[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] NuVasive XL TDR® (Total Disc Replacement)

[Justin]

I have a question for Justin and it is somewhat related to this Nuvasive device. Justin, I noticed in your signature, that you mention something about an L5/L6 and that it is considered a lumbrosacral transitional vertabrae. I was also diagonosed with this (which is my problem area).

For this Nuvasive device, the clinical trial blurb states that they only go down as far as the L5 vertabrae and that everything below that excludes you from the trial. With that in mind, do you know if they would consider a lumbrosacral transitional vertabrae?

My understanding for why they do not want to go below the L5 vertebrae is b/c when they get that low, they have to enter via anterior sugery whereas if it above L5, then they peform the surgery anterior....ly (is that a word?).

The was similar to the Nubac clinical trial in that they would only go down to the L5 as well, but both devices seem promising to me and I hate that I fall out of their inclusion criteria.

Hi Zen,

That's a very good question. I'm guessing since this is a study that they want to exclude any patients that might "compromise" their study data. With that said, I think having a transitional level would exclude you from the trial based on strict inclusion criteria. However, I would contact NuVasive to make sure on this.

[JenniferC]

Brilliant news to hear that you got on well. Are you out of hospital? Just take it steady, no races!

Hi! Got out after an overnight stay. I had my first post-opt. appt. today and all is well (one week after surgery)
I was hoping my doc would tell my husband I needed another 2-3 weeks of bed rest and no housecleaning!!!!!! Darn!
Just walk as much as I can (without hurting) and no lifting over 20 lbs. or reaching, etc. Basically be sensible.
I really have no pain, but for my incision where the tape is sometimes. Maybe you can check with one of the Nuvasive reps or your doc to see if you are a good fit? I'm thrilled (so far) It's only been a week soooo I've got a long way.

Take care,
Jennifer

[Justin]

Hi! Got out after an overnight stay. I had my first post-opt. appt. today and all is well (one week after surgery)
I was hoping my doc would tell my husband I needed another 2-3 weeks of bed rest and no housecleaning!!!!!! Darn!
Just walk as much as I can (without hurting) and no lifting over 20 lbs. or reaching, etc. Basically be sensible.
I really have no pain, but for my incision where the tape is sometimes. Maybe you can check with one of the Nuvasive reps or your doc to see if you are a good fit? I'm thrilled (so far) It's only been a week soooo I've got a long way.

Take care,
Jennifer

Hi Jennifer. I'm so excited that you are out and back home recovering! The best part is the no housecleaning!!

[Suprajoe]

Hi Jennifer. My name is Joe and I am having the NuVasive XL TDR from Dr. Dryer on March 9th. How are you doing so far? How was Dr. Dryer?

[JenniferC]

Hi Joe,

I had Dr. Wupperman w/ Dryer assisiting on mine. So far (mine was done 1/28) I feel ok.
The surgeons are great and the hospital nurses were awesome! I haven't had any problems
so far other than my inscision hurts when I lay on that side. Everything post op so far is good.
What's funny is my other side of my back is hurting now I think because of favoring my "bionic" side!
I have to start excersizing again too, but that won't be a problem.
Go for it! The Nuvasive gals are great and I absolutely had a great experience even though I was EXTREMELY
scared to have to be put under for surgery. Let's keep in touch if you want. I'm #1 in Texas to have the implant Do you know if they have done any others since??????

Jennifer

[Suprajoe]

Hey Jennifer. I don't know if they have done another since you. I might be #2. I am a little nervous about the surgery, well, because it is surgery! However, I know that Dr. Dryer and his crew are good-ta-go. I am very excited. I have been in pain for around 15 years so I cannot imagine being almost pain free in my lower back. After this surgery I have to get my C5-6 and C6-7 taken care of. I'm WAY more nervous about that, but that surgery will not happen for awhile. Any ways, yes, let's keep in touch. I will let you know how things go.

[JenniferC]

Hi Joe and all...

I hope I'm doing these posts correctly??? Anyhow...it's been almost a month now since I had the disc replacement and am feeling quite some pain now. I truly am hoping I haven't been doing too much as I have a kindergartner and a high schooler and my husband travels a lot for work. This has been the first week my husband has been out of state since my surgery and I really have no family or close neighbors to help..and I stepped in a pothole this morning! Sooooo.......I'm really trying to relax so I can heal. Trying to take less of the pain meds probably is "causing" me to feel more pain too, duh? Anyhow!!!!! I still am excited to have the surgery and am positive about it! Anyone else had this procedure? Wondering how their progress is post-op as well????

Jennifer

[Katie]

Jennifer, can you check with your surgeon about the increased pain? Although with the reduction in medication and the 'ooops', it is probably quite temporary...fingers crossed.

I will be a 'special one' too, being the first one here in Canada that I know of to get a NuVasive ceramic disc, from Dr. Pimenta in Brazil. Maybe the first in North America? I'm allergic to all metals normally used in spine surgery, so he is using this device in my c 5/6. There is nothing he wants to use in my lumbar for the same reason, so will be using PEEK fusion appliances. I have to check as to the approaches, but at least one is a lateral.

I'm following your case with great interest. How did you first find out about the Nuvasive, and how do you like the looks of it? It may be a bad time to ask how it is working so far , but I bet a week or two will fix things. You are saying the Nuvasive 'gals' are great. What gals are those?

[MiniEOD]

after some googling about xl tdr, i found this forum and this link

i injured my back in 06 while serving in iraq....been in pain since....last feb (09) i got it looked at again and its shown DDD at L5-S1.

nervous about surgery, especially invasive surgery on my spine...but this operation looks promising, and glad to hear results from jennifer

i would be going to Dr. Fisher in Newark, DE

though i just emailed their office and i apparently do not qualify, since i am outside the range at l5-s1... but she mentioned i *may* have a transitional vertebrae, which would make the problem l5-l4... not sure though..never heard about that

thanks for the information and hopefully i can get something done soon

- mike

[scduggan]

Hey JenniferC,
I hope you are feeling a little better today. Pothole.....really bad. Hopefully the Hub will be home soon and you can rest.
CD