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    Disk Replacement Surgery

    Has anybody had this surgery?
    I have been having lower back pain for close to 10 years. It flared up beyond its normal and tolerable aches and pains before Thanksgiving.
    Took almost a month to get into a specialist (Texas Brain and Spine Institute at Texas A&M health center). They wanted MRI and xrays to confirm their theory about degenerative lumbar stenosis. It took nearly another month to get into the Imaging department for my MRI.
    Dr. Friedman confirmed that my L4 and L5 discs are degenerating. One more that the other. The bad news is i am only 28 years old. I should not have this type of back issue at this point in life. He told me some people are just prone to back complications.
    The worst disc is worn just beyond 50% and at times, cause severe pain. But most of the year, i feel pretty normal. Only once or so a year it flares up bad for about a month. however i am useless. Cant do anything, not even drive.

    SO my options are to continue getting injections which is pretty much like putting a bandaid on a gunshot wound. Its not helping the problem, just covering it up. Or, i could have disc replacement surgery. It is relatively new compared to full on spinal fusion where they screw titanium rods to multiple vertebrae.
    The newer surgery is pretty simple and claim it to be a one and done thing. Should not have any recurring operations to replace for life barring any complications. They go in through the abdomen, move your organs aside then access the spine from the front. Then remove the bad disc and implant an artificial one. Dr. Friedman is a neurosurgeon and would be the one to do the operation should i choose to go through with it. He said the surgery usually lasts about an hour and a half and has a quicker recovery than regular spine fusion since the bone will not have to heal from screws and plates.

    Has anybody here had this surgery? If so, how did you feel after and have you noticed anything that doesn't seem right or normal?

    #2
    Good luck man. I have had 3 back surgeries but none were disc replacement. My latest surgery this June, they did a similar technique (in through the front and then in the back) but it was for the fusion. My L5 was gone from the previous two surgeries and degeneration. The replacement sounds like a better deal because I will probably end up with a 4th surgery in 5-10 years above the current surgery. But it was never mentioned as an option for me.

    Comment


      #3
      Hi Bloodstick:

      Sorry to hear about your back pain and issues. I've got spinal surgery (foraminotomy) scheduled at the end of January - but I'm an older guy (61) compared to you. My suggestion is to get a second, or third opinion before you commit to surgery. I really like my spinal surgeon - he is thorough, kind, and has a good sense of humor, as well as being a top rated spinal surgeon.

      My spinal surgeon is:

      Dr. Richard Wupperman: http://austinspinesurgery.com/team/wupperman.php

      Best of luck,

      Dave

      Comment


        #4
        I had my first one at about 28 just had another 2 years ago at age 50. Find yourself a good surgeon and you will be better off. After you recovery the worst part is losing mobility you will feel stiff but the pain will be gone for the most part

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          #5
          Man. This is a tough spot to be in. I haven't had any surgeries buy I was told by two specialists I needed similar surgeries. I have had Lower Lumbar Disease since I was 12 or 13. I did the chiropractor thing and injections for years. Like you said, bandaids. Well a about 5 years ago I really bad tennis elbow and my primary suggested Airrosti. They do soft tissue work. They completely fixed my elbow in 2 visits. I then impinged my shoulder doing military presses. They fixed that in 3 visits. My last visit the doc asked if anything else was bothering me. I told him nothing he could fix. He asked what I was talking about. Told him about my back and that I had terrible back pain for over 20 years. He wanted to try to help. After 5 visits my back was a good 80% better. I haven't even thought about surgery since. There are some days my back doesn't bother me at all which is amazing since I had bad back pain for over 20 years. Good luck with your decision.
          Fyi, I am in no way affiliated with Airrosti. I just know their treatment has greatly helped me. I have read of similar treatments that may be very similar. Again, they can't fix your problem but they may be able to help prolong the surgery.

          Comment


            #6
            My girlfriend had this done 2 years ago this week, at the age of 24. Spent new yrs in the hospital. She has full mobility now, and almost no pain. The worst part, was the recovery. They tear you up pretty good, replacing the disk. Lots of nerves, get their stationary life interrupted lol. She developed neuropathy in her feet, and it was pretty rough on her. It took about 6 months, before she was back 100%. From all the reading, we did, the disc has on average, a 20 yr life. Only option after that is a fusion. Only a handful of doctors in the world that will attempt to replace, or remove, a replacement disc, from my understanding. Her doctor made it clear, it was a last resort. Our plan is to eat healthy, stay in shape, and help that joker as much as we can.
            Are you getting the Pro Disc?
            Also there is a video on Youtube, of the surgery .
            As for normal and right, the only lasting hiccup, is numbness on the outsides of her feet. No pain, but not much sensation at all.

            Comment


              #7
              You mentioned spinal fusion. Which is what I was going to ask u about. Is that not a better option??

              Comment


                #8
                I have a ruptured disc L5-S1 that was diagnosed 9 years ago. I saw Dr Ken Bunch at Texas Orthopedics. Not many options. His advice was to go as long as possible as any surgical intervention is a last resort. They can’t ever make you 100% again. Spinal fusion will put more load on the surrounding discs and make them fail sooner. Disc replacement is higher risk and even more uncertainty with the result. His advice to me was to work to maintain a strong core. Doing so stabilizes practically your whole spine and reduces flare ups. I have found this to be true. When I work our regularly I’m mostly pain free. When I don’t, I notice right away. With as many issues as you’re experiencing I would recommend core strengthening as a first step -I’m talking Navy Seal style. Build up to an intense regimen and I bet you will see lasting results and able to post pone surgery as long as possible.


                Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

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                  #9
                  Originally posted by MadHatter View Post
                  My girlfriend had this done 2 years ago this week, at the age of 24. Spent new yrs in the hospital. She has full mobility now, and almost no pain. The worst part, was the recovery. They tear you up pretty good, replacing the disk. Lots of nerves, get their stationary life interrupted lol. She developed neuropathy in her feet, and it was pretty rough on her. It took about 6 months, before she was back 100%. From all the reading, we did, the disc has on average, a 20 yr life. Only option after that is a fusion. Only a handful of doctors in the world that will attempt to replace, or remove, a replacement disc, from my understanding. Her doctor made it clear, it was a last resort. Our plan is to eat healthy, stay in shape, and help that joker as much as we can.
                  Are you getting the Pro Disc?
                  Also there is a video on Youtube, of the surgery .
                  As for normal and right, the only lasting hiccup, is numbness on the outsides of her feet. No pain, but not much sensation at all.

                  Thank you for the first hand experience. From what i read about, they "claim" the disk is good for life, but this procedure hasn't been around long enough to know for certain yet. Going back in a second time on the same disk is extremely risky.
                  Its a tough pill to swallow. I know my back is in rough shape, but i have been able to tolerate it for this long. Surgery absolutely scares the bejezus out of me. And with a 3 year old at home, i worry about being able to do things a normal father can and to still provide should something go wrong or my body doesn't accept it well .

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by CrookedArrow View Post
                    You mentioned spinal fusion. Which is what I was going to ask u about. Is that not a better option??
                    Its more wear and tear with a longer recovery period. With spinal fusion, they literally screw titanium or cobalt rods into several vertebrae and it immobilizes the bad one. Like buiding a bridge over the effected section. It also limits your mobility. You cant flex very well with rods holding your spine together. Plus the location (my L4 and L5 which is the very last two disks above my pelvis) i would have a harder time going from sitting to standing or bending over.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by skiguy327 View Post
                      I have a ruptured disc L5-S1 that was diagnosed 9 years ago. I saw Dr Ken Bunch at Texas Orthopedics. Not many options. His advice was to go as long as possible as any surgical intervention is a last resort. They can’t ever make you 100% again. Spinal fusion will put more load on the surrounding discs and make them fail sooner. Disc replacement is higher risk and even more uncertainty with the result. His advice to me was to work to maintain a strong core. Doing so stabilizes practically your whole spine and reduces flare ups. I have found this to be true. When I work our regularly I’m mostly pain free. When I don’t, I notice right away. With as many issues as you’re experiencing I would recommend core strengthening as a first step -I’m talking Navy Seal style. Build up to an intense regimen and I bet you will see lasting results and able to post pone surgery as long as possible.


                      Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
                      This is the route i think i fit best. I anticipated getting an injection first to see how well i can handle exercise.
                      Several folks are telling me to go ahead and do the surgery while i am young and can recover better. To be honest, it scares the crud out of me. But i will have to get it sooner or later in life. The disc is just too far gone to make it another 40-50 years.

                      My brother, who used to work for Vanderbilt University Hospital, has a similar injury to yours. He herniated two disks in his lower back and one between his shoulder blades when he was in Iraq with the Army as a medic. He is still very much physically fit and said the same, that when he doesn't work out it gets bad. Some days, he cant even lift his arms over head height. Most of the time, he is fine as long as he stretches and exercises couple times a week minimum.

                      At my point, i am overweight but i carry it well. I'm 6'2 270lbs. Im just a naturally bigger framed guy. It is excruciating to run or get on an elyptical. With my issue being the lower back any exercise, at least for the beginning of my journey, would have to be low impact.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        my L4 and L5 went out years ago. The pain from the nerves getting pounde was enough for me to see a pain specilist and getting the injections and therpy with no relife he performed a procedure that burned the nerves in the area involved. i lead a normal lifeand have no pain and he said my back would probably fuse itself after some time.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Ruttin&Struttin View Post
                          Man. This is a tough spot to be in. I haven't had any surgeries buy I was told by two specialists I needed similar surgeries. I have had Lower Lumbar Disease since I was 12 or 13. I did the chiropractor thing and injections for years. Like you said, bandaids. Well a about 5 years ago I really bad tennis elbow and my primary suggested Airrosti. They do soft tissue work. They completely fixed my elbow in 2 visits. I then impinged my shoulder doing military presses. They fixed that in 3 visits. My last visit the doc asked if anything else was bothering me. I told him nothing he could fix. He asked what I was talking about. Told him about my back and that I had terrible back pain for over 20 years. He wanted to try to help. After 5 visits my back was a good 80% better. I haven't even thought about surgery since. There are some days my back doesn't bother me at all which is amazing since I had bad back pain for over 20 years. Good luck with your decision.
                          Fyi, I am in no way affiliated with Airrosti. I just know their treatment has greatly helped me. I have read of similar treatments that may be very similar. Again, they can't fix your problem but they may be able to help prolong the surgery.
                          Thanks for posting this information. I'm making an appointment to see them. I've had a lot of problems with my back. After surgery and years on pain meds I'm still weak and in pain a lot. Back has been out since two days before Christmas. Airrosti Sounds like it may just be what I need.
                          If they can help my back then maybe they can help all my other issues too.
                          Getting old ain't for wimps but sometimes ya gotta have some relief.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Good luck sir! Prayers up for comfort

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I had disk replacement, but it was in my neck. Had it done almost 2 years ago. So far it has been good for me. Before my surgery I could not get any sleep at all, now I sleep great. My doctor suggested the disk replacement over the fusion for better mobility since it was in my neck.

                              Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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