It's awesome to hear you are doing so much better! Keep it up!

Clauda I find ur success very interesting as I am currently trying to contact dr bierstedt. May I ask how he determines what size and height disc to use and was his approach front the front or an more of an angle. U seem to be a true success and your doctor is top notch thx in advance.

I was referring to the amount of height lost between the vertebra of the affected discs from the compression of the degenerative disks.

Hi Boxer78,
Glad to hear you getting some answers. Have you heard from Dr. Bierstedt yet?
My surgery was done anterior (from the front), my insicion is about five inches long and horizontal under the belly button. The surgeon has special distractor instruments to bring the vertebral space to normal hight then he can implant the appropriate size artificial disc. Dr.Bierstedt answered any question I had, he is very personable. Glad to hear my story can help somebody else.
Claudia

Yes I've made contact and am sending my info to him. I swear docs in this country scare me. Today I saw a top level spine surgeon who said despite my herniations and burning pain radiating through my groin feet and legs says the herniations aren't that bad???????? I mean at what point is it enough? When I'm unable to walk or peeing on myself?? Thx for info

And then said all he could do was a fusion and disc replacement has come and gone in this country??

Quick test: if the surgeon doesn't ask about your condition and confines him or herself to just reading the films, that's a bad sign. They should be concerned with how you're doing, not what your films say. Once they understand your condition, the films should be helping them understand what's happening with your spine.

Johan you mind me asking what your exercise capabilities are?

I totally agree I mean if I had no herniations etc I could understand but my back is mangled and my lower body is on fire!!! What else you need??? How are your exercise regiments??

Yesterday was my first day back at work and it felt good working again. I had just minor soreness above my surgery level. After Ultrasound and Tens unit I did fine. It never happened before surgery that I improved so quickly to a 1 on a pain scale. Now, a day later I feel great! :beer: