Prodisc success stories

[Lefo]

I was given a window of opportunity by my insurance co. to have ADR. Prodisc was one of only two with FDA approval at the time (2/24), so I went with it. Since then, studies critical of Prodisc have circulated. It's difficult to trust medical studies on any side of an issue, especially for any of us old enough to remember cyclamates. For the under 40 crowd, they were condemned as carcinogenic in the late 60s with a big mea culpa coming 30 years later. Anyway, it would be helpful to hear from anyone who has returned to an active lifestyle after prodisc without significant issues. If facet problems do occur, can they be remedied?

[Lyndsay]

Hi there

I'm sure you'll find there are those with "success" stories but I think it's worth remembering that what is a success can be different things to different people.

Sadly for me having a Prodisc was the biggest mistake of my life Even sadder is I'm not the only one At the moment I'm having to use sticks or crutches to get about or I'm stuck in bed. Walking has become dangerous as I've been having episodes where 1 or on a couple of occasions both legs, have suddenly given way & gone numb for no apparent reason, it's thought to be compressed nerves & I'm awaiting insurance authorisation for a new MRI plus a CT & Myelogram.

As for facets, I wasn't aware that pre-op my facets already had end stage arthrosis which should have excluded me from surgery. My facets are now shot to pieces & I'm facing having them fused.

I honestly thought that by having ADR it would be my one & only spine surgery, now I'm facing a further 2 possibly 3 surgeries!! The one surgery I want which is the removal of the Prodisc is never going to happen in the fore seeable future as currently there isn't a surgeon in the UK who can or will remove them. Most of my story is in the Surgical Outcome forum.

Sorry if this isn't really what you're looking for but it's my few pence worth.

All the best,

[mmarsh]

Lyndsay

I'm so sorry you are having problems. Would you mind telling me what the trouble was? Was it just the facet joints or was there a problem with the disc itself?

Missy

[Lyndsay]

Hi Missy

The whole thing has been a disaster!! The biggest problem is I should never have had any type of ADR at L5/S1!! The best thing to do is get yourself a cup of coffee & sit & read my story in Surgical Outcome.

Regards

[JL]

Hi Lefo and welcome. I have returned to activity that brings me back 20 yrs. I suffered for 14 yrs before surgery 2-prodiscs 6/15/05. When I met Dr. Yue in 05 I couldn't go 20 minutes without lying down. I called Dr. Yue in January 08 from the summit of Bromley MT in Vermont. I used to drift off to sleep dreaming of skiing (inc. summer) all my life. My favorite trail was Widow Maker at Sugarloaf Maine.

I don't even know the little ones are in there. However I will never lift anything again. I can do so much of what I used to, I am forever grateful. It is not perfection though.

[mmarsh]

Lyndsay

WOW! I'm so sorry that you have had to suffer so greatly because a surgeon didn't do his due diligence. It seems that some docs think they are god and it turns out they are really human and not such good ones at that! Did you ever hear from that guy? Have you sued him? He makes me very angry. I will send you some very good vibes. I'm sure it'll only help a tiny bit, but it's all I can do! I wonder why he ignored the protocol when he did your surgery. Again, I'm very sorry for the pain and suffering you have experienced at his hands. Please take good care of yourself and best wishes for a positive outcome.

Missy

[Lefo]

Bill:

It's good to hear something positive. Looking back at the films, I think I was sold a bill of goods and the disc should have never been taken out. Now I'm left fearful that I've sacrificed what I had left of active life. That's another story, though. But what do you mean that you will never lift anything again?

[Lyndsay]

Hi Missy

I don't want to block this thread so will reply in my own thread in Surgical Outcome.

Regards

[JL]

Hi Lefo,
By lifting I mean lifing outside the chest-waist range and just average life things.

Was it Liz Taylor that said if she were meant to touch her toes, God would have diamonds grow on the floor? or something. Even with this cautionary always on my mind, I still goof and seem to aggrevate something requiring a little down time. At year 2.5 I am just beginning to think about abdominal strenghening.

I am not sure how far out you are, but during the first year post op.when I did less than I thought I should, I got better faster and with less pain.

I did read your initial post about not being able to sit. That was one of my big symptoms. Did you have tail bone pain too?

[Lefo]

Bill:

I have a dull pain in the sacrum from sitting, which certainly was not there prior to surgery. I don't doubt I did too much too soon, but I had virtually no guidance. Any facet problems?

I'm starting a new therapy Monday, focusing on workouts in the pool. The PT cannot understand why I was allowed to do the things I did in the first three months. My intrigue with ADR, return to sports, seems a pipe dream now.