Artificial Disc Replacement

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Make sure you fully understand that the ADR is placed through the front once it is implanted there is no easy or safe way to remove it and fuse the joint. I thought like you if it does not work I will just get fused. Well it did not work and it was left in place and I was fused, but because the ADR could not be removed safetly the fusion can only be done on the sides and then re-inforced with roRAB and screws which is not as stong as solid bone. You also will have facet issues because the ADR will not move like your orginal disc. Sorry for the warning but I am just trying to save one more person from a life of pain and suffering. If you do choose to have the ADR I hope it works. lots of people feel great for a few months to a few years then problems start. ALso try to find a doctor for a second or third opinon after these problems start. When they find out you have and ADR they run not walk away from you. Good Luck
 
Thank you for your reply. I'm really at a loss as to what to do now. I hope your improving. The surgeon is basically saying this is my only option. I hope that I'm one of the lucky ones that it works and I can be normal again...thank you I will keep you updated. All the best, thanks
 
Hey So Cal, Tyler James, and others. I wish you peace and better fortune.

So cal -I am in a similiar situation, active, 46 and with an annular tear in L5 s1.

I have approval for pro disk in two weeks. But I will cancel, I am not 'bad enough' as one surgeon told me.

After reading these post, I am going to rule out the TDR. I am getting results with PT and 900 decompression, plus working my core strength to the limit everyday. I hurt but will manage, without surgery. Thanks for the honesty and advise.

Best to all,

Glenn
 
Hey I'm due to have ARD in about 6 weeks, could you tell me if you had your surgery and how are you now ? Tnanks
 
Hi 2Pages, I just had the same procedure on 12/9/2010. I assume that it was a traditional ACDF on C5-6 C6-7. How are you doing now? I had a plate, 6 screws and a cage with bone protein and bone fragments. I was int eh hospital for 5 days due to excessive swelling. What would have made a person a "good" candidate for the modern product with moving parts? Would that device added rotation and flexibility compared to the traditional process? I did not even know about that option. I really wanted an artificial disk, but found out I was not a candidate due to multi level and DDD and arthritis. I have never had a bone density test but feel that I should have one soon. I took all of the pain meRAB in the hospital that they thought were appropriate. I don't particularly care to take pain meRAB but had no choice prior to surgery. I was told that it is important to stay on top of the pain and not wait until it is excruciating which is what I started out doing. When I cam home, I weaned myself off of the hydrocodon and flexril within 5 days. I have taken an occasional flexril for muscle spasms. How are you sleeping? My surgeon was very liberal and I only wore a hard collar for 2 days and then into a soft collar. At 3 weeks he told me to start weaning myself off the soft collar as much as I felt comfortable to build up the muscles. He said as long as you are in the collar it will take that long to build up the strength in the muscles. Now I wear it if I take a walk, in the car, when I sleep and if I am sore. How long do you have to wear the hard collar? I have driven a mile or 2 to the local store. I would like to feel more comfortable driving so that I can go back to work as a teacher. I don't feel as if I have enough rotation in my neck to feel comfortable driving 30 minutes each way to work, especially if there is snow on the ground. I have been home for 5 weeks this Thursday and would love to be able to go back to work. My scar is only about 2inches long and I feel it looks better than I anticipated. I was warned that it might look "ugly" for 6 months. I also have a small circle where the drain was. I try to massage the area to decrease the scar tissue. Any idea how long the area stays nurab? Hope your recovery is still going well. Keep in touch.
 
SoCalMan,
I just wanted to let you know that I have started seeing a non-force chiropractor -- Dr. Mark Cornett in El Segundo ("Precision Muscle Balancing"). I have been going for a month, and for the first time in ten years, I am not in constant pain. My pain level is WAY down, and I have even had moments pain-free. It's nothing short of a miracle. I thought about you, and wanted to let you know, in case you are interested in seeing him. I am not kidding you -- this is changing my life. I was at the end of my rope, and this guy is changing my pain. It's amazing.

best,
fraujoolie
 
Okay, its 2010, so I'm hoping there is new data out there on the sucess rate of Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR), especially related to the ProDisc or ProDisc II. I've had MicroDiscectomy S1-L5 on 10-20-09, and reherniated that disc about three weeks after surgery. For the first two weeks I was in excruciating pain. Doc says I can either have fusion or ARD. I have constant pain, which is tolerable now (barely), but I can cause a Sciatic attack with only a little bit of lifting or moving (jumping, runing, too much bending, or carying things that are a little too heavy 10 to 20 lbs).

I read the horror stories about the Chiratic (or however you spell it) ARD, and have read a lot of good about the ProDisc II (sometimes called ProDisc-L for Lurabar I presume). My insurance doesn't cover the ARD procedure, and I am appealing, but the Doc says he has never seen this company approve the procedure. I'm looking into applying for the PPO plan (from the same company I have the HMO plan with), but I first am investigating whether they will cover it. It's wierd that this same company appears to cover this procedure in many states, but not in mine.

Has anyone heard of recent news about ARD? Some of the posts I've read were from 2003 and 2005. I would be interested in hearing how peoples experiences have been, and especially if you have had one of these for many years now.

I would like to return to a more physical lifestyle (especially hiking and biking), so I am wondering if its worth arranging my situation so that I can have that surgery.

Thanks in advance.
 
I had my surgery 3 weeks ago. Recovery is backwarRAB and forwarRAB. My arm movements ARE better though. Strength has returned to my right arm and hanRAB. I had 2 overnights in the hospital.
Follow up on my surgery. My neurosurgeon was pushing for the use of a modern product made up of moving parts as I previously stated and I was uncontrollably fearful of it. Coupled with the increasing porosity of my bone density as proven in 4 past density scans I felt that my research said I was not a good candidate for the replacement.I simply felt that I would always be thinking every creak and twinge I would ever feel was because the moving parts were about to malfunction. Neurotic maybe. I knew that I had the right to say no to the modern product. My surgeon was excited to be doing it with the rocking plates mechanism because my insurance had approved it but I didn't want to be a guinea pig. I am now almost 3 weeks post operative recovery from traditional ACDF C5/6 and C6/7. I went to a highly rated Boston hospital instead of somewhere closer, got wonderful treatment, compassionate aftercare and shouldn't have done it 10 days before Christmas. All recommendations on all boarRAB said take the meeRAB "AS PRESCRIBED" for first few days. I felt ashamed about taking muscle relaxers and narcotics (Im in recovery for another addiction) and so I didn't. I pushed myself too far, too much initially as is my typical M/O. My recovery as far as comfort took some steps backwarRAB resorting to heat wraps and icepacks, till after 2 weeks I called the hospital and was I re-prescribed muscle relaxers (5mg Valium) every 6 hours and I only couple it with 500 mg Xtra strength acetaminophen. I wear the Miami J collar 24 hrs a day, (yes, even sleeping) wearing the rubber-like Philadelphia style in the shower. I cannot drive due to my inability to turn my head and see safely and walking is the prescribed exercise. I have tried re-incorporating my previous physical therapy core-strengthening routines only to find I'm overly sore again. Following instructions isn't a strong point for me. I am trying to but feel trapped in the house in the winter. The scar looks a bit worse than I had imagined. Rather like a 3 inch earthworm on my neck. Im aware of there being something in my neck (they used a Depuy Uniplate with screws) as all of the nerves, muscles etc that were cut away are growing back and signaling to each other again. I don't know if I will always feel the fusion plate or not. I have spoken with 4 other ACDF people directly and they are many years past this early stage of mine and are all grateful for the opportunity to have found help. Too long a post. I know. I suppose my moral to the story is:
1) Be informed
2) Be your own strongest advocate
3) Go to a reputable highly accredited hospital even if its not convenient
4) Follow their advice for post operative recovery.
5) ask for help, let people give you help and say Thank you.
6) REST
 
I never got the sugery because the doctors denied my appeal. I must say, in reading their explanations for the denial, I am in agreement 100% and I am glad I didn't have the surgery.

I am not in perfect shape, but I can walk, clirab a latter and do most anything, but I have pain afterward for a day or two if the exercise was vigorous. I have pain anyway in my S1-L5 area, but its not too bad. The worst of it is that I can't just do regular exercise like I use to, or even too much bending over. The good part is no more Sciatica. I loose my balance a little, but I am attributing that to maybe lost data packets between the brain and foot/leg due to the problems in the s1-L5 area. But I would hate to have a major surgery like the ARD and still have problems. I kind of wished I'd never had any surgery at all.

I am waiting for better treatments. I am hoping that Stem-cell treatments will become available for generating disc tissue. I'll be 48 in April, and I am hoping that in 10 years they have something ready that is better than what they have today.

My advice to you would be to wait if at all possible, but I don't know your situation.
 
Hi Frenchfri, Im sorry to take so long to reply to your kind message. My recovery ought to be just 1 week behind yours, having had my ACDF on Dec 15.Im concerned that my neck muscles aren't getting the opportunity to develop and would like to have been moved to a softer collar for certain portions of the day. Im still in the stiff MiamiJ collar but take it off for perioRAB of time at home or while eating (or trying to type on a laptop) I have tried sleeping without it and after 3 nights have gone back to wearing it in bed again. My neurosurgeon was quite adamant about how he expected me to be following his orders. Since I was so poor about following with the pain meRAB rules I figured I didn't want to mess anything else up. I see him next Thursday (6wks) and will be having followup X-rays then also. I have done a bit of driving and have been doing so since about 2 weeks. It started with small simple chores. I live in a seasonal part of Cape Cod that is small and quiet this time of year. Just a few simple straight roaRAB and if I went out early enough there was no traffic. No changing lanes etc. For my ACDF C5/6 C6/7 I had a Depuy Uniplate put in with I assume 3 screws from what I can tell about the product online. No cage. I was sent home with a short script for Oxycodone and Valium (5mg) as the muscle relaxer. After my husband laughed at me for some goofy relaxed comment and said " I can tell you took your happy pills" I stopped taking them and felt ashamed. After 2 weeks of doing Christmas and New Years and struggling through I called the hospital and was re-prescribed Valium (5mg) and told to take it every 6 hrs along with 500 mg Acetaminophen. The nurse was kind but firm about not pushing myself too hard. I have been taking less of the Valium recently but originally did as I was told for about the first 2 wks in January but have cut back to 2-3 per day. Not 4. I still take the Tylenol product. I am drinking Ensure nutritional drinks. swallowing calcium and Vit D pills all with the hope of healing up better. I have lost a lot of strength on my right side and want to build that up again so I started back at the gym ( I know...) 2 and a half weeks ago. It feels great to get on the elliptical and raise my heart rate for 20 minutes. If walking is the only exercise I am allowed and it is snowy and icey I think its a good alternative. A week a go I went back to simple arm and shoulder strengthening machines. Im only lifting 10lbs as opposed to what I used to be capable of but I think that it is a positive thing for my head and I will look less lopsided and sloppy soon perhaps. My hospital stay was 2 days and then I didn't even stay in bed even though was supposed to. I had expected to 'feel the need to stay in bed' but I didn't. Powering through was stupid, unwise, and completely typical for me. While in the hospital I developed low blood sugar and required insulin for the first time in my life but it cleared up before I was released. My scar is less like a 3inch earthworm now and still visible however. Lumpy, sometimes sore, not smooth nor will it be I suspect. Its a bit higher than I had thought it would be but Im ok with the existence of it. I rub A&D ointment into it twice a day. I can understand your desire to get out and back to work. I, too have felt quite trapped and at the mercy of others. With your job it sounRAB as if the commute would be your biggest obstacle. I know I wouldn't trust myself to turn my head to change lanes, if need be. Im not working presently either but I know I would do more physical damage to myself if I went back there. I suppose I should stop writing. I tried responding about a week ago and then it vanished and couldn't sit still to do it again. Hope this reaches you, Hope your recovery is onward and upward, 2Pages.
 
Hi SoCalman,

I'm somewhat in the same boat, investigating my options about ARD, and actually, I'm losing my insurance coverage this summer. COBRA is running out, and I've been denied 3x as a private payer for insurance. My husband's self-employed, and I'm a part-time teacher (no benefits) and SAHM, so we don't have the luxury of a group plan.
Anyways, I had a consult with Dr. Kroph at Cedars-Sinai last week, and he mentioned I might be a candidate for ADR experimental trial, which would be at no cost to me.

I mean, that's as much as I know right now. I have to sort out my own head, and what to do. But I thought I'd pass along this info, in case it was helpful to you.
 
Hi, I am not sure if what insurance you have, but I am going through the appeal process now. I need and want 4 Prodisc-C. I have had 3 Prodisc-L since 2004, and I am pain free from my waist down. Can't say enough about them.

Best of luck
 
I worked with a guy that was the first person in America to get the artificial disk.

The surgery was 100% successful and he was up and walking right after the surgery. From what I saw of the artificial disk, it's a good device.

Back then it was a half a million and I guess the company offered the disk for free and his insurance covered the procedure. I don't know what the going price is now for the artificial disk but there appear to be quite a few companies making them now.
 
Hi SoCalMan (and others),

If you're anywhere near Los Angeles, I highly recommend Dr. Mark Cornett... he is a non-force chiropractor that does this technique called "Precision Muscle Balancing." It's painful - he digs around on your back and removes scar tissue. But it works. It has been nothing short of a miracle for me.

I was scheduled to get ARD last summer, and cancelled it. I do subscribe to this thread, though, because I was reading up on ARD earlier last year. Anyways, I have a central herniated disc L4/L5, bone spur L5/S1, and disc degeneration L3-S1. I'm 34 years old, and have been like this for 10 years. I had bad sciatica down my right leg, and hobbled around like an old woman. I've tried everything short of surgery. Someone at my gym saw me limping around one day, and gave me Dr. Cornett's card. I have been seeing him for almost a year now, and he is changing my life. I have gone from constant pain in the "7s" and "8s," to a mild, eh, "2 or 3?" ache in my back, sciatica comes and goes (it's bearable, and temporary), my posture is better, and I have pain free moments everyday. The silence my back feels is unbelievable. He is changing my life. My husband says I have a "different face" now. He didn't know me before my accident, so he says he's getting to know a new person.

I know I must sound like some sort of infomercial. I'm not. I am a real patient of his, and there are many, many others that he has helped. Even people that have had surgery. Contact me, if you have any questions or comments. I swear, this guy is an angel.

best,
Julie
 
Hi,

It's great to hear from someone who actually had success with the ADR, and especially from someone who has had multiple level replacements. My pain is getting worse in that now I don't have to do anything outside of walking and standing to provoke it, and after two days of basically staying in comfortable positions, it still hurts to stand and walk.

I live in California, so that is part of the name of my insurance company. The other part is the one that was recently in the news saying they are going to increase the rates by a huge amount. They bowed to political pressure and are delaying the increase by two months. I got the Blues in more ways than one, if you know what I mean 8>).
 
I am 1 month post-op prodisc-C C5/6 AND LOVING IT! C6/7 is next I hope. I am Army and have been in touch with a guy that got L3-S1 done PD-L and says he is nearly pain free after 40 days. I guess the back takes a lil longer to heal due to wt bearing. I looked him up through a friend as I am soon to ask for the PD-L for T11-S1 as many as they will do. I have yet to consult Ortho, and I know my Neuro guy only likes to do one level at a time, so I will find out what the surgeon is willing to do. I have little to no disc hight T11-L3 and L5-S1 BUT also a HX of broken vert at those levels so that may throw a wammy my way. Before my PD-C I was taking 900mg of Gabapentin TID, 100mg Tramadol QID, Percocet PRN some days 4 a day some none, and 75mg Nortriptyline at night for sleep. I am now at 100 mg Tramadol BID mostly for the LBP. Can't help you first hand about the PD-L BUT as for PD-C It has been a Sanity saver FERSHER!!.
 
I have had a Charite @ L5 S1 since 9/13/2002. Since then I have had 3 additional operations to try and fix this device. I can no longer work as of 2/18/08, constant pain. Depuy is being suied by lots of people. I would NEVER advise anyone to get one of these things it has ruiened my life and many others. Just because something is new does not make it better it only makes the problems it causes harder to fix. I am sure the Charite will kill me in the end meaning an infection on the plastic or OD on pain meRAB or maybe the day will come when I can nolonger live like this. DO NOT GET AN ADR!!!!!!! There are many more people like me out there some a little better and some a lot worse all have had an ADR inplanted.
 
I'm still in the appeals process with my insurance company for my ProDisc ARD. I don't know how I'm going to do it but I intend to prevail. I believe gradually over time the ARD will (and probably is) becoming more and more accepted as the correct alternative to spinal fusion but this process is too slow to my liking. I'm really stuck because ARD is somewhat unaffordable for me but at the same time I can't fathom getting a spinal fusion surgery when my surgeon (and some other surgeons) passionately believe that a ProDisc ARD is a superior option. Accepting an inferior spinal surgery could be the kind of mistake that could be the biggest mistake of your life.
 
Thank you so much for your reply....I'm just so over everything and being on all the drugs for so long (and pain) I guess I'm about in that space that I will do anything to get well again.. I have spoken to another doc re ADR and he has said go for it. My surgeon is one of the best in Australia and has had a high success rate in ADR. I think I will go for it and if it doesn't work, then fusion I really think it's worth trying. I'm not the best patient as I try to run before I walk, although this time I will take it a lot slower.. As I really want to be "normal" again...thank you heaps I will let you know how I go and good luck, take care. 
 
Thank you so much for your lengthy reply. Based on where you live, guess you are getting as much snow as I am (outside NYC). We are going to get another 3-6 inches Thursday into Friday. It is quite nice to talk to someone who has been thorough the same surgery right around the same time. I knew th follow the dr's orders on meRAB in the beginning. When I got home I made the mistake of trying to be "tough" and not take the pain meRAB. It got the best of me and then 1 1/2 hours to start helping. I still take a flexril ( muscle relaxer) once in a while. I was given a script for that, hydrocodone and Arabien when I left the hospital along with steroiRAB to reduce the excessive swelling that I had.Every surgeon is so different. In some respects I felt I wanted a hard collar. I spoke to surgeon and he gave me a Philadelphia (pink hard foam) that I only wore for a few days before I switched to the soft collar. Now I am glad that I did not have to wear a hard collar for 6 weeks. Hopefully you will be moved to a soft full time. My surgeon told me I didn't need to wear the soft at all anymore. I do wear it when I drive, out in public or sore. He said that it was fine, but don't over use it. I do not have much ROM. Only 5% going up, 45% down, and about 30% right and left. I also feel very weak. I wish I could do as much as you are. I am going to borrow 2 pound weights and start with them. I was also given and practiced neck exercises. No PT yet. They said if not much improvement at 3 months they would recommend. I still can not get comfortable in the bed and have been sleeping in the recliner. :( I forgot to ask the surgeon the name of the plate and cages that they put in. I did request a copy of the medical recorRAB so I am sure it is in there. My son (17) wanted a copy of the xray to show his class (Anatomy and Physiology) so they were nice enough to give a copy with hardware and one from a few years ago so they can see the difference. I have a plate and 6 screws. Very interesting to see. The cage was put in place of the disk that they took out since the area had collapsed. They also use BMP (bone protein). Glad the blood sugar worked its way to a positive outcome. That would have made me nervous. Glad that you are able to do so much exercising now. Wish I could, but I do not belong to a gym. My scar is shorter 2 inches and still raised and lumpy, but not what I would call ugly. I also have a small circle where the drain was. That is a little purple and lumpy under the skin. I have seen other patients with the same surgery by my surgeon. After a year you can't even see the scar so I am not stressing over it. I had my 6 week post op. Nor cleared for work :(. I sadly agree with the decision. I drove 20 minutes to work, then worked in my room for 45 minutes, chatted for 30 minutes and then drove 5 minutes to dr.appt. the 20 minutes to supermarket and another 15 minutes home. My shoulder and neck were sore by the time I got home. OUCH. They said I may not be ready for work until the end of Feb. That bothers me, but maybe if I can strengthen my neck, arm and shoulder muscles then I can do more. I think I can handle to drive, but teaching all day and then I would be a waste when I got home. That would not be fair to my son and husband. I'll try and keep my chin up (LOL) Have a good night.
 
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