I am 26 years old. My neurosurgeon says that I’m a good candidate for a Charite disc replacement (L5-S1).

Back in August of 2003, I was in a bad car accident. A car decided to make a left turn on red and slammed into me (the oncoming traffic) at 55mph. I had severe bruising, but luckily no broken bones. It took about five months for me to heal and the numbness went away after a year. What did not go away was the extreme pain with numbness in my lower back/buttocks and numbness and shooting pain into my right leg. This has continued and remained constant since then.

My physical therapist told me after a few months, back in December of 2003 that I had no physical restrictions and that it looked like I was “making up” my pain. Sometimes the pain was worse on one side of my lower back. I also got the shooting pain down my left side and she said that I was telling “different stories” and that it was in my mind. She said that I could “lift a horse” and it wouldn’t hurt me. I went to the gym and worked out thinking that if I could strengthen my muscles and get myself in top shape that the pain would go away. I was in so much pain at the gym, but I endured it, because it seemed that nothing was wrong with me. When I would run on elliptical machine, I would have no feeling whatsoever in my feet and tingling pain down the backs of my legs, as well as pain behind my knees and burning, aching pain and bruising feeling all over my lower back.

I asked over and over for an MRI. It took 4 months for my doctor to refer me, so that I could get one. I finally got the results that I had a bulging disc with impingement on the nerve and DDD at L5-S1. I had lumbar facet injections a month later, which provided some temporary relief. I continued PT and the pain got gradually worse. I would get bolts of pain down my leg that would send me to the floor, if I didn’t have something close to hold onto. I took every pain medicine available… probably tried 15 different kinds. Ultram worked the best with less side effects, but I don’t like having pain AND not feeling like myself. I have continuous pain that is bearable when I do no physical work and put no strain on my back. I also must remain at a consistent weight. If I am over 135 lbs (5’8”), the pain gets worse.

Since then, I have had a couple trigger point injections that provided little if any relief. I also had another lumbar facet block, another MRI, which showed no change, and a discogram, which proved that my pain is coming from the L5-S1.

My doctor is recommending an ADR. I want to have kids in a couple years and I don’t really like any of my options. I can stand the pain only when it is at its best, and that requires very little strain on my back. I can’t sit for more than 20 minutes without getting up, and that is with my own comfy chair or sitting on a pillow. I can’t sit on a hard surface at all. I just want some feedback to have some peace of mind that I’m doing the right thing.

Thanks!

Hello Christie, not having been through a back surgery yet I too have been counseled to get a two disc replacement using the "ProDisc" replacement disc. Having suffered through years of nagging back pain with episodes of terrible leg pain and whatnot, having seen the films with my own eyes and the degenerative nature of my discs, having seen the results of fusion with many of my co-workers, I have never second guessed my decision to go ahead with it. Frankly I'm chomping at the bit....

For me this whole ordeal is a godsend, yes the "ProDisc" is still in clinical trials and I'm traveling half way across the country to get it at great expense, but the upside is just way too exciting not to follow through. Heck, the operation will more than likely bankrupt me as the doctor doing the procedure is out of network and there's no out of pocket maximum. The logistics involved are very difficult and I'll have to visit the institute several more times after the operation. But, I won't have the worry of getting another "fusion" down the road, afterall a fused disc only puts more strain on the ones above and below. I won't be mentally afraid to live life to the fullest, as I conciously and unconciously refrain from doing certain activities to avoid pain. Through the grace of God I won't become a pill addict, I won't regret the "fusion" when disc replacement becomes as common place as hip replacements, and a heavy weight will be lifted off my shoulders when I know I no longer have to be concerned about hurting myself at work where the aggravations of a Workmen's Comp claim will take away all my freedom of choice.

I'm sure someone could counter all my upbeat outlook with a more realistic arguement having already gone through surgery(s), but today I have the power of choice and that's a good thing, not something to be dreaded. :)

Stay positive!

Christie,

Sorry to hear of all your problems. The doctor probably thinks you are a good candidate because your disc was injured through an accident, you are young and no other levels are affected. Remember a lot of people wanting disc replacement have other problems in their spine of a degenerative nature. Thus the outcome for them would not be as positive as it is for you.

Just make sure that the docs keep checking your reflexes to make sure that the nerve damage is not increasing. I am sure you will make the right decision for you.