New L5/S1 Disc in December

[Spine Journey]

Happy holidays to everyone!

After months of trying to make a decision, I'm finally having my ADR surgery in December. I appreciate how everyone continues to share about their ADR experience; I'll do the same. First my lumbar and then I'll get back to my chronic neck issues.

Continued healing and positive energy to ALL

SJ

[Jstuckey]

Congrats and best wishes! I think that may be one of the hardest parts is just getting to the "saying yes" phase. Where and what kind?

[ouch2]

It is a tough step...making the decision to actually do it. I too have just made that decision. Will be getting a maverick at L5/S1. Scared but excited. What level are you having done?

All the best to you! Will follow your recovery, as I have to wait till February for mine.

Karen

[Spine Journey]

Hello Karen and JS, my level is L5/S1, device Prodisc at Texas Back Institute in Texas.

I'm going to focus on the lumbar for now, but I'll possibly need cervical ADR afterwards. Never thought I would have SO many spine problems at 45, and otherwise fit and healthy. Happy that medicine has advanced so with a positive Outcomes, we can get back to a life!

Karen, I understand your feelings of being scared. I was so apprehensive a few months ago, but I'm in a more positive place and moving forward. Feel free to PM if you wnat to simply talk.

Warm regards-

Spine Journey

[jss]

Originally Posted by Spine Journey

Happy holidays to everyone!

After months of trying to make a decision, I'm finally having my ADR surgery in December. I appreciate how everyone continues to share about their ADR experience; I'll do the same. First my lumbar and then I'll get back to my chronic neck issues.

Continued healing and positive energy to ALL

SJ

SJ,

You are going to have a great Christmas holiday!

Congratulations on finalizing the decision, being positive that it's the right one, and getting a date set. TBI is a world renowned spine facility and you're going to have a great outcome! We'll all be looking forward to that first post-surgery update.

Good luck, Jeff

[Cirobi]

Congrats!

I hope all goes well and you are able to enjoy a smooth recovery!

Your timing reminds me of my own surgery's timing. I had mine right after my birthday, so I thought of it as a slightly delayed birthday present. Haha. Who knew Santa Claus could deliver replacement spinal disks!

~Sara

[laid up doc]

best wishes for a smooth recovery!!

my surgery date was 1 month before my birthday... so i'll always remember the date and think of it as my early birthday present.

[Spine Journey]

Thank you, Everyone! I really appreciate the well wishes! Ciro and LUD, I had a similar thought regarding time of my surgery--it's my present to myself!

Question. First background and then question: I also have a neck issues as posted in my signature. I have chronic neck pain after a 4 level ( c3-7) cervical plasma disc decompression( PDD) in 2008. While that procedure cured the debilating ocipital headaches thatbI suffered from due to the neck injury ( and I'm thankful) it left me with chronic neck pain. Since that procedure, I've adjusted my life, had injections,blocks, I get acupuncture often, massage often, PT, pain management, cognitive behavioral therapy and still left w/neck pain.

I've considered having another cervical discography to attempt to identify which of the 4 cervical levels could be the culprit. A PM doc told me yesterday that because the PDD interrupted the nucleus center of the disc's that he may not get a good read to identify the culprit. He said I may react to the discogram injection at all levels. That wouldn't be good. My recent cervical MRI shows deccication at multiple levels c3-7. I've had many surgeons and neurosurgeons look at my cervical imaging and they all say I have DDD at to many levels to do surgery. I say pick the worse one and correct it.

Now the question: has anyone had this procedure Plasma Disc Decompression and left with chronic pain afterward?

Unfortunately I have multiple levels of mild DDD, protrusions, a bit of spyndilosis in my neck.

SJ

[jss]

SJ,

I don't know about the Plasma Decompression, but have a thought on four levels being too many address...

Four levels may or may not be too many levels to address, I don't know; but can tell you that I have had four cervical levels surgically addressed in three different surgeries over a ten year period. I have two fusions and two ADRs and am doing very well.

Good luck, Jeff

[annapurna]

Bertagnoli replaced every level in one gentleman's c-spine with a mix of ADRs and fusions a few years ago and he was reported as doing well months out from the surgery. Clearly, four levels can be done if you're bad enough right now to be worth the risks.

Unfortunately, I also don't know much about PDD. What little I was able to see on a Google search doesn't explain why a successful procedure would be a contraindication for future discograms. In fact, it would seem like a failed discogram would indicate a failed PDD and a disk sorely in need of help, but that opinion is probably worth less than you paid to read it.