mmglobal

I'm new here. I've been a spiney since my auto accident in August 1997. My first surgery was a microdiscectomy/laminotomy on a 15mm protrusion on L4-5 in February 2000. I've been on disability, on opiates, Neurontin, and anti-depressants most of the time since then. My second surgery was a microdiscectomy/laminotomy on a 14mm protrusion at L5-S1.

By the summer of 2002, I'd had no life for almost 3 years, unable to take part in the most innocuous activities, like going to parties or out to dinner or to the theatre. I was in horrible pain and on knarly meds 24/7.

In September 2002, I went to Munich for a 2-level SB Charite III procedure performed by Dr. Zeegers. I was simply looking for a reduction in pain. After 3 spine surgeries, I fully expected to be a chronic painer for the rest of my life... I was just looking to be able to work and function again.

My recovery has been 50,000 times better than I could possibly have imagined. At 2 weeks post-op, I started tapering off the narcotics. It was complete at 6-weeks. That was over 4 months ago and I haven't had a narcotic since. 3 weeks later I took my last anti=depressant and I've never looked back. Before I was 3 months post-op, I was riding my bike all over the place, taking the dogs for walks on rollerblades, working out in the gym, playing tennis and swimming. At 4 months post-op, I started SCUBA diving and skiing, and have even played soccer (in a non-competitive environment... with friends who are not looking to clobber me!)

Although I am not 100%, I can live, function well and can smile a natural smile... not force it out through a grimace. I'm mostly pain-free, very active and medication free (except for anti-inflammatories.)

This brings me to the subject of my post.... ADR misinformation. I had learned about ADR 2 1/2 years ago, but had discounted them because of some 'information' I'd heard. It came from a reliable source and I had no reason to doubt it.

2 years later, I discovered that I was now the source of a rumor and I had no idea whether or not it was true. I then decided to challenge every piece of information I got. I would no longer accept generalities and rumors. Only facts that came with something to substantiate them would be considered. What I discovered, was that much of what I had heard was not well researched, understood, or was just plain false. Even from my doctors, what I'd thought were informed, expert opinions were just knee-jerk, uninformed reactions or rumors.

I have no regrets. We make the best decisions we can with the information we have at the time. However, if accurate, reliable information had been readily available, I'd have had my surgery 2 years earlier.

During the 2 years that I continued to research ADR, I discovered that much of the discussion surrounds issues that are irrelevant. Either the data is too old to be useful, or the issues being discussed are great in theory, but in practice, they are just not relevant.

I'm hoping that this thread will be the start of a useful discussion about ADR technology and issues. I am not a doctor, I'm just a computer nerd who's been through spinal hell and came out 5 years later, OK. I've done a lot of research and am happy to share everything I've learned. My opinions are just that... my opinions. We all need to make our own decisions and my only hope is to help others who are living their own spinal hell, make more informed decisions.

I have no axe to grind. I think that both the Charite and ProDisc are excellent solutions, properly implanted in a properly selected patient. Improperly implanted or implanted in an improperly selected patient can be a disaster.

Mark

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2/25/00 Microdiscectomy/laminotomy L4-5, 10x15x7 mm left paracentral protrusion

9/23/00 CANCELED L4-S1 360 fusion CANCELED

9/15/01 emergency microdiscectomy L5-S1, 14x13x10 mm left paracentral protrusion

Both discectomies helped with hip/leg/foot symptoms, but left the underlying back pain. Residual left foot pain and numbness. Lost axial reflex (left ankle).

*** My expectations were high, but Dr. Zeegers far exceeded them!!!

*** L4-5 and L5-S1 Disc Replacement (SB Charite III) 9/20/02 by Dr. Zeegers, Munich, Germany ***




[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 03-14-2003).]