a broken soldier's introduction (ruptured L4/L5 & L5/S1)

[xnatex]

Hi all,

Im 26 years old and ive ruptured both my L4/L5 & L5/S1 during my employment in the army.
The army was my life, i planed to never leave, im only 1 year of my long service (10 year mark), then i got hit with this injury which has forced me to rethink my life and leave my dream job.

Im currently in the process of getting medically discharged and wondering what im going to do with my life now.
Exercise is a major part of my life and seeing as it hurts to do most types of training im leaning towards the artificial disc replacement surgery as oppose to the spinal fusion ive heard so many terrible things about.

So yeah, thats me

[Cindylou]

xnatex, welcome to SPS. Your title speaks volumes. I'm sorry. I would first like to thank-you for your service to our country. My step-son just got back from Afganistan 1 week ago and we are most grateful for his safe homecoming. Being young will serve you well during the recovery phase of any surgical intervention. Keep researching your options and definitely get a minimum of 3 expert medical opinions from Dr's. Good luck! Cindylou

[xnatex]

thanks Cindylou,

I see you have the pro disc in your lumber? what do you think of it?

[Katie]

Welcome, and I want to echo Cindylou's sentiments.

We have another member here named Kokanee who is in a similar circumstance, although he is in the Canadian military. You might do a search and chat privately?

I might be able to put your mind at ease a bit regarding fusions. In March of this year, I had two done at L4/5/S1 by Dr. Luiz Pimenta in Brazil (as well as an ADR at C5/6). I fought long and hard against a fusion for several years, but because of severe metal allergies I had to accept the plastic PEEK discs (cages) instead, with no rods, screws or plates. While I am stiffer in those two levels than in my neck, I am still very happy to have gotten them.

The fusions have reduced my pain levels significantly and I am getting back to my old life and counting my blessings. Dr. Pimenta is very highly regarded, and when I asked him about the problems of fusion, he said that he did not expect further deterioration in adjacent levels because of the surgery. Yes, those levels are far from perfect and may break down eventually, but that the fusions shouldn't make them worse by themselves.

He also said that as far as my L5/S1 level went, that he would have done a fusion anyway, even if we had other options. His belief is that there is a rush to do too many ADRs where they are not appropriate. Now, he could have been talking specifically about my case when he was discussing the issues with fusion...I never went that far in the debate.

If there is anything more we can help with, please just ask. There is a wealth of experience and knowledge here, and we're here to help.

[ajj1001]

Welcome to the forum. I can really identify with the statements about exercise being a major part of life. I used to train 6 days a week for the events I did. Getting a good outcome with either ADR or fusion is the most important thing not which op is diagnosed as the right one for you. Ok with a fusion there are more restrictions during rehab but the outcome can give you your life back so is worth it.

I have a daughter in the military so know a little of the life and just want to say thank you for your service.

[Justin]

xnatex,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

As others above have mentioned, thank you for your service. I can empathize with spine issues in your 20's--it's no fun, but it doesn't mean that you can't find new hobbies and things you enjoy to do. I was super fit and I loved lifting weights; plus, I was an adrenaline junkie. I can no longer lift weights or do some of the "crazy" things I did in the past, but I've picked up a ton of new hobbies along the way.

Also, as Katie mentioned, fusion is not a "bad" procedure. Spinal fusion has been greatly refined over the last 50 years. For many Spine Patients, fusion is the best operation for their unique situation.

Artificial disc replacement is, unfortunately, not a "fix all." However, in properly selected Spine Patients, ADR can produce great outcomes. This goes without saying, but all spine surgeries inherently alter the anatomy & physiology in our spines.

When Spine Patients reach the need for spine surgery (only ~10% with spine pathology need surgery), the alternative is continued disability and pain. At least spine surgery produces the hope and the intention to correct things that are wrong. Will spine surgery make everything as knew? Of course not. However, it's the best we've got and sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

I've had three spine surgeries and I will be turning 31 at the end of this month, so I know the hell that is spine issues at a young age. If you would like to talk more in depth about my experience, feel free to send me a private message and we'll set something up.

I wish you the very best in your journey forward.

[New-disc]

Thank you for your service!

Do lots of research.... and try not to lift anything heavy!

Be kind to your-self.... eat healthy, walk when you feel up to it, and swim when you have a chance.

My weight limit is still only 5 lbs... this is due to not wanting to risk more injury to what damage has already been done.

Never give up hope... this picture was taken of me hiking 3 years after disc replacement, and 1 year after neck fusion.

to the forum....

[Cindylou]

xnatex, Prodiscs were the golden nugget only 3.5 years ago when I had my surgery done. But more important than the actual device, is the surgeon you have do the operation. I had Dr. Bertagnoli who is considered one of the leading authorities on multi-level disc replacement, both lumbar and cervical. And there are a number of other excellent surgeons as well that some of my buddies here at SPS have used, who gave them remarkable 2nd leases on life. Dr. Pimenta is one, who Katie used. Texas Back Institute (TBI) also has a stellar reputation. I've heard only good about Dr. Bitan, and a relative newcomer, Mr. Nick Boerlee, (sp? and fyi: British doctors apparently don't use Dr. title) before their name, is getting a lot of press, all excellent, from recent surgical folks on here. I won't lie. My back has not been 100% since my Prodiscs were installed. 3 artificial discs is a huge alteration to the natural spine. It has nothing to do with Dr. B's expertise. But I muck along....Cindylou

[KBear]

to the forum and thank you for your service. I'm sorry you are facing spine surgery, but you have found a great support place. I also recommend getting at least 3 surgical opinions and researching all your options. I would also ask the surgeons what about a hybrid surgeon, where they fuse L5/S1 (which doesn't have a lot of movement anyways) and put an ADR in at L4/5. There are several reasons surgeons do this, one is the theory that the ADR on top of the fusion will protect adjacent levels. I'm not sure if going out of country for surgery is an option or not, but in the US you will most likely be suggested a fusion or hybrid as we only have FDA approval for 1 level. There are a lot of great surgeons that you can send your films and medical records to, who will review them without physically seeing you and give you an opinion on what to do for a free or a small fee- I would do that even if you have no intention of using them, never hurts to get different viewpoints.
Also, as Justin said, there are a lot us spine patients can't do, but there is still a lot we can do. I was injured at 25 years old, when my 2nd daughter was 2 weeks old. I went 3 years before having surgery and took another full year to heal from surgery. I had been told I'd never have more children, that it wasn't possible. I'm now pregnant with my 3rd child and 100% pain free. It's possible to return to a normal life, just takes patience, persistence, and time.
Best of Luck,
Kathy

[Hooch]

Gday mate, it's an arsehole of an injury when it takes your career away.

Disc replacement is about an 80-85% chance of patient satisfaction (according to the surgeon I just saw, the literature shows a similar figure).

If you're straight up blown out discs they'll replace both levels or consider fusing the bottom one and replacing the top one.

Just make sure your surgeon is a good one.