New member says hello (DDD at L4-L5 & L5-S1, looking into Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery)

[scooter2339]

Hi members, thank you for letting join your site. My web name is scooter2339, I have degenerative disc disease at L4-5,L5-S1, with lumbar radiculitis. I have tried everything to stop the pain without any success. I would like to have artificial disc surgery but which artificial disc is the best. There is a great spine doctor here in SF that I plan to contact soon. I hope he can get me back up and running again.
My hobby is riding my delta trike. It is a Greenspeed trike that is a joy to ride. It is the only trike that I can ride with my bad back and balance problem.
Once again, thank you so much for letting me join!

[Justin]

Hi scooter2339,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

I hope we can help support you. A few questions for you:

• Have you had recent imaging on your lumbar spine?
• What are your pain levels on a daily basis?
• What kind of balance problems are you having?

Good luck with your surgical evaluation in San Francisco. Please keep us posted on what she/he has to say.

BTW: are you "set" on running again? I'm playing devil's advocate here, but running is extremely hard on your body, especially if you have pre-existing spine issues. The jarring impact from running really does a number on the spine.

Hopefully, you will be back to your old hobbies in no time!

[scooter2339]

My first & only MRI was done 3/2009. My pain level stays about a 6, the morphine and lyrica keep the pain level down. My balance problem started slowly over the past 4 mos as my back problem progressed. Not really sure why my balance is being affected. As far as being set on running again it is only a dream, it will never happen. I was kind of hoping that if I do have surgery I would be back to my old self. I read after you had surgery you were pain free. The thought of not taking drugs anymore would be awesome!