2 Level Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

**trkdoc714** · 05-05-2009, 07:28 AM

Greetings all. My name is Bob. I had ADR surgery on March 27th of 2009 at Stenum Hospital in Germany. My recovery seems to be going well even with the medical setbacks I've experienced since returning (travel strain, digestive issues and a nasty cold virus).

I had originally ruptured the L5/S1 disc in April of 2006. Through MRIs it was discovered I had DDD at all lumbar levels to some degree but only L5/S1 was symptomatic. I underwent a discectomy and hemi-laminectomy in June of 2006 and recurrent disc surgery (same procedure) in April of 2007.

My symptoms abated after each surgery but returned to more painful levels within a few months. I had 5 different surgeons recommend 4 different surgeries, all of which were pretty invasive and life altering. I had heard of artificial discs but couldn't find a surgeon locally that had any interest let alone experience in this technology.

Through a large amount of research and a great deal of advice from members of this and other spine sites, I opted for Stenum Hospital and Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang. He uses the Maverick disc which I felt addressed my needs and, in my opinion, is a second generation disc further advanced than earlier discs.

I had "twilight sedation" (thoractic epidural and some really great pills) for surgery. It lasted a little over 2 hours with no complications. I spent about 16 hours in ICU before returning to my room. I had very little surgical pain as the epidural was connected to a morphine pump. This was turned off 24 hours later. The pain level I experienced was a little more than I had gone into surgery with and was defeated with 20 mg of Oxycodone (daily). I started skipping 10 mg of this after day 4 post-op.

I was released from the hospital and taken to the Park Hotel on April 2nd. I began walking 1-2 miles per day in short segments and worked up to about 3 1/2 miles per day by the end of my stay.

The trip home was the worst journey I've ever experienced for a variety of reasons. I ended up taking a few steps back in recovery because of this. After 4 or 5 days I felt much better and had less pain than pre-operative levels.

I'm now past the 5 week mark and I'm strictly following the surgeons orders. This Friday I plan on beginning the walks again (I live in a very hilly area walking this terrain is forbidden until 6 weeks out). I'm hoping for rainy days so I can walk the golf course cart paths without getting beaned by a golf ball.

Overall I'm extremely pleased with the results so far. I feel like I'm well on the road to being back at work within 3 months post-surgery. I regained the feeling in both feet and legs once the epidural wore off. There's no numbness or buring at all now (pre-operative condition was constant numbness/ burning) unless I overdo it. Deep tissue massages remedy this symptom now.

I think the worst part of the recovery was wearing the coned collar to keep me from chewing on the sutures, but that came off weeks ago.

I'd like to thank all of those that offered advice and support to me. There were a lot of anecdotal horror stories about Stenum that have been proven to be fabricated or exagerated stories to promote others' agendas. As patients we all come to sites like this looking for answers and support. We have to make our own decisions regarding our treatment and regardless of our choices, we need to be supportive of others' choices without criticism or condemnation. I'm positive the Spine Patient Society forum will provide just that.

Thank you Justin!

Bob Threlkel

**Justin** · 05-05-2009, 11:52 AM

Hey Bob,

Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds like you are healing very well. Your comment about the sutures was funny, but very true. I can't believe you are already 5 weeks post-op!

Bob, you bring up a good point about the surgeon you personally choose for your operation.

The Spine Patient Society is a place for spine patients to freely share information and feel supported in the process of seeking treatment for their spines. We will, in no way, question the ability of any surgeons, hospitals or facilities. As a Society, we will not take a strong position either for or against any medical professional. We are here to merely support spine patients through the often murky waters of spine pain and in the common goal of pain relief.

Keep us posted on your progress, especially with the 6th week mark coming up and your transition to the "hills."

Welcome to the Forum!

**Katie** · 05-05-2009, 01:06 PM

Hi Bob,

Can you tell me why you chose the twilight sedation? Because of the problems I've had with regular general anesthetic and other medication allergies, I questioned the surgeons and they recommended this twilight option.

I was also told that using an epidural during surgery greatly reduced the post op pain level, even if general anesthetic was used instead of the twilight method. It was something to do with the brain/tissue not feeling or registering the extreme pain even when we were sedated, and that helped the body recover better.

Have you had general anesthetic before, and if so, how did it differ from what you had this time?

Congratulations on your successful surgery and many prayers that it continues to get better day by day.

**trkdoc714** · 05-05-2009, 04:52 PM

Katie,

I had a problem with blood pressure after the last discectomy. I had been offered the epidural as an option when i first contacted Stenum to give me time to research the practice. My PM doc is a big fan of twilight due to the lessened impact on blood pressure and he believes it's easier on the entire system than general.

I was also hoping to watch some of the procedure. All I remember is being awakened in the ICU. I guess I also missed the cocktail lounge next to the O/R I had heard about from others.........

Take care,

Bob

**Katie** · 05-05-2009, 08:33 PM

Bob, that sounds like it is the answer for me as well. I talked to Dr. Bitan about it and he was fine with using it as well.

I have very low blood pressure and have asthma as well, and the combination led to complications after my last big surgery five years ago. I don't want to repeat that if I can avoid it.

It is nice to hear from someone else who has first hand experience with it. Thanks so much for the reply.

Nuts, I would have liked to see some of it as well...too bad it didn't work out for you. Is there a name for people like us who like to watch ourselves being dissected ???

**trkdoc714** · 05-06-2009, 08:37 AM

Katie,

The term is "extremely odd" I think. It's probably a good thing I wasn't really conscious during the procedure.

I have a bad habit of joking around when I'm nervous and under the influence of pain killers. It's probably not a good idea to make the surgeon or his hired help laugh while he's working (especially good advice during prostate exams as well).

Bob

**rhatzy** · 05-06-2009, 10:02 AM

Bob,

I'm here! Again, I had the two discectomies which I think made my recovery from ADR difficult. However, as you know, I am now totally pain free and back to work. It is now 15 months later and I feel great. When I talked with the anestheiologist, I told him that I didn't want to remember a thing and I did't. I've been under a general a bunch of times and was groggy for hours after. Coming to after the epidural was like just waking up and I was alert and not groggy at all.

Mark

**trkdoc714** · 05-06-2009, 11:19 AM

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society Forum Mark!

Justin's done a great job with it so far and if you caught his response to my surgical outcome post, surgeon bashing and medical tour guides are not allowed.

I know you've been verbally attacked for your opinion on Stenum Hospital on other forums. I feel like I can openly discuss my experience without prompting phone calls and contrived threads bashing our choice and subsequent physical salvation.

Thank you for all of your input into my decision to chose Stenum.

Bob

**trkdoc714** · 05-07-2009, 09:59 AM

I was the same way Mark. I didn't really want to remember anything either. I do remember waking slightly twice while the operation was being performed but it's a dreamlike memory.

Once was when the surgeon was tapping one of the discs in place. I had no physical sensation of what he was doing. The second time must've been break time as the entire operating crew were drinking beer and singing the Notre Dame fight song.

Bob