[Chad]

Hello friends,
I want to start off by acknowledging how this forum has been for me a beacon of light in dark and stormy times over the last several weeks. Your feedback and advice, empathy for each other's pain, and ongoing support is truly remarkable and I am grateful to be a part of this community.

I'll provide the briefest of synopsis regarding my situation. In a sports related injury at 17 (1997) I herniated my l4/l5, which, after months of conservative treatment, led me to the operating table for a microdisctectomy. The surgery was a partial success and--like many before me--I overestimated what my back could handle over the next 13 years. Many a stupid activity did I and I suffered the consequences. . .

There were multiple disc bulges at l4/l5 that righted itself after steroid shots, osteopathic manipulation, physical therapy, time, etc. However, 6 months ago some critical event (not sure what it was) triggered a bulging disc that didn't right itself. An MRI (5 months ago) showed that there was annular tearing, DDD, and a bulging disc. Traditional methods (listed above) did not work and I have officially maxed out my steroid injections (4 in the last 4 months). Just had a follow up CT that supports the MRI's findings.

I'm in a great amount of pain that tends to be the worst when I fall asleep, which leads me to wake up at 4 in the morning on most days. I became desperate to the point where I considered fusion; that is, until I discovered ADR. Suffice to say, I became intrigued given the many stories that I was hearing about its success and there has been impressive literature over the last few years supporting its effectiveness.

Long story short. . . I discovered that there is a clinical study for the XL TDR that I am a candidate for and was really excited about it given the success of the XLIF. It's at Christiana Spine Center In Delaware and being done by Dr. Fisher. I was extremely excited up until the point where I began to read about metal-on-metal problems associated with other prosthetic surgical implants and now I am extremely nervous.

I'm wondering if anyone here has had the XL TDR procedure (or knows someone who has), if anyone has comments on metal on metal implants (e.g., safety, effectiveness, clinical stories, contraindications, warnings), and if anyone has personal experience with Christiana Spine in DE.

They're about to green light me and I want to make sure that I'm making the right decision. Many thanks in advance for your responses,

You humbled and scared friend,
-Chad