Fortunately, I haven't had to have either...YET. But I would definitely go for the artificial disc first because if that doesn't work, you have the fusion to fall back on. Once you have fusion, that's it.
I to didn't have a choice. That is the surgery I was convinced to wait for pending fda approval etc. But sometime in there my vertebrae started to slip aka spondyolethesis...then I was ruled out.
Hey Gates... initially I was really excited about this & still am interested but form the little bit of reseaurchin I've done it is much better for cervical then lumbar & is not approved for 2 levels. I did read a post about a guy who went to a German Clinic (Alphaklinic) where they did a fusion at L5-S1 & an ADR at L5-L4 which sound like he had great results.
If you find out any good news, please let me know.
I tried for 5 years to have Artifical Disc surgery and was in several different types of disc clinical trials, but it kept falling through. I was even scheduled 2x in Germany with Dr. Bertagnoli but for one reason or another that kept being pushed back. Then my PM ordered another MRI because I was having different problems than I normally had and was told that I had deterioration in my facets and didn't want to risk a failed ADR surgery. So I opted to have a 2 level fusion. Turned out to be the best thing I ever did. I am pain free and completely off all pain meds.
I think ADR is not as advanced in the US as it is in Europe. I asked my Neurosurgeon about this, and he said that right now, ADR is alot of hype. But that will probably change as time goes by, and we get better and more advanced. I know that my neighbor had fusion, and was up and about in no time, and a year later, is doing great, with no problems..
yah very few of our surgeons here have had enough experience, the neurosurgeons even told me not to be the guinea pig..let them get lots of practice. I had one surgeon who I thought was a complete idiot say that he thought adr was a fad...they've been doing it in germany with sucess for over ten years....He just doesn't know how lol.
What kinda neurosurgeon doesn't believe in new technology..geez they should all be trying to figure out whats best and easiet. I steered away from him. I then found a surgeon who does believe in them..but he has only done four...no thank you.
I had the Prodisc Artifical Disc Replacement in 2003, and it was one of the best things I have done for myself. Before I had this procedure I was told by my Ortho that if I were to have a fusion I would be needing further surgery in the future. I had 3 discs that were degenerating, L3-4 L4-5 L5-S1 the ortho felt that replacing L4-5 he may be able to save the other two discs. It was recently that I have learned that L5-S1 is beginning to go, and showed on xray as such, I am having a Ct Myelogram tomorrow, and to be honest I am freaking out about that, but I knew that L3-4 and L5-S1 would be a problem in the future. L3-4 looks great on x-ray.
Before I had the Prodisc, I was unable to walk, bend, sit, stand , also missed a lot of work etc.... the only function that I have lost, is I am unable to do extension, but I would have to say since the surgery 3 years ago, I can work fulltime, and able to do things that I thought were impossible.
Do a lot of research on the subject before having the surgery done, the ortho did tell me that they were having alot of problems with the CHARITE, so you might want to take further look into that.
One thing I should mention I had an MRI done, every thing there was very abstract that may be the only downside on having ADR
__________________
I had the prodisc surgery at level L4-5 on October 9,2003. I have L3-4 and L5S1 starting to go bad... but will look into that in the future. Epideral blocks are helping.
isillyme: I am sorry to hear you are now having problems but encouraged by your response on ADR. What do you mean by everything is abstract?
You and I have very similiar diagnosis except that my l3/l4 is still in decent shape. How are your facet joints? How long was your recovery? What was involved in your recovery?
The MRI abstract meaning the picture was no longer clear it was blurry, and the disc that was replaced looked warped, talk about freak out factor. However taking the MRI films to the Ortho he took an xray and pointed out that the MRI was giving a very abstract look
Recovery time was I spent three days at the hospital, I don't respond well after having the surgery meaning after effects (anastia) please excuse the spelling for that. As soon as I went home, I spent pretty much a week laying down and not moving much at all at that point.
2nd week did more walking and tried going to the grocery store with my mom highly not recommended, the floors at a grocery store is to much for the spine, and legs. Numbness in my legs went away slowly, however by week 4 I was doing much better. Physical therapy started about 6 weeks out, and I did the PT until February, so about three months total. Every day I began to improve. The best thing my ortho advised me to do was to take my time, and not to overdo things.
Lately my back has been hurting however walking seems to help, however I think I must have twisted weird or something that is when both of my legs had 80,000 pins and needles into the heels thus seeing a Neurosugeon in Atlanta I moved in March 2004 and got a new job (Bonus ) since having the surgery, he wants to take a look at the L5-S1 and see what is going on, so for now I really can't answer about the facet joint.
The ortho in Syracuse NY that I saw was Dr. Yuan, he is a great doctor, and he doesn't hold anything back, so what I will be doing is after I get the CT results etc... I will be taking the films to him.
One thing that I wasn't able to do after the surgery was lifting heavy things, but now I am able to lift more then 5 pounds, but not over 50 pounds. Oh I do want to point out that I was feeling a great deal of pain for about 3 weeks after surgery, but by week 4 noticeable changes the pain level going into having surgery was 10, after 4 weeks down to a 2, I get achy now and then, actually walking 15 minutes the pain was gone. Until recently that is, but I will have to wait on that.
__________________
I had the prodisc surgery at level L4-5 on October 9,2003. I have L3-4 and L5S1 starting to go bad... but will look into that in the future. Epideral blocks are helping.
That sounds like a good recovery and what my doctor quoted. You mentioned pain in your legs, did you have this prior to the surgery or was this completely driven by the disc replacement ( I am not talking about your current state but more about just after the surgery).
I am sorry again how you are feeling now and I hope that you find relief.
I had pain in my legs, to the point they were buckling, falling etc.... I had to use a cane for a while too. After sugery the pain in my legs were gone after 2 weeks. However, each person is different on when the leg symptoms, and if they had to make room for the ADR.
I did forget to mention that I was on pain medications until about 4 weeks after the surgery, I think mostly the medications was for the incision. They put the ADR in the lower abdomen. I have a 6 inch scar considering this was major surgery it's not bad at all. I also forgot to mention that I had to wear a back brace for 3 weeks, and then the ortho told me I no longer needed it.
__________________
I had the prodisc surgery at level L4-5 on October 9,2003. I have L3-4 and L5S1 starting to go bad... but will look into that in the future. Epideral blocks are helping.
I had fusion and a Maverick disc replacement in July 2006. The best choice would have been a 2 disc replacement but because I had facet degeneration I had to settle for the fusion at that level (L3/4).
Artificial discs have been used in Europe for nearly 15 years now and studies have shown good long term outcomes. The advantage over fusion is that mobility is preserved at the site. Fusions often have a domino effect on the adjacent discs, causing more wear and tear on them leading to further fusion surgery.
The disc vs fusion decision is made on diagnosis,prognosis,insurance,surgeon and preference and is an individual one. From feedback I've read on another site that deals with ADR, most people are extremely happy with their new discs.
Oh, and the leg pain some people get after ADR surgery is called distraction pain. It occurs because the spine has to be jacked apart to fit the new disc in and most patients have had reduced disc height before surgery and can gain anything up to an inch afterwards.
Last edited by cathydownunder; 03-09-2007 at 04:36 AM.
Reason: additional information
Thanks for all of the information. I am very glad that insurance will cover both procedures. I just need to know if I am a candidate. I have several tests that need to be done to verify.
I was interested as well in the ADR and my doctor is trained in it; but I found out that my facet joints were very arthritic and so I wouldn't be a candidate for it. The dr. said the facet joints need to be strong to hold the ADR. My fusion will now be March 27th. That's great for those of you who can have it.
) since having the surgery, he wants to take a look at the L5-S1 and see what is going on, so for now I really can't answer about the facet joint.
