Poll: How long have you had your AD and would you do it again?

[jasonwidup]

Hi everyone. I'd like to do a little poll. I'd like to hear from people who have had their artificial disc for more than a few years and get a general sense for how they are doing and whether they would do it again. Please feel free to contribute as much or as little information as you're comfortable with.

Thank you!

[Cirobi]

I hit 3 years post-op at the end of June. Still doing well.

I do get some discomfort on a regular basis (i.e. mostly during/near my menstrual cycle... darn interconnected parts!) but it's significantly more bearable than my pre-op pain and I just know how to handle it better now that I can more accurately distinguish between muscular and nerve pain. Pre-op, I could only really identify it as "AAAAH! PAIN!" which doesn't always help in at home treatment. Haha.

Yes, I'll do it again if necessary and I'm still a good candidate.

Considering I have degeneration at other levels, I'm pretty sure I'll need at least one more level replaced at some point down the road. How long it will be until that point is the big question. I would imagine how soon that might be depend on how my spine handles having children. I'm hoping it'll be ok and I won't need to think about spine surgery again for another decade or so. We shall see though.

[Harrison]

Jason, see the results of my initial survey:

YouTube - Artificial Disc Replacement: The Patient's Perspective (Rehearsal)

It's in the last half of the video and provides a lot of details to answer your question. It was from 101 completed questionnaires, all of whom were patients from the ADRSupport community.

[JudyW]

I am 3 years 8 1/2 months post L4-5 ADR Prodisc. Great decision don't regret it one bit. Have had adhesion issues from anterior approach but well worth the decrease in pain. Have issues at L5-S1 but I had those before the surgery. Just hoped I could hang in and not have surgery at that level.

[Marc in PA]

It will be three years from me the end of May this year. I don't regret it for one second. I still have days that are aggravating---mostly driven by stress (have to work you know), but easily treated with an OTC pain killer. I still avoid things that could cause me problems--such as bowling, rollar coasters, etc., but I can throw batting practice with my baseball team, and can throw football in the yard with the kids---something I wasn't able to do without being in total agony before surgery. I would do it again, if I was considered a good patient for the surgery.

Forgot to mention I have a Medtronic Prestige at C6-C7

[Kirk]

Three year this past February, and the answer is absolutely would do it again, in a heartbeat.

[fl man]

7 1/2 years and still going strong at l5/si. I was the best decision I have ever made. I hope to be reporting the same with my neck in the future. Your doctor is the biggest concern in the decision making process. Your outcome is in his hands. Choose wisely.