Artificial Disc Replacement, Lumbar

[Gilbert P]

Hi Paudie

You have some great advise Keep us posted
We are here to help and learn

Gil

[Hooch]

Some surgeons will say you can't have a fusion cos you are too young and you'll blow the next disc, some will say you can't have adr cos you are too young and the artificial disc will wear out.

Others will just be thinking the lambo could do with a new coat of red.

Go figure.

Best of luck Paudie, I may be considering Stenum myself. Keep us updated on your progress. Dunno if I'm telling you how to suck eggs but make sure you reactivate core muscles (ta, multifidus, pelvic floor) and maintain endurance building exercises (spinal stabilisation physio). If you're constantly 'putting your back out' it's likely you have faulty movement patterns. The two books of Stuart McGill are worth every cent for self-education of your condition.

Cheers,
Chris.

[trkdoc714]

It sounds like the same assortment of opinions in Australia as the U.S. My favorite was "I don't understand why you're in pain" by the neurosurgeon (that ordered the CT/myleogram torture.....er, procedure).

Those sound like great books. do you have a link on how to get them globally?

[Justin]

Welcome Paudie!

There are so many great, smart people that frequent these Forums and many have been in your shoes before. We are here to help...let us know if you need anything.

[claudia]

Hi, and welcome! I am also considering surgery for a lumbar degenerated disk and have been given very good advice by fellow SPS members, and have learned so much from reading about everyone's experiences. The best advice I have gotten is to become as educated as possible on your conditon (although you have already begun to do that since you're here), and like Kathy said, to get as many opinions as possible, especially if you are considering ADR, to be absolutely sure that you are a good candidate. Like you, I also wonder if my pain is so bad that it warrants surgery, whether, like one doctor said, I should learn to live with the pain. One doctor that I saw actually told me that "unless you are incapacitated from your pain" that I shouldn't have surgery. What I think is, that obviously the pain is bad enough that I am going from doctor to doctor, spending money on Xrays and MRI's and getting steroid injections.

Good luck!

claudia

[Metalneck07]

Hello and Welcome
You have come to the right group.There is lots of information and everyone on here are super helpful and kind. I wish you all the luck in your journey.You have been given wonderful advice from the others . And with that everything will fall into place.I also have Lumbar issues mine is at the L4-5 and L5-S1.I'm scheduled for surgery in Sept. for ADR at 4-5 and Fusion at 5-S1.I will be getting the Prodisc.I feel good with the decision of the ADR .Unfortunately because of Insurance reason plus I'm not a candidate for a trial due too having two levels I don't have many choices in ADRs.
It's great that your considering the M-6 it sounds very promising from what I have read.Again .
Caitlin aka metalneck07

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I did a search on the Stauart Migill books. They are available for purchase but kind of pricey. I may check our public library, or hospital library. I haven't looked yet but Amazon might have it on their Kendle.

[Hooch]

Yeah they're available at backfitpro.com, but I wouldn't recommend buying them unless you're seriously into rehabbing yourself. The money would probably be better spent on a quality physio. I was stuck out in the sticks with no access to decent physios, so I don't regret the purchase.

One thing you've got to be aware of with McGill is he's into global stabilisation, and you can stiffen yourself up too much on that program. But it does teach good movement strategies and will provide pain relief to an unstable spine.

[Cindylou]

I ordered them last night. I'm desperate for relief.

[Hooch]

I'm sorry to hear you're getting such a caning Cindylou.

If you can afford it I'd track down a physio to take you through it, a lot of the stuff is body memory and can't be learned very well from a book. I don't know how widespread this sort of thing is in the US. There is a good program over here Bounce Back :: Home Page

If you start quizzing people about 'tranverse abdominus, multifidus, core activation, spinal stabilisation exercises', you will likely find someone who practises.

I should've mentioned this book before

Amazon.com: Spinal Stabilization: The New Science of Back Pain, 2nd Edition (9780968871515): Rick Jemmett: Books

It's a lot cheaper, covers the same material without the indepth stuff you dont really need to know, and is written by a US physio. It also does the TA activation and local stability which McGill doesn't really rate.