Is the prodisc an alternative to fusion? How much does it cost and what are the limitations after such a surgery? Are you good as new? Just curious
-Coby
__________________
Chronic back pain for 6 years
Epidurals, PT, occasional relief
Hurt back severely during college football
Ruptured L5 S1 and nerve damage
Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy, medial facectomy on 2-20-03
Pain is getting better every week
Residual numbness and pain in foot, butt, calf
Rehabing at new PT and getting better
Still have numbness and occasional pain in leg
Eric Davis goes to the same PT as me! I'm in good hands!
If you do a search of ADR or Prodisc you will find some other conversations. There is a lot of good information on the internet and disc replacement looks promising. Another name of a disc replacement product is the Charite III, it will be available most likley in 2004, before Prodisc is available.
Most insurance comapanies from what I have seen on line are not accepting yet, as its still not approved by FDA and in trial stages so its considered experimental. That is just what I have seen, hopefully others that possibly have had it, have found out differently.
Its recovery time is much less than fusion and your body doesn't lose the mobility as you would with a fusion.
Anyway, there is a lot of information throughout this board, go to top of page and do a search and also do searches on web for ADR, charite, prodisc, etc.. Very promising and good luck.
------------------
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--scheduled for full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
__________________
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
As far as I'm told by my doc's, it is an alternative, and a good one. I have DDD in my L4-L5 and L5-S1.
I have decided lto wait for the PRODISCS. I'm hoping I can manage the pain until then.
I understand the trials went well. I'm hoping the ADR will mean that I have less recovery time,
more mobility, and no hip grafts. CNN.com just had an article on how they're pushing forward
on use of ADR's in the U.S. Check it out!
Last September, I had a 2-level SB Charite III procedure done instead of the L4-S1 360 fusion that the American doctors were recommending. I travelled to Munich from Southern California for the surgery. The results have been fantastic. After 3 years on opiates, Neurontin, anti-depressants, anti-inflammatories; I'm now medication free and mostly pain-free and living a completely normal life with almost no restrictions related to my back.
I know many ProDisc patients and other Charite patients with similar stories. Both devices are excellent. Not all fusion candidates are ADR candidates, but for those who are, ADR is a much better option. Do your homework... learn what you need in order to make an informed decision about your treatment.... this is a big deal!
wbaker: I don't want to burst any bubbles, but my understanding of the qualifications for ADR is that they will only do two levels, they won't do it if you've had previous back surgery, and you can only - at the time of the procedure - have problems with the one or two levels that are being replaced.
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You might want to find out if you will even be a potential candidate for ADR, because if you're not, then you're better off getting it taken care of sooner rather than later so you minimize the risk of permanent nerve damage.
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I hope for your sake that I'm wrong. You can find out more info on their site. I believe that you can find out more at the FDA website too.
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Take gentle care,
Bev
Wow there is are so many exciting advances being made in terms of back improvement. I have already had a hemilaminectomy and discectomy so I hope for my sake it holds up. However I was just thinking down the line if something ever goes wrong I dunno, gotta stay positive. I read that CNN post and that was some incredible news. Thanks for your success story Mark and I pray you stay healthy. Thanks for all the info and good luck with all of you in the future.
-Coby
__________________
Chronic back pain for 6 years
Epidurals, PT, occasional relief
Hurt back severely during college football
Ruptured L5 S1 and nerve damage
Hemilaminectomy/Discectomy, medial facectomy on 2-20-03
Pain is getting better every week
Residual numbness and pain in foot, butt, calf
Rehabing at new PT and getting better
Still have numbness and occasional pain in leg
Eric Davis goes to the same PT as me! I'm in good hands!
You are correct as for what they are currently doing. I am treating with a doc doing the prodisc now and that is why my signature indicates hoping to hold out. He beleives that he will be able to do a three level in 2005. Previous surgery is only problem for trials and not for what I would be going for. It also does not exclude me from same surgery overseas.
Thanks for the concern. Biggest problem is whether I can hold out that long. My best bet may be the Charite which will likely be out next year rather than holding out for prodisc which will not be allowed by FDA until 2005 at earliest most likely.
Don't quote me on any dates or anything, just what I have been hearing from docs and reseach.
Maybe I should change my sig to say, Hopefully holding on for ADR when approved by FDA, rather than way worded now.
------------------
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--scheduled for full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
[This message has been edited by wbaker68 (edited 05-22-2003).]
__________________
Auto Accident Aug 1988
L3-4 disectomy 1989
L3-4 now re-herniated
L4-5 DDD
L5-S1 herniated
5/14--trial stimulator implant(went well enough for full implant)
6/11/03--full implant(medtronic)
Hopefully to hold on for ADR
PRODISCS an alternative to fusion? 
