Duration of the artificial discs?

[JM31-SPAIN]

Hello, excuse me because my english is bad. I´m sorry.

I am 32 years old and I am sportman of profession with DDD L5-S1.
My option is ADR Activ-L or Fusion.

I have 2 questions for everybody:
1) How many years can last an artificial disc? 2) Can be made all type of impact sports or be raised loads with the artificial disc?.

Thanks you very much.

[Terry]

Load testing has been done to simulate 31.5 years Maverick and probably up to 50 years. If I live 31.5 years longer I'll be quite happy as I am already 50. There is no definitive length of time anyone can give you for sure.
As far as impact I suppose it depends on what you are going to do. Running I understand is quite possible but if you are in that bad of shape to need an ADR what type of impact sport do you want to be involved in?

Terry Newton

[Harrison]

JM,

The latest generations of artificial discs are designed to be extremely durable from a biomechanical perspective. Even before devices go to trials (most, if not all) are mechanically tested. The testing methods are actually fairly complicated, as revealed by the Q & A last year with a professor from Perdue, seen here: http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/t...1/m/7071010281

Most of the concerns and questions have been about the designs of discs, as they can vary considerably. I just posted a lengthy article on the (very low) long-term wear of the Charite’ disc, which has over 15,000 implants worldwide. See today’s post, there’s a PDF document:

Publication: In Vitro Wear Assessment
http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7501036081/m/8...861030032#5861030032

The Charite’ design is “unconstrained,” designed to maintain weight-bearing loads and translate stresses and movement like an actual spinal disc. The ProDisc et al have a “semi-constrained” design that constricts certain movement, a consideration thought to be important for some patients with arthritic conditions. The arguments (pro and con) for each design get real technical, real fast --- but the outcome data for both Charite’ and ProDisc patients is surprisingly similar.

See this topic for more information:

Long Term Studies – Charite’
http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/t...1/m/1491009412

To answer your question, in the last 2 years, we've seen these kinds of athletes receive artificial discs: baseball, rugby and soccer players, weightlifters, golfers, cyclers…but I am sure that I missing quite a few!

Gracias por pedir...es este claro?

[Terry]

Posted January 29, 2007 05:35 PM
http://adrsupport.org/eve/forums/a/t...1/m/7071010281

This article is informative.
1. Estimates of 10-20 years.
2. Don't pick up struggling children
3. Don't smoke. (Duh!)
4. Don't get hit by low hanging branches

I was surely hoping I would get 30 years out of my artificial discs. This is the great mystery. No one can give a definitive answer and we will all be guinea pigs. Oh well. As I have said before, I will take the pain I am in now versus before the surgery.

By the way _____ from Spain; I am a cyclist and will continue to cycle long-distances and at speed after my surgery. Ultimately you will have to decide what you believe you can do after a surgery.

Terry Newton

[ZorroSF]

I think you're asking the wrong question. The question shouldn't be about a duration issue of ADR compared to fusion. The question should be what is your pain generator.

If your pain generator is coming from the vertabral joint even though you have a bad disc, ADR might not be a good option for you because the pain will probably still exist after ADR surgery. It's best to ask people who have had ADR if they have the same symptoms prior to surgery and what their doctor has told them might be the cause of continuing pain.

[JM31-SPAIN]

Thanks you very much everybody (Terry, Harrison and Zorro).
My vertabral joints are goods Zorro: I was in Alphaklinik.

[Harrison]

Zorro raises an obvious point that we have not learned from you yet. What is your spinal diagnosis? And all the "usual" questions...

- are you under the care of an experienced spine surgeon?
- have you had a discogram?
- are you convinced of the location of the pain generator?

Thx Zorro, for the "Hail Mary" catch! Back to you, JM. Please tell us more and how we can help.

[JM31-SPAIN]

What is your spinal diagnosis?

Sport accident in February 1999 with continuous lumbar pain: Herniated disc L5-S1 with multiple treatments (epidurales blocks, TENS, rizolisis, ozone, radio-frequency,… without results.

Black Disc and 50% of height of the disc: Endoscópic Abrasion with Dr Hoogland (Alphaklinik) in December 2006. It follows pain lumbar with certain improvement and it appears sciatic right leg.

Are you under the care of an experienced spine surgeon? In Germany Dr Hoogland and Dr Zeegers. In Spain neurosurgeon Dr Santos. 2 possibilities: L5-S1 Active-L Artificial Disc or L5-S1 Fusion 360º.

Have you had a discogram? Yes with Dr Hoogland.

Are you convinced of the location of the pain generator? yes, my L5-S1 disc, because rest column and facet joints are very well according to Hoogland and Zeegers.

<span class="ev_code_RED">My doubt is if with the artificial disc I can make all type of sports as well as with fusion?
I am Professor of Physical Education and I would not like to have to limit to me by fear to fails the disc </span>: gymnasium, ski, squash, tennis, race, mountain bicycle, handball, motorcycle,..…

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">I am 32 years old: will last all my life the artificial disc to me?</span>

<span class="ev_code_PURPLE">if it fails the disc there is good results with the revision or fusion? </span>

Your opinion Harrison, Alaistair, Terry, Fox,…?

I am sorry if my english isn´t good.

[Alastair]

Hi JM31,
If you are consulting the specialist at the AlphaKlinik, Dr Zeegers and Dr Hoogland are probably the world's most experienced surgeons. I had my surgery there and certainly would not like to put my opinion against those of such experienced worldwide experts.

I think the main thing that you have got to think for yourself, is a psychological one. You have got to be absolutely satisfied in your own mind, that you have taken the best decision for you! Do remember that all surgeries are not guaranteed, and no matter how good the patient or the surgeon, every surgeon does have his failures, sometimes for no apparent reason.

I am very interested to hear about your abrasion treatments at the AlphaKlinik and look forward to hearing the long-term outcome of that.
Best,
Alastair

[Terry]

I agree with Alastair. Surgery is a very complicated thing and anything can happen once the human organism is opened up to the outside. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each available and suggested procedure before making up your mind.

Having an understanding of your athleticism I understand your desires to stay fit and active. No matter which route you take you will possibly have some deficits. Knowing that can help you plan, with your physical therapist, your rehabilitation program to get you in as good of condition as possible.

I am 13 weeks out of 4 disc replacement this Saturday and feel great though have considerable distraction pain in the feet yet. Still I am very active and have been back to work since 8 weeks post-op. I have taken many road trips, been involved in much walking, physical therapy, spinning, and snowshoeing. I am amazed at how straight my spine is and what I am capable of now post-op. I believe I am a miracle. I will celebrate my 50th birthday February 27th so I am thrilled to have chosen the surgery I selected so far. I can say that the pain I am in today is nothing compared to what I have experienced pre-surgery.

Good Luck in your journey.

Terry Newton