[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Hybrid Lumbar Surgery (L4/L5 Spinal Kinetics M6 & L5/S1 STALIF cage with BMP)

[Gilbert P]

Hooch

Sounds like you are on the road to a great recovery
I am trying to contact Me Boeree? I sent him a email still no reply.

Did you send him your MRI before visiting?

Thanks for the information

I wish you well

Gil

[Hooch]

Gday Gil,

I contacted them through their Spine Clinic website, it has a contact us page, described my diagnosis and mentioned I had all the relevant scans already. They got into contact with me I think a little while after I applied through the site and it all went from there. That all started after I was rejected from surgery domestically.

They're pretty busy it seems and sometimes progress became slow and bogged down, but it seems you've got to play the game a bit, send a couple of polite reminders to keep yourself noticed. If you're having trouble getting responses from surgeons, have you considered getting a friend to look over your application letter, make it concise and impersonal like a resume? I think that's what they want. Not that that's necessarily your problem, but iirc you had trouble getting a response from Pimenta as well.

The first thing Stenum sent me was a date for surgery, maybe they're worth a try.

Good luck.

[Justin]

Hooch,

I'm glad your recovery is going well. The fishing rod is great motivation! Did you end up catching the cute nurse at the hospital?

[Hooch]

haha no. Tho I can just imagine a post op hook up.

"Hey babe, I'm just going to have a few tramadol and lie here like a beached whale... be gentle..."

Awesome.

[KanRunMo]

Hooch,
Just a comment since I've been following your blog. Congratulations on your successful surgery. When you get a chance, update your signature. I know what and where you've had your surgery now, but I'll forget by the next time if I don't see it in your signature. By the way, we Kansans claim "Wizard of Oz" since Dorothy was from Kansas (pretty bleek looking in the movie), but I've been to Australia and New Zealand and maybe the Wizard is there in the mountains.
"Just click your heels and you'll be back home". Pretty nice weather here at the moment. Did you put the cost of your surgery somewhere?

[Gilbert P]

Hooch

I have sent information to stenum and they worry me ?

I just emailed Mr Boeree and staff will see how it goes from here.

Thanks

Gil

[mike86]

Mike a funny thing with the disc, in my xray the disc is in a bit of extension. I actually found an article on the cervical regarding posterior placement of the M6 (resulting in disc extension), and range and quality of motion remained the same, but there was a small change in the centre of rotation, so that was a relief.

I think this happens when the lordosis of the disc doesn't match the lordosis of the disc space. From what I can see Boeree used the largest lordosis available, and I'm sure he has his reasons and chose the best option. It doesn't make much difference now, as it's in for good, but I might mention it to him at the 3 month op if I don't have any other pressing concerns, out of curiosity. I would've asked post op but I was whacked out on oral morph. I'd post a pic to show you what I mean but I've only got a hard copy.

Or I could've been lying funny under the x-ray, who knows.

Looking at the x-rays the same lordosis has been maintained that was present previously, and this may be what takes priority. You can see in this picture here from stenum, look at the l4 l5 on the 3 level replacement, that's what I'm talking about

What is Stenum Hospital's Reputation? - Great success with Artificial disc replacement surgery at Stenum Hospital Germany, lumbar disc replacement, cervical disc replacement, previous fusion ok, multi level, cervical ADR, leading surgeons, Maverick,

I know that's normal for disc replacement, but was wondering what effect on motion control it would have with a compressible prosthesis. Obviously with a ball and socket it wouldn't make much difference. Anyway not really anything to worry about, but it filled a few hours for me as I sit in the hotel.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/...7/fulltext.pdf

Partwardhan

Btw Mike, you had a play with one in person, I was wondering how much force did it require to flex the disc? Was it stiff, or did move quite freely under load? Just curious, I didn't get to see one.

Hi Chris.

I'm not quite sure I understand your question clearly. I'm sure Mr. Boeree picked the right lordosis for the position it was placed in.. And you're saying it is in a bit of extension? Isn't the lordosis an extension by definition? Are the endplates placed firmly and FLAT against the upper and bottom vertebrae? If so, you're good!

Is this the image you're talking about? http://www.stenumspine.com/back/M63.JPG
It actually looks pretty decent to me.. I can see it has a bit of pressure on the back side on the disc, but it seems the person is actually extending back for the x-ray.

Have you tried placing the x-ray against the window and taking a picture of it? That's how I uploaded a picture of my x-ray.. I'd like to see what you're talking about!

When I played around with the disc, it was very stiff, but smooth in motion. It held the two fake vertebrae in place very firmly, whereas the charite I saw would have to be held up manually. It's the beauty of the M6, it mimics a natural disc in it's resistance and stiffness. I've mentioned previously that Dr. Zigler said the freedom disc was too stiff for his taste, so I imagine this is in between, but a bit closer to the freedom.

And don't wait until the 3-month mark to ask him. Whenever I had a concern I would ask him asap. If he wasn't around I would email him and he'd respond quickly.

By the way, to those asking how to contact Mr. Boeree, go to his new website (link in signature) , it has plenty of new information that i'm sure will answer a bunch of questions.

One more thing, don't be afraid to ask for anything. I got quite a few things done by asking firmly.. I even got the doctors to take pictures during surgery!
http://imgur.com/suIUT?full
I'm sure you can get Ms. Jo Haley to show you the M6 disc.

Looking forward to your reply!

[Hooch]

Yeah, that's right, the back pressure on the disc. The person isn't actualy extending, they are standing in neutral and what you see is the normal lumbar lordosis (so yes, when the spine is in it's most unloaded position the lumbar region is in extension, the thoracic in flexion). I was curious as the back pressure would load the compressible disc in a different manner, while a disc with no resistance to movement it wouldn't matter. But according to Partwardhan it makes minimal difference to the quality of motion compared to an M6 beginning at a level position, with some effect to the centre of rotation. But in the scheme of things pretty small biccies.

So as in that stenum pic, the right lordosis is maintained (which would be the priority), but the disc itself is in extension. The M6 can be set at 3 different lordosis angles (3, 6 and 10 degrees I think), so I assume they have taken the best fit considering l4l5 seems to be at a pretty steep angle naturally.

The hospital doc was telling me to organise a post op appointment before I leave, so if that happens I'll ask him then. But really it's a curiosity more than a concern, like I say, it's not going to be moved now. :P My cameras gone walkabout atm.

haha, just looked at your surgical photo, you're a freak getting them to take photos of that. At least he didn't hold up a bloodied hand and wave to the camera!

[mike86]

Yeah, that's right, the back pressure on the disc. The person isn't actualy extending, they are standing in neutral and what you see is the normal lumbar lordosis (so yes, when the spine is in it's most unloaded position the lumbar region is in extension, the thoracic in flexion). I was curious as the back pressure would load the compressible disc in a different manner, while a disc with no resistance to movement it wouldn't matter. But according to Partwardhan it makes minimal difference to the quality of motion compared to an M6 beginning at a level position, with some effect to the centre of rotation. But in the scheme of things pretty small biccies.

So as in that stenum pic, the right lordosis is maintained (which would be the priority), but the disc itself is in extension. The M6 can be set at 3 different lordosis angles (3, 6 and 10 degrees I think), so I assume they have taken the best fit considering l4l5 seems to be at a pretty steep angle naturally.

The hospital doc was telling me to organise a post op appointment before I leave, so if that happens I'll ask him then. But really it's a curiosity more than a concern, like I say, it's not going to be moved now. :P My cameras gone walkabout atm.

haha, just looked at your surgical photo, you're a freak getting them to take photos of that. At least he didn't hold up a bloodied hand and wave to the camera!

I think I understand your concern a little more clearly now, and it's completely valid. The post-op appointment seems like a great idea. It'll clear any question you have (do write them down or you'll forget them, trust me).

I understand what you're saying about the difference in load bearing (considering your description) between a compressible disc vs a normal disc.. My limited physics understanding tells me it should actually be better under a compressible disc. If the doctor picked the right lordosis, and your back is putting pressure in the back side of the disc, then if you had a normal disc put in it would create a new 'pivot' point for your spine.. something you don't want.

Do ask him details on this, i'd like to hear the right answer!

And yeap, i'm a freak! this time he's hammering away imgur: the simple image sharer

[Hooch]

haha, yeah, you're not right in the head!

I don't really have many questions for him, but if I do get an explanation on that I'll type it up.

catch ya