Hi Boxer, I have to chime in here. I am now 5 months post surgery, and I consider my 3 level of ADR a complete success. I have been off pain meds for about 2 months now, and I have not felt my back at all for 3.5 months, at least. I am back to doing physical work (carpentry) full time, and aside from minor muscle pain in my legs, I have no complications.
I gained an inch from the implants, and yes, I had pain until everything settled into place, (its hard to imagine spending years in pain and not using a lot of muscles as one should, that recovery will be easy), but with Massage and PT, I am now doing awesome!!
Like a few have mentioned here already, making sure you are a candidate and picking the proper surgeon are extremely important.
I also believe that your state of mind will influence your outcome. If you go into this thinking that you might/will not have a great outcome, then, chances are, it will go as you think it will. You need to have convinced yourself that you are going to come out of this better than you were before.
I wish you all the best and may you have results like I am experiencing.
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18 years of back pain.
Numerous x-rays
CT scans 2002 & 2010 showing disc herniation at L5-S1
MRI in 2012 showing DDD L3-S1
Scheduled for fusion here in Manitoba later in 2012 ( never did)
Went to Germany for 3 level ADR (M6) L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1 in late Sept 2012
3 months later, I feel Awesome!
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