[Artificial Disc Replacement / Cervical] I am one week post-surgery, 2 level M 6 Cervical ADR

[spinches]

On the 24th, Nick Boeree replaced my C 5-6 and 6-7 disks with Spinal Kinetics M 6 C artificial disks, and I flew home on the 29th. Mr. Boeree did some additional clean-up work on my cervical spine, and the x-rays look great! I had a lot of pain in the recovery room, but this was very well managed by the self-administered morphine system. When I was taken off the morphine I was given tylenol and I have had minimal pain since then. There was a burning area between my shoulder blades and a lot more muscle tension around my neck than was the case before surgery. The muscle tension has been alleviated by the neck stretches prescribed by the physical therapists at the hospital, and I am pain-free most of the time now. I am very happy with the results of my surgery and my experience with Mr Boeree was excellent all around.

For the benefit of those members who are considering going to Nuffield Hospital for surgery, I would add that I did not like the way I was treated there. I would not recommend it as a treatment facility. Other people have posted on this site that the treatment they received at Nuffield was wonderful, awesome and the like. People differ in how they want to be treated in a hospital, and people are also differently treated. Anyone who wants more details about my experiences at Nuffield is welcome to PM me.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the SPS members who directly supported me in my research process, to those who shared their own experiences, and to everyone who has posted all the valuable information I found on this site. I could not have done this without you.

Sandra

Sandra

[Justin]

Hi Sandra,

Congratulations on being on the other side of surgery!

For the benefit of those members who are considering going to Nuffield Hospital for surgery, I would add that I did not like the way I was treated there. I would not recommend it as a treatment facility. Other people have posted on this site that the treatment they received at Nuffield was wonderful, awesome and the like. People differ in how they want to be treated in a hospital, and people are also differently treated. Anyone who wants more details about my experiences at Nuffield is welcome to PM me.

That's too bad that you were not treated well during your surgical experience at the Nuffield Hospital (associated with Mr. Boeree).

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all the SPS members who directly supported me in my research process, to those who shared their own experiences, and to everyone who has posted all the valuable information I found on this site. I could not have done this without you.

Thank you for your kind words regarding the helpful Spine Patient Society Members that reached out before your surgery. That's what it is all about--supporting one another and helping others that are in similar shoes to our own. We are lucky to have so many SPS Members from all over the world willing to share their experiences and help one another.


I do hope your recovery is a smooth one and that you make good progress daily. Remember to listen to your body and take things slow, as you only get ONE shot at recovery!

[Cindylou]

Hi Sandra, what an encouraging post (except for the hospital experience) on how well you are doing, only 1 week out from cervical spine surgery! That is just amazing. Remember to still not over-do it even though you are feeling so good. It is not a race. Slow and steady is a good mantra to keep in your head. I wish you the very best in your continued recovery. Take care, CL

[KanRunMo]

Sandra,
Congratulations on your surgery with Mr. Boeree. It sounds like your pain was controlled and you are on the road to recovery. Would you mind explaining your problems with Nuffield Hospital? It would be helpful to some of us planning to go there. It is not unfair to tell what the problems are because we know you are telling the truth and not bad-mouthing them as some do for their own personal benefit.

[spinches]

Thanks to all of you for the great reminders to take it easy. That is the most challenging thing right now for me, especially since all the usual daily work at home has piled up during my absence.

My current physical issues consist of fatigue that comes and goes, and a significant amount of muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. This was building up over the past year prior to the surgery, but it got much worse as a result of the surgery. I have been doing the neck stretches prescribed by the physical therapists (called "physiotherapists" in the UK), and have been able to loosen up some of the muscles. My range of motion is still very restricted, however, and I'll probably have to add some rehab approaches beyond just the exercises.

I have been asked and have decided to post more of my experience with Nuffield Hospital on this website. It seems most appropriate to post it as an international travel thread. SPS members are still welcome to PM me about my experience with Mr Boeree and with Nuffield.

Sandra

[spinches]

I did start a new thread in the international travel section with a detailed post about my experience at Nuffield Hospital. My best wishes to anyone who decides to go there. I hope you like it a lot better than I did.

Sandra