Hello all: It has been a while since I have posted anything on these boards and I thought I would give an update on my post op. I had degenerated disc at the L5-S1 area and after lots of research and doctors, I decided to go into an FDA study and have the Maverick disc. This was 10 months ago. I do not regret having the surgery itself, however, I am still in excruciating pain in my legs and feet (primarily the left leg and foot). I corresponded with a person on another board and she described her pain symptoms exactly like mine. Every little minor chore that I undertake causes back pain and soreness, but the constant burning pain in my legs, butt, and feet is what is so frustrating. They hurt EVERYDAY, almost ALL DAY LONG. I do sit at a computer 8 hours a day which is probably the culprit causing all the pain. The nerves just cannot get well. I was told that this could go on forever or that it might take up to two years for the nerves to heal themselves. At times, I can be standing up having a conversation and my left thigh will go completely NUMB. You could stick a pin or knife in it and I would not feel a thing! Amazing! I would like to hear from someone who has had disc replacement surgery and how things are progressing for you or not. Good luck to everyone who suffers with back problems. Peoplel just don't have a clue of the immense pain we have unless they have been there themselves. Sorry this post was so lengthy.
Sorry it wasn't an instant cure-all! But, this is the deal..............My surgeon is the "daddy" of the Maverick. I have a friend who had the final Maverick in his study and her leg pain is worse than prior to surgery.
Just the other day, he did 2 injections (he said in his study there were 3 prior people who had these symptoms) one on each side of the disc as her leg pain was bilateral. Then an epidural. I haven't talked with her since the day after her injections, so I can't tell you how she's doing right now, but will post when I know.
What is happening in their cases was that those nerves are waking up from finally being decompressed and were very angry. His thought was to "give the nerves a rest" via the steroid injections and they would heal without the horrible pain.
2 out of the 3 previous pts had lasting relief. The other he had to perform a Rhyzotomy(sp) and now they are all happy campers.
So, that said, have you spoke with your surgeon about these symptoms and what was his response?
thanks for sharing your story, briley. sure hope your legs feel better. i agree, sitting is really bad as it may be compressing those angry nerves. are you able to get up and move around frequently while at work? there are many of us hoping that adr is the "cure" for our pain. i can't express enough how helpful it is to hear the stories, good and bad.
if you don't mind sharing more- please tell us how your recovery went: did the backpain immediately disappear? how big is your scar? how long was your hospital stay, etc.
thanks and best wishes-
sambo
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bulged disk L5 S1 microdisectomy May 2004
So, I spoke with my friend who had the Maverick. She had the injections on Monday and by Thursday (yesterday) she was markedly improved and very optimistic. Have you given any thought to my suggestion of injections?
My friend is also in education, a middle school teacher though but also on her feet most of the day as opposed to sitting. I think that this is worth speaking to your surgeon about - i.e. the injections.
Big Red: Thanks for the update on your friend. What sort of injections did he give her? If it was the same thing as the cortizone epidurals that I was given before surgery, they didn't work! I had two of them and had no relief! On top of that, they cost around $2,500 each! If I knew of a drug that my doctor could inject into my foot, back, leg, etc. that would give me relief from this pain, I would BEG for it. I will see him on November 10 and ask him it there is anything else he can do, other than more surgery. I do not want to have surgery again if I can help it. My last x-rays showed that the disc was in place and 'looked good.' He could see nothing wrong. He is optimistic that I will get better - in his opinion, it will take the nerves time to heal themselves. Right now I have been at work since 7:30 this morning (5 hours) and I have taken 2 pain pills! My husband is horrified that I will be addicted if I don't get off them. When I mention that to my doctor, he tells me that he is not going to let me get addicted, that he wants me to manage the pain and not let it get out of control. So, what do you do? I want to thank everyone for the followups and care. This is a great forum for people with similar conditions to vent and get great suggestions and advice and to care for each other. Have a great weekend.
again, so sorry things aren't going well for you. 3 ?s for you- did you have the leg and buttock pain prior to surgery or just low back pain? have you gotten any other opinions besides from a pain mgmt doc? are you in the los angeles area?
have a restful weekend-
sambo
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bulged disk L5 S1 microdisectomy May 2004
Morning all: Yes, I had chronic low back pain and pain in my butt and down my left leg before surgery. However, since the surgery the majority of pain is now located in the left leg and foot like I explained previously. I do not see a pain specialist - only my orthopedic doctor who performed the surgery. He is a very competent doctor, a honor graduate from Yale, who was selected by the Navy to do research on scoliosis - the Navy chose 2 doctors to do this and he was one of them. He is extremely bright and competent - he even helps develop the questionaairs that the FDA uses in their studies on artifical discs. He feels optomisitc that I will eventually be pain free. Let's hope so. No I do not live in Los Angeles area - I am from Georgia. Hope everyone has a good day.
Hey Briley, Sorry to hear of the recovery issues That you are going through. Do the pain meds help with your pain? I'm sure you are frustrated and was curious to know if the leg pain was the same pain you had before the surgery or was it a result of the ADR. I hope and pray you start to feel better. Keep the faith.
Before surgery, my lower back and both legs hurt quite a bit. But now the left leg and foot seem to be worse. Why, I do not know except that I sit all day at my job (computer work). And, yes the pain meds help somewhat. I am never pain free though. It seems to me that this might be permanent nerve damage which is quite depressing to say the least. I am so frustrated at this point.
Hello all: Just wanted to give an update to the interested users who are interested in my ADR results. As I have reported previously, my left leg and foot is the primary pain giver! I had an appointment with my doctor yesterday (11 months post-op). After I complained to him about my leg and foot pain, he prescribed Neurontin for the obvious nerve pain. My druggist suggested that I gradually 'ease' into taking this medication. I took one last night and I must say that my leg and foot felt as though it was not in as much pain as usual. Was it my imagination or was the medication working? I hope it was the Neurontin! If that is the case, I am looking forward to taking it on a regular basis. My doctor still feels optimistic that I will eventually be pain free. Hope everyone is having a great day. I would welcome any and all comments and suggestions.
It has been a while since i have posted here. I was part of the FDA trial that took place in NC (the first to receive in NC, yeah!). Anyway, i go for my final (2 year) check up this November 2005. I have been doing great. I couldn't imagine my life without it. Prior to Maverick, i had two failed discectomies. WAs diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome and suffered in pain until my wife found this FDA trial. Miracle! I returned to work six months post surgery and have been metal machinging ever since. I lift up to 100 pounds at a time, and stand the full 8 hour shift. I would not have been able to do this without the Maverick. Yea, of course i have some back pain, but who wouldn't with my kind of physical job. I can get by with the occassional pain medicine, but i don't need it every day, sometimes not every week. The only thing i am experincing now is a "squeek" when i bend over and then stand erect. It sounds like a rusty door hinge. The doctor stated this is normal. Last xrays showed everying in alignment and doing great. I hope everyone's surgery is as successful as mine. Good LUck!
So glad to hear that your positive report. Had hopes of the ADR myself but too many levels plus the support system in my back was shot. Still, it thrills me that the ADRs are available to many.
Have to grin about your "squeak" as when I had a prosthetic elbow back in the 70's, it moved only a little before my body rejected it, but still, it was a squeak you could hear across the room. My co-workers (mostly military) were big jokesters, so for Christmas gave me a shoe box of WD-40 for the squeak.
Thanks for sharing your good news and may you have many more years without further back trouble.
Maverick disc replacement report/update 
Re: Maverick disc replacement report/update 
