[Artificial Disc Replacement / Revision] Artificial Disc Replacement Removal and Revision to XLIF Fusion + PLIF

[mark-Perth]

Good luck in your recovery, good experience for the others too !

Thanks Keano

[Justin]

Hi Justin

Your quote above is very true. I Think a lumbar ADR removal would have to be one of the hardest and most difficult operations that anyone will encounter but I think it will be happening alot more over the next decade as they get inplanted more and more older ones fail. There arent many surgeons removing them at all, most just want to fuse it inplace as they know the dangers and risks of trying to remove it.

I do think I am one very lucky man for what was done to correct my spine and think my result is probably as good as it gets. If an ADR fails the chance of having a good result are very slim, its not a simple matter to fix. In most papers a successful revision is classed as a >25 % reduction of pain. Considering most people with a failed ADR are in pretty severe pain a 25% reduction of pain may only drop them to a pain score of 6 or 7/10 and thats classed as successful apparently. That still would restrict your life drastically and I really dont think those people would be counting there result as successful. I dont think too many of them would have still be wanting an ADR again.

I know fusions are not perfect either and have there own problems but the correct surgery needs to be based upon whats best for U and not what U want as the surgeon knows what they R capable of and get results with.

I had only one surgeon say to me that he would have both a fusion cage and ADR hardware available and once I was open he would decide what was best based upon my anatomy and what fit in best but would try for an ADR if possible. As I didnt want a fusion this scared me totally and made me choose another surgeon who was certain he could get an ADR in. I should have gone with the first surgeon as it turned. Each case is different and should be looked at seperately, not based upon whats helped others but whats best for U, even if it does mean a fusion.

I honestly dont think ADRs are any more sucessful than fusions anymore. They both seem to fail just as much but unfortunately a failed ADR is much worse than a failed fusion. Only time will show as more people speak up about the troubles they cause and long term reports R published will we be aware of how great they really are or aren't.

Mark

Mark,

Your entire post above is very eye-opening indeed. Artificial Disc Replacement and Fusion should both be extensively discussed between Spine Patients and their chosen surgeons. Both procedures have their "pros" & "cons;" what truly matters is proper patient selection, device placement and a surgeon's experience.

Thanks again for sharing your story and I hope you are making good progress daily.

[Justin]

Hey Mark,

I hope your recovery is still going well. I'm still in shock that you have been able to drop down over 300 milligrams of morphine a day.

How are you doing at this point in your recovery?

I know you will be nothing short of a complete success!

[mark-Perth]

Hey Justin and everyone else

Im doing really well thankfully. Its been alittle rough at times but in general it has been going really great as long as I am careful and have plenty of rest. Ive been doing a pretty rapid opiate taper and now down to only 70mg/day and lowering daily which is great.

The PT has been a really fun time

I started doing core muscle exercises a few days Post-op and walking but the real PT started about 2 weeks Post-op in the pool.

Ive been taking things slow and easy because it doesnt take much to cause pain as my muscles are still very weak, especially after wearing a back brace for a few months but its slowly increasing.

3 days a week im walking and swimming in the pool and also doing some hydrotherapy exercises. I also walk everyday between 1-2km depending on how I feel that day and if I went to the pool.

I would rate my pain at about a 2-3/10 now compared to a 8-9/10 before which is better than I had ever immagined possible. I am resting for atleast half of the day to feel good but I can sit in a chair comfortably now so thats now possible.

Im amazed everyday at how lucky I am for everything thats been done to fix the problem. Its definately beyond my expectations and im using that as the encouragement to exercise daily as I know thats my only chance to totally get over this.

Mark

[Cindylou]

Mark P, that is such good news on your recovery. And good for you, for showing the discipline to improve your core, and muscle mass in general. :thumpup: It really sounds like you are listening to your body with the added rest, so big kudos to you. I hope this is the end of spinal surgery for you my friend. Keep on keeping on.

[ajj1001]

Thanks for the update, I was wondering how you were getting on and its brilliant to hear how well its going. Take care. x

[mark-Perth]

Thanks Cindylou and Alison.

Hopefully this is the last of the surgeries for me now.

Take care

Mark

[KBear]

Mark,
That is awesome news! It sounds like you are doing wonderfully, especially so soon post-op! I bet you will make a full recovery and be pain free in a few months! I love hearing a great success story and you are definitely one of them. Praying for many pain free days ahead for you!

[Justin]

Ive been doing a pretty rapid opiate taper and now down to only 70mg/day and lowering daily which is great.

Mark, this is absolutely incredible!

Im amazed everyday at how lucky I am for everything thats been done to fix the problem. Its definately beyond my expectations and im using that as the encouragement to exercise daily as I know thats my only chance to totally get over this.

Mark

Keep up with the rehab--you are doing awesome! You are an encouragement to me and I'm sure to many other Spine Patients that read this Forum from around the world.

[Terry Newton]

Mark:

I have followed along the sidelines while I have been facing budget challenges and keeping my program alive and well. You have been very brave to go through all of the research, trials to get you to where you decided to go, and the eventual surgery with the work ahead to heal and recover from this major surgery. Please keep us informed as to your continued progress and I hope it is smoother sailing than what got you here to begin with. Hang in there buddy.