[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] 2 Level Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

[trkdoc714]

Justin,

I'm doing pretty good. I (officially) start PT tomorrow so I'm hoping to speed up the healing process.

It sounds like you're having a great recovery yourself. Since you're posting so much research data so soon after major surgery, can we assume Jesse is the smart brother ? GET SOME REST!!!

Kathy,

I think you can get info on the M^ at the Spinal Kinetics website. They won't show the Lumbar version yet but I assume it's like the cervical M6.

Bob

[Ben]

Bob,

I am going to Stenum next month. What caused the terrible travel home?
Ben

[Justin]

Bob,

I am going to Stenum next month. What caused the terrible travel home?
Ben

Hey Ben,

I don't want to steal Bob's thunder (he'll have a hilarious reply ), but it had to do with his flight home.

[trkdoc714]

Ben,

I traveled to Stenum by myself since there was no one available to travel with me due to other obligations. That was the mistake on my part. There's too much physical activity for post-surgical ADR patients to go alone.

My problems started with Lufstansa forgetting to allow me handicapped assistance. It started in Frankfurt by forgetting the help getting down stairs to the bus and upstairs to next terminal. Then I was able to get on an overbooked flight with not one but two high school field trip groups along with their younger siblings (must of been 100 of the demon spawn) that ran up and down the aisles bumping into seat backs and shoulders. I tried to get up and move around as instructed but after being pushed and shoved a few times decided it was safer to stay in my seat (I'm sure the cushion has dried out by now).

The flight took 10 hours after a 4 1/2 hour layover in Frankfurt. The journey started at 6 AM in Bremen. I had a roll-around suitcase that I checked and a 10 lb. laptop and case (big mistake) that I carried on board. By the time I got to Atlanta I was wiped out. The TSA employee at security wouldn't let me use a cart for the laptop. I told him about the lumbar surgery and he told me to "tough it out". A lady had overheard him and had her son carry the laptop for me to Customs. I had to handle it from there to the train to baggage claim. A lady in baggage claim mistook my checked bag for hers and nearly knocked me to my knees thinking I was stealing her bag. After apologising for being in her way (using a preposition at the end of the sentence) I hooked the bag and laptop together and rolled them to the curb where a friend picked me up at the curb and took me to my house.

The moral of the story is don't travel alone. There's just too much that can happen during the trip that can set you back or even damage your implants.

Good luck Ben. I hope your surgery is as successful as mine and you have a safe and uneventful journey!

Bob

[trkdoc714]

Friday was the 10 week mark of my 2 level ADR surgery at Stenum Hospital in Germany.

I had an appointment with Dr. Scott Burkus. He participated (and is still doing the 5 year follow-up) in the Maverick FDA trials. He took X-Rays and gave me an exam. He's released me to return to work in two weeks.

I don't have any pain to speak of, only aches where pain used to be. I drove 200 miles round trip to his office and although I'm stiff, I'd characterise it as being uncomfortable.

I'm not proclaiming 100% success, but I'm very optimistic at this point.

Thanks to all for the support and encouragement to find the answers and solutions to my spine problems. I hope to return the favor whenever possible.

Bob

[Justin]

Hey Bob,

Great news about returning to work in 2 weeks! That's a huge milestone. Your films look great and you sound like you are doing very well.

I can't believe it's been 10 weeks...

to you my friend!

[KBear]

Glad to hear you are doing so well. So, Stenum didn't accidentally amputate your leg, after all? Hehe

[treefrog]

Bob, that's great news. Sounds like you are doing fantastic, I can't believe it's been 10 weeks either. I just passed the two week mark. I hope I'm able to go back to work by the time my FMLA leave is up, in early-mid August.

I look forward to hearing how the adjustment to working goes for you. Are you planning on doing any part-time before going back full time?

Good luck, and keep up the good recovery.

[trkdoc714]

Thank you all.

I don't think I'll have an adjustment period going back to work other than stamina and seating. I'll order a new chair when I get back in the office. The manager told me it's still kind of slow, so I imagine I'll be able to come and go as I please.

Kathy, I thought the leg incident was a secret. It was sewn back on and works fine.

Cathy, it's good to have you back in the USA. I'm sure you'll have a successful recovery too.

Bob

[KBear]

Bob, I'm thrilled the leg is working and also glad to have someone who gets my weird (sometimes sick) sense of humor!