Hi Everyone,

At the beginning of this year I was involved in a terrible auto accident which left me with a 6mm protrusion in L3/L4 and a 12mm protrusion in my L4/L5. I've consulted several physicians and they immediately wanted to replace them with a ProDisc-L ADR as well as an Infix Cage. I'm 25 years old, healthy and in great condition before the accident. Now, I can barely walk without a stabbing pain in my lower back. I've tried therapy for 3 months but it feels like a temporary fix with the pain still present. I have an unusual high tolerance to pain but the stress has caused me to do things that are not in my character (ie. easily frustrated w/ coworkers, unusually depressed, easily angered, snappy, overall not a pleasant person). I really think that surgery should be a last resort but the doctors have been telling me that this is the only possible solution. Dealing with the consequences of the accident have been so stressful on me and my body and honestly I feel as if the doctors are almost too quick to suggest such a surgery which would most indefinitely change my life forever. I'm currently in the process of getting several opinions from different orthopedic surgeons as well as neurosurgeons BUT if anyone has any advice/thoughts with such prosthetics and surgeries, I would love to hear from you.

Thanks!
Kim