New to SPS -- Investigating New Technologies

**bphilhower** · 08-06-2009, 10:23 PM

Hello fellow back pain tolerators (sp?). I have suffered form low back pain since I was 17, felt my first "twinge" the morning of my 1st HS football playoff game. And of course I didn't say anything to anyone about it, I wasn't about to missed that game! Since then I have dealt with the effects of DDD in L3/4, L4/5 & L5/S1. These have progressively worsened over the past 20 years. I used to go a year or 2 without problems, then in the last 5-7 years it has been more like 3 out of 4 weeks I am dealing with some pain somewhere due to the discs. Investigated Microdiscectomy in summer of 2008 for L4/5 & L5/S1 herniations, but was told I was not a candidate because I didn't have enough radiating pain in my legs, mine typically just made my back and hips kill me and caused me to walk hunched over and crooked to the side.

My story problems got worse in March of 09, I was helping some of my students move some equipmebt and I "ruptured" the L4/5 disc and had to have immediate surgery. Had that Microdiscectomy on both L4/5 & L5/S1 on 3/17/09, recovered and about 5 weeks post-op I was able to enjoy the most pain free 3-4 weeks I had in the past 6-10 years. Then, pain returned, this time down left leg (I never had problems with the left side before). MRI showed new herniations on left side of L4/5 & a return herniation on L5/S1. Steroid injection for left side relieved that pain, but as that disappeared, the right side flaired up and has been a problem for the past month and a half. I asked about doing another microdiscectomy and my doctor says I need fusion to fix the problem. He says another microdiscectomy would probably only work for a short time like before. Don't know what I should believe. I REALLY don't want to undergo a 2-level fusion.

I refuse to accept that medical technology can create artificial limbs, artificial hearts, mechanical heart valves (of which my Dad has one), and other wonderful prosthesis, yet this ailment of back pain, that effects so many hundreds of thousands of people can only be treated with medical technology that is so old and out dated. I asked about artificial discs to a surgeon about 10 years ago and he didn't seem to give me much hope, but now I see that a couple have now been approved and more are in studies. I see that products like NuCore are being experimented with to replace the lost disc nucleus of DDD sufferers.

So today I am in pain, and both hopeful and frustrated. Hopeful that FDA and insurance companies find these new technologies viable and approve them for use AND for insurance coverage, and frustrated that they are not quite there yet. I pray that I can hold off on surgery long enough that I can take advantage of the new devices to relieve my pain rather than fusion.

I look forward to reading about other people's opinions, experiences and knowledge of new technologies as I continue to search for my magic elixir.

Thanks for having this site,

Brad Philhower

Sorry, I haven't figured out how to put my back's medical history down here yet like the rest of you. I guess it would look like this...

DDD L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 since 1989
Epidural Steroid Injection right side Aug. 2008
Microdiscectomy 3/17/09 on L4/5, L5/S1
Epidural Steroid Injection Left side L4/5 June, 2009
Epidural Steroid Injection Right side L5/S1 July 21, 2009
Epidural Steroid Injection Right side L5/S1 July 28, 2009

**Justin** · 08-06-2009, 10:53 PM

Hi Brad,

Welcome to our global community of support here at SPS!

You have quite a spine history--I truly am sorry that you have suffered for so many years. Artificial disc replacement (ADR) surgery is a very promising technology for many Spine Patients. ADR is not a "cure all" by any means, but it has greatly improved the lives of many Spine Patients that I have spoken with over the last 7 years all around the world.

Have a look around the SPS Forums. We are here to support you with any questions you may have. The SPS members that frequent these Forums have very unique spine histories, have an incredible wealth of knowledge and are an unparalleled source of support. If you need anything at all, send me a private message or an email.

I wish you the very best.

**bphilhower** · 08-06-2009, 11:21 PM

Thanks! I have, and will continue to read about other people's experiences. I am learning so much here, and through other places online. It is kinda like a big treasure hunt :-)

**Gilbert P** · 08-06-2009, 11:48 PM

Hello Brad

I am sorry you are here

we are here to help, listen and encourage you in any we can.

Being a spiney is hard enough alone we have all been through many spine issues

and try to keep moving forward to find a treatment , surgery anything to be pain free and regain some quality of our life back

Welcome

Gilbert P

**Justin** · 08-06-2009, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by bphilhower

Thanks! I have, and will continue to read about other people's experiences. I am learning so much here, and through other places online. It is kinda like a big treasure hunt :-)

It's really like a treasure hunt--there were so many golden nuggets of information that ultimately shaped me into a well-informed patient and allowed me to confidently move forward with my artificial disc replacement surgery. Good luck on your hunt!

**ajj1001** · 08-07-2009, 03:19 AM

Hope your searching gives you the answers you need. Best advice is to read, read and read some more!

**Dave** · 08-07-2009, 05:21 AM

Brad,

Glad you found us but sad for the reasons you had to. Good luck in your search and please ask a ton of questions. Spine patients today have many more options available to them then were around 10 years ago.

Take care of yourself and we look forward in helping in any way we can.

**New-disc** · 08-07-2009, 09:42 AM

............

**Katie** · 08-07-2009, 10:51 AM

I'm glad you found us

Yes, if I had known all these people here, my journey would have been different. There is so much information through the personal experiences of our friends here.

Welcome!

**KBear** · 08-07-2009, 12:10 PM

glad you found us! This is such a wonderful resource for all of us spine pain sufferers. Ask any questions you have, there is no such thing as a dumb question, someone before has asked the same thing. If you post and don't get immediate responses, it's because we don't know; but be patient and someone will pop in with an answer or suggestion. The people on here are great and very helpful, supportive and truly understand what you are going through. Do your research and decide what is best for you. ADR is great; but is not for everyone.

You had your surgery the same day I had my Activ-L implanted at L4/5, March 17, 2009.

Nice to 'meet' you and hope to see you around.
Kathy