[Artificial Disc Replacement / Cervical] Jarrod (New Member) had 3 level cervical ADR on Dec. 9th in Barcelona Spain

[Jarrod]

Hello everyone,

My name is Jarrod I am 3 1/2 weeks post op from a 3 level ADR by Dr. Pablo Clavel in Brarcelona Spain. First herniated
my c-spine in Sept. 2010 with a weightlifting accident and needed an MRI to confirm the damage I had done. I received bad news from the imaging ccenter, herniated c5/6, c6/7, c7/t1. I had severe canal stenosis in c5/6, and moderate stenosis in c6/7 followed by a broad based herniation at c7/t1 that was pushing on the left nerve root and casing me intense pain for about a month. Symptoms were lower trapezious pain on the left side with unrelenting radiating arm pain (tingling, pins and needles), followed up by numbness in my hand and last 3 fingers.

Went to two neurosurgeons in Florida to be told that fusion was my only option and that they could schedule me whenever I wanted. At 35 I decided that fusion was not an option for me, so I began to reseach fusion and ADR on the internet for about 2 solid months. I read about the best DR.'s the best discs, my condition, etc., you name it I had researched it throughly and began to narrow down what procedure I was going to have. I read spinal forum after spinal forum and was really impressed with the new m6 cervical disc and Dr. Clavel in Barcelona Spain. I also looked at Dr. Rajakumar in Bangladore India, but only to find that he only used the prestige lp cervicasl disc which I was not to impressed with. I didnt even bother with insurance as I have BCBS of Florida and I had read no good outcomes from appeling them for reimbersment of ADR. So as I researched Spain And Dr. Clavel started to look like my destiny, as the price for a 3 level ADR was just under 40.000 USD.

Once I had made my decision and consulted with the Dr. I was off to Barcelona for 12 days to have my surgery. Had a 3 level ADR on Dec. 9th at Qurion Hospital and everything was top notch. Dr., Hospital, nursing staff, anastelogist, post op care was first class. My DR. spoke fluent english and said my c7/t1 disc was difficult to get to becsause of my thick neck and trapezious muscles, but once he got to it the surgery went beautifully and he expected me to recover at 100% within 4-6 months.

So Im 3 1/2 weeks post op back home and back at work, I know that seems very soon after a major 3 level spine surgery, but my thick neck seems to have helped in the stablization of my c- spine and I did not have to take any pain meds after surgery. I am taking 600 mg ibuprofen 3 times a day for the first month and a half as recommended by my Dr., but thats for the bone and the disc. I do have a couple of things that are kinda of annoying me and Make me wonder if they will dissapear over time.

I still have some residual numbness in my hand and fingers, less than before surgery though. Also when i look down (flexion) my upper trapezious/ rhomboid pain comes back and radiates into my left forarm and hand. I emailed the DR. and asked him about it and within two hours he responded (very impressive). He said that they did a complete decompression of the formen at c7/t1 (disc that was causing my symptoms) and that the nerves are probably swollen and irritated and still need about 3-4 months to calm down and get comfortable. He said this is common and be patient, but not to hesitate to email him if i need reassurance. So i must admit at 3 1/2 weeks post op I can do all my daily activities and have never needed the soft collar, I feel truly blessed about my outcome and will hopefully progress to completely 100%, as I do not plan on pushing it for a at least 4-6 months. So theres my story in short, Thanks to Justin for inviting me to tell my story and experience, and if anyone needs to ask me questions or has advice feel free to pm me or post it on the forum, I read the forum all the time.

Sincerly, Jarrod

[KBear]

Welcome to the forum Jarrod! Sounds like you are doing really good after surgery, at least as can be expected. It seems to me that when people are able to move quickly from injury to surgery that they heal quicker than those of us that spend years getting treatment and or the correct diagnosis. I'm sure you will continue to do well and see much more improvement. I was 18 months out before I became completely pain free and had all my issues resolve.
Best of luck,
Kathy

[Cindylou]

Jarrod,

What a great story. You sound like you are doing fantastic. Keep up the good work and you sound like you have a good head on your shoulders. Thanks for sharing and welcome. Cindylou

[Justin]

Hi Jarrod,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you really took the bull by its horn and figured out a way to move forward. Please keep us posted on your progress, as your experience will help others that find themselves in your shoes.

Be well!