Intro, Freedom Disc trial candidate
 

Hi, I've been reading posts on this site for months and figured it was time to post. My pain started in Oct. 2008 but I didn't start to do anything about it until a year later.

I've tried every therapy (outside of steroid injections) to remedy the pain in my lumbar spine: I started off seeing an orthospinologist (waste of time) and moved into physical therapy (again, waste of time because I'm incredibly fit and used to be active), massage therapy (a godsend!), yoga, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, and finally decompression therapy and pilates.

I'm scheduled to have surgery on Nov. 30 as part of the Freedom Disc clincial trial in Charlotte, NC. It's being done by Dr. Dom Coric of Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates. Since the study is randomized, if I don't get chosen to receive the Freedom Disc I'll receive the ProDisc instead. I'm looking forward to getting back to an active lifestyle.

klb

klb,

Condolences on your condition, but welcome!

I've only ever read glowing reports about the Freedom disc; and there are people out there walking around that have had the ProDisc-L for 20 years. So either way, barring complications, your chances for an excellent outcome sound quite good.

Please let us know when you have the surgery and how your recovery progresses.

Good luck, Jeff

Good luck!
 

Hope all goes well with your surgery. I would love more info if they are still seeking candidates!
Best wishes!

Found the study online, and I probably don't qualify with 2 levels deteriorated. If you hear anything different, post again on the topic please!
Best of luck with your surgery. How exciting!

Joey Sue,

If you are interested in being in a clinical trial, check out this web site. Search for artificial disc. Most trials only allow patients with otherwise pristine spines.

Good luck, Jeff

Jeff & Joey Sue,
Thanks for your responses. I will definitely be posting more once the surgery is done so that I can share my experience with others.
klb

Freedom at last!
 

KLB,

Congrats. to you for geeting in on the study of the Freedom Disc. I looked it up on the web and it looks like a good device. Seems very similiar to the M-6. Keep us posted on your outcome.

JPJH

Hi klb -

I am also from NC (Chapel Hill) and will most likely be having the same thing done in Jan 2011. I am almost enrolled in the Freedom Disc study, one more visit with the study coordinator next week. My procedure would be with Dr David Musante of Triangle Orthopedics and done at the NC Hospital for Specialty Surgery in Durham.

My pain goes back to 1997 with a bulging disc at L5-S1, then herniated it in 2003. Had a nucleoplasty that did not work that same year, and have tried everything else (PT, meds, injections, alternative therapies, you name it ...). Luckily, the rest of my back is fine. Since surgery should be a last option, I looked at the clinical trial, and am very happy with my docs, facility, and hospital.

The place your going to is also very good. I think this is the same place, so I thought you might like to see a link about two of their surgeons rated as in the top 50 (this was found posted elsewhere on this site):
50 of the Best Spine Specialists in America
I will be interested to here about how your surgery goes!

Ken

Good luck on your surgery! This is my first post here and I was also accepted for the Freedom trial and fly out tomorrow and am scheduled for surgery on Dec 2nd at the Nebraska Spine Center with Dr. Woodward. I have had back problems for the past 13 years (and I am only 33) and my biggest concern is that because of how long I have waited to have this fixed, I am afraid it is going to take that much longer to feel better after surgery. My problem is in the L5.

klb,

Good luck tomorrow! Please update us when you're able.

Jeff