My Surgery Outcome: 2 Cervical & 2 Lumbar Maverick ADRs, Stenum Hospital

**Terry Newton** · 05-04-2009, 10:10 AM

I am so excited to post the first surgical outcome here on the new forum.

I have degenerative disc disease and feel like it was caused by early years of smoking cigarettes. Most people do not realize the impact that smoking plays on us developing healthy spines. I ruptured my first disc at age twenty-two in my lumbar region. I never did anything for it and, eventually, the pain went away on it's own. I ruptured my second disc in my early thirties and this was a cervical disc. When I ruptured my third disc in my cervical area this one required my first surgery which was a hemi-laminectomy done at Mayo Clinic in 1996. I ruptured a fourth disc somewhere in the span of my twenties till my next surgery done at Stenum Hospital, Germany, in November of 2006. At this time I had four artificial discs put in my spine; two cervical discs C5-C6, C6-C7 which were the Prestige Discs; two lumbar discs at S1-L5, L4-L5 which were the Maverick Discs.

As far as my outcome and place where I had my surgery done, I could not be happier. It was a very aggressive surgery and not for the faint of heart as they did both surgeries at the same time. I was in very good physical conditioning at the time of the surgery and my recovery was good. It did take significant time to recovery from this surgery. I did not baby myself in the process and rode my bicycle 2,325 miles the first season and over 2,100 miles last season.

I am presently coming up on my next cycling season and plan on doing the same amount of miles. I am a 52 year old male and have absolutely no regrets for having this surgery nor where I had the sugery done at.

Please feel free to ask any questions you want of my surgery and recovery. Before I had my last surgery I looked like a little old man who walked with a cane and was pretty debilitated. Today I walk upright and live my life.

Welcome everyone to the new forum.

Terry Newton

**Gilbert P** · 05-04-2009, 10:44 AM

Hi Terry

How did you log in all those miles before sugery were you in pain?
I have DDD at L5-S1 with other level issues numb and nerve pain left leg. Watched bike racing yesterday and would love to ride some

Curently not taking any pain meds

Thanks for this site

Gil

**Justin** · 05-04-2009, 10:51 AM

Terry, I don't think I drive that many miles a year anymore.

You're a machine. Your surgery and recovery is such an incredible story.

I'm excited to have you here on the forum!

Be well good friend.

**Terry Newton** · 05-05-2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by Gilbert P

Hi Terry

How did you log in all those miles before sugery were you in pain?
I have DDD at L5-S1 with other level issues numb and nerve pain left leg. Watched bike racing yesterday and would love to ride some
Curently not taking any pain meds

Thanks for this site

Gil

Since my DDD was Lumbar and Cervical, exercise was critical to help with building endorphins, which are the brains naturally produced opiates. Also, the nerves were pretty impinged when standing upright but, when leaning over a handlebar on the bicycle, it took pressure off of the nerves and I could ride. I rode 1,800 miles the season right before my spinal surgery. I know it is uncomfortable to exercise, while in pain and, should not be done without talking to a doctor. I encourage exercise to build up endorphins, loosen up your muscles as much as possible, maintain fitness, good for the heart, keeps weight down pre-surgery, go to surgery in better condition and have a better recovery afterwards.

Hang in there.

Terry Newton