Silly question about ADR that I would like your help with....

[back2lifeplease]

Hi, it's me again. "Mr. I over rationalize everything." So when they put in the ADR in between your vertebrae how do the get it to stay without moving? I know they make some incisions in your bones to lock it in, but I can't imagine that the bottom and top of the vertebrae are as smooth as ice. So how does it stay secure? I wish I could draw on here to show you what I am talking about. Anyway, to much time on my hands again.

Chris

[Cirobi]

I think it depends on the style of disc. Some have keels that go direct in the bone while others kind of look like they have a bunch of metal teeth on them that go into the bone. Either way, I believe they put some kind of bone growth stuff in between there to encourage your bone to attach to the disc. When it was initially explained to me, it kind of sounded like a bio-glue.

I could be a little off in this or over-simplifying the explanation. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some better details.

~Sara

[annapurna]

First, don't worry about over-rationalizing. No such thing when it comes to a surgery that can have this kind of impact on your life if it goes wrong.

ADRs generally have keels or metal teeth to hold them in place until the body can grow bone to lock them in place. Many now have a coating that promotes bone growth to the plates to fasten them in place long term. It's also true that the body's weight tends to lock them in place. Shifting can happen but it seems like that it's mostly been a problem for people with low bone density. Not universally but that's the trend.

[janaya3]

As Cirobi mentioned there are keeled version and teeth version designs depending on the disc(s) being used and the surgeon most make a careful selection of which to use based on patient variabilty. Each of course has its advantage(s) and disadvantage(s). The different versions such as the keel design allows for immediate fixation of the prosthesis in your spine and gravity, ligament(s) do the rest of keeping it in place. Finally the surfaces of the artificial discs that make contact with the bone are sprayed with a substance that promotes bone growth or osteo-integration but this is a more complex process that takes time and if not mistaken about 6 weeks or longer.

[Jstuckey]

My understanding is as above, plus restrictions on extreme movement for several weeks post-op (forward flexion, extension, spinal rotation) - this is lumbar - until the bone has started completed some serious healing.