Duration of the artificial discs?

[JM31-SPAIN]

Other cuestion for everybody (Harrison, Alastair, Justin, Terry, Zorro,...:

I am professor of kickboxing also (but I do not want to compete, to only train).

Sports as Judo, boxing, kickboxing are possible with ARD?.

Bests regards.

[Justin]

Hi,

I would say they are "possible," but these sports are very high contact in which your body will be dealing with great forces applied to it.

I used to be on National Ski Patrol, but I have yet to get back on the mountain to ski. This is more of a personal choice than a limitation.

I remember my pain before surgery and how disabled I was--how I needed a caregiver, etc. Thus, I am very cautious with my activities (although I am able to do anything I like). I avoid high impact activities.

Dr. Bertagnoli, my surgeon, gave me a basic analogy of taking a high-end car off road that is not meant to be taken off the highway--it won't last as long and you will have to replace it.

In short, I do as much as I can to prolong the life of my discs. There are things I do miss; however, having my life back without medications and a disability is absolutely amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Good luck in your decision--you are asking very good questions. Let me know if I can help in the future.

Justin

[ZorroSF]

I really hate to be negative because it's the last thing anybody wants here, but you need to come to terms with yourself and accept you may never be as fit in shape as you once were.

Both fusion and ADR will limit your range of motion. Fusion much more so than ADR, but both have restrictions (especially hyperextension).

Martial Arts may be something you might not do again. On the otherhand if you're as healthy as you say you are, then you have a much better chance at recovery than most people who frequent this forum. I used to be in excellent shape (not marathon runner, but I did train for Muay Thai and other arts). At this point after ADR I don't see myself ever doing that again. The impact was severe and I don't want to risk damaging my back in the future.

you'll understand if you undergo the operation. It's not something you ever want to revisit again. Make your choice, be happy with it and don't look back. It's not the end of the world, but it is a setback.