L5-S1 Annular Tear, Looking into Artificial Disc Replacement

[cwurugger]

New member, L5-S1 annular tear with other damage, approved at Stenum I don't like the history at Stenum. Talking with Dr Boeree, I believe I will be in the UK in the next few weeks. Getting the M6, long history of L5-S1 problems, all other disk segments look good. Any input is appreciated!

[Justin]

Hi cwurugger,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

I'm sorry to read that you have been dealing with spine issues. We have had many Spine Patient Society Members travel to Stenum Hospital with great results.

Just some personal perspective on the "horror stories" at Stenum: most of the stories I have heard over the last ~10 years are not firsthand accounts, but rather posts from those with financial intere$ts that lie elsewhere [and other reasons]. This is not to say that there are not "failure" cases out there -- every surgeon has them. Just remember the source of information and try and contact the Spine Patients that have been to Stenum Hospital directly (we have many SPS Members that have recently traveled to Stenum with great results).

**Note: the Spine Patient Society does not endorse any particular surgeon, hospital or procedure; we welcome all Spine Patient experiences--good or bad.**

Anyway, how long have you had spine issues? Have you exhausted all conservative care? What does your imaging show? How's your quality of life? What are your expectations with spine surgery, specifically artificial disc replacement?

Please let us know if you have any questions--we are here to support you!

[trkdoc714]

cwurugger,

Regardless of your surgeon of choice, your confidence and trust in that surgeon and the procedure selected are the common threads in successful surgeries.

Good luck wherever you decide to go.

Bob

[cwurugger]

Thanks for the replies,
I have tried PT, acupuncture, epidural injections, swimming, inversion table, walking, bed rest. Injury was 8 months ago and I still can not sit at a office chair for more than 10 minutes. Imaging shows Annular tear at L5-S1 with significant loss of height and dehydration, large bulge contacting the nerve. Single level problem the other segments look good (or at least they did 8 months ago). I need to get on with my life and this sucks. I had become aware of some problems with Stenum and I felt the problems were valid (this is my opinion). With all the risks involved in spinal surgery and traveling to europe, I wanted a surgeon I had confidence in. Dr. Boeree called me the other day and we spoke for 30 minutes. My expectation for ADR is to reduce my pain to "normal levels". I am a 33 year old Firefighter/Paramedic and know I can not return to my previous work safely. After successful ADR surgery I will be returning to school to become a physicians assistant. The information on this site has been incredibly helpful. If anyone has experience with Dr. Boeree or the SpinalKinetics M6L I would love to hear it. I plan to travel to England in the next few weeks for implantation of the M6. Also, I promise to give updates after the surgery.

[cwurugger]

Good morning,
I am 4 days post surgery and happy as a clam. M6 ADR L5-S1. My pain had decreased to less then 10% of the per-oppereration discomfort. No joke or exaggeration. I can stand and sit for great legenths of time without the leg pain, back pain or back pressure. It took 72 hours to sort itself out before I realized just much my condition had improved. I believe there are 3 reasons for my rapid recovery.
1. Dr Boeree's expert approach and technical skill. No musscles was cut, incision was made at hip bone level and muscles were spread. Incision is stil very tender, just not debilitating
2. My injury is not as sever as many of SPS members, annular tear with buldging disk, decreased height, single level injury all other sigments looked good.
3. I am only 33 and in good health, I also got on this injury early before the superior disk segments could colaps or become damged compensatig for the L5-S1 injury.
4. The M6 provides greater motion and resistance to motion that sumilates a natural disk.

I would encourge eveyone to considering ADR to look at "the spine clinic" UK. The price was 18,300 pounds, this equates to $29,500. I found "semi business class" seating at a rather afordable price on Air France and Iceland Air. I do not beleive travel should be attempted for injured persons without increased leg room and seats that have increased ability to recline their seat. Also the Euro is headed for a slight to possible major decline in value. This could help ADR M6 seakers.

I know this sounds like I am 100%, I am not close at all. I believe this will take 3 to 6 months before I am back to 100%. I expect to be pain narcotic medication free in the next week or two.

Thanks to everyone who posted before me and the replies I recieved. Best of luck to everyone in pain, I hope you find a solution that works for you.

[ajj1001]

Thats excellent news, it sounds like Mr Boeree did a really good job. I hope the rest of your recovery goes as smoothly.

[Gilbert P]

That is Great


I am waiting for my phone conversation with Mr Boeree

All The Best
Gil

[Cindylou]

Very good news. Please keep us posted through your recovery if you can. It is so helpful to others. Sounds like you hit the jackpot! I am so happy for you! Cindylou