archaic.

Oh those crazy Gremans. Just kidding, i'm part German :p . That may be the way to go, but don't discount fusions all toghether. There are many fusion sucsess storys here. Good Luck :)

I'm not sure when they will be approved, I did see them talking about it on a special not to long ago so I don't think it should be to long now, I believe they are doing 2 level trials now, you might try looking up some of the clinical trial sites and could probably get that info.
Linda

I was on a link checking clinical trials a while back and it's being done there. Would suggest you check the FDA and clinical trail links for specifics though.

I agree with trying ADR's first, and if for some reason things are not working, fusion can be done later. Also, they are now doing some ADRs on people who have smaller number of levels fused. I have 10 levels fused, so no hope for ADR now.

Best wishes and let us know how you do.

Fusion surgery is archaic

It is all that we have right now for multi level fusions and for some, it works. ADR is too new in the US right now to completely trust it. No one here has enough experience with it. The trials were just finished, what, this year?

There are just as many problems with the ADR's as there are with fusion, just a different set of problems.

They have been doing fusions for a very long time. For some, that is the only option. I know that I would rather have a fusion than an ADR that might slip and paralyze me for life, which is one of the possibilties that is swept under the rug, or have my body reject it, or form scar tissue around it as is is forgein object.

Both methods have their ups and downs.

From what I've read on the studies here and the data I've been able to research from Germany,there is a far greater chance for successful happy outcome than fusion.If adr fails then a fusion can be done but if fusion fails there is no undoing it and trying adr.
Anyway I've looked for trials info and can't find much.I found a list of participating doctors for one type of disc(don't think I can name it here)and I don't want that disc.I don't like the design of it.I do want the disc that they're using in Germany but I cannot find a list of trial centers and doctors for it.
The saga continues......