Prodisc L ADR surgery on 12/13/11

**spine journey** · 11-26-2011, 04:11 PM

Hello, SPS Community,
After postponing my surgery that was originally scheduled in Sept, I just wanted to share that my one level L ADR is scheduled for Dec 13th at Texas Back Institute. Thanks to all that have provided very important information and to those that have shared about your experience. I've messaged with a few Lumbar ProDisc patients and would love to talk to more. Originally, I had a different plan for my surgery. So, if you're a L Prodisc patient and open to talking, please PM me! This has been a roller coaster journey with an abundmance of emotions that I never thought I would experience. While I also suffer from chronic neck pain, I'm looking forward to strengthening my lumbar spine then getting back to identifying the real issues with my neck.

I'm happy to have found this community for many obvious reasons. AND, just simply, for the support from others just like me!

Happy holidays!

**KanRunMo** · 12-16-2011, 11:06 AM

I hope things went well and you'll have a Merry Christmas.

**spine journey** · 12-18-2011, 05:40 PM

Hi Kanrun, surgery went well. I'm doing ok considering 5 days postop. Am having surgery pain or bone pain ( per a nurse friend) and some leg pain which I believe to be distraction pain. It feeS likema crampnin my legs. Not on a lot of pain meds just hydrocodone ev 6 hrs. Waking as much as possible. Feeling better each day. Thanks for checking in!

Originally Posted by KanRunMo

I hope things went well and you'll have a Merry Christmas.

**Justin** · 12-20-2011, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by spine journey

Hi Kanrun, surgery went well. I'm doing ok considering 5 days postop. Am having surgery pain or bone pain ( per a nurse friend) and some leg pain which I believe to be distraction pain. It feeS likema crampnin my legs. Not on a lot of pain meds just hydrocodone ev 6 hrs. Waking as much as possible. Feeling better each day. Thanks for checking in!

Congratulations!

The "distraction pain" can be quite annoying. However, it does dissipate with time. It's great to read that you are walking as much as possible -- that will really help. Avoid low-level bending (bending to tie your shoes), extreme twisting and compressive forces, etc.

Please keep us posted -- it would be great to read how you do post-op and it's a great way for you to mark your process / document just how far you have come.

I wish you the very best.

**Genn** · 12-26-2011, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by spine journey

Hi Kanrun, surgery went well. I'm doing ok considering 5 days postop. Am having surgery pain or bone pain ( per a nurse friend) and some leg pain which I believe to be distraction pain. It feeS likema crampnin my legs. Not on a lot of pain meds just hydrocodone ev 6 hrs. Waking as much as possible. Feeling better each day. Thanks for checking in!

Congrats!

Thank you for posting and I look forward to reading more about your recovery!!

..

**spine journey** · 02-22-2012, 03:39 PM

Hello ALL, just wanted to give an update and ask a question. I'm 10 wks post op and my lumbar has been doing fair well ( ADR L5/S1) but I do have a few issues. Over the past 3 wks with more activity I'm having some painful feet swelling--painful meaning not able to stand due to the swelling after more activity. Now, I'm not back to work yet, but additional simple chores and standing, walking, sitting longer causes my feet to swell. I haven't noticed any severe ankle swelling, mostly feet. Anyone else experience this? At the end of the day My feet are constantly warm/hot to the the touch. I believe the issue may be some sort of circulation issues because I discovered once the swelling pain calms down and I walk around the swelling will dissipate, but not completely. Also, the side bone ( on both) closes to the little toe is always tender. I dont recall what my PT labeled it...Every morning, when I take my first step that bone is tender on both feet and the heels of both are sore. I wouldn't complain about it had happened a few times, but the painful feet occurs everyday. My surgeon said he doesn't feel it's related to back surgery at 10 wks post op. I feel like it is related b/c it started, and it continues with increased activity: walking, sitting longer and standing. In addition: i discovered i have a torn meniscus on my left knee that's a big issues b/c it interfere with me walking more than a mile. And it simply hurts!! Arthroscopic meniscus trimming has been suggested. Yikes, another surgery 3 months post op seems like too much especially when i still have a ways to go with my lumbar recovery. I haven't been able to walk as far as I know my spine will allow me because of the knee pain. Do I have the knee surgery now or wait?

**Justin** · 02-23-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by spine journey

Hello ALL, just wanted to give an update and ask a question. I'm 10 wks post op and my lumbar has been doing fair well ( ADR L5/S1) but I do have a few issues. Over the past 3 wks with more activity I'm having some painful feet swelling--painful meaning not able to stand due to the swelling after more activity. Now, I'm not back to work yet, but additional simple chores and standing, walking, sitting longer causes my feet to swell. I haven't noticed any severe ankle swelling, mostly feet. Anyone else experience this? At the end of the day My feet are constantly warm/hot to the the touch. I believe the issue may be some sort of circulation issues because I discovered once the swelling pain calms down and I walk around the swelling will dissipate, but not completely. Also, the side bone ( on both) closes to the little toe is always tender. I dont recall what my PT labeled it...Every morning, when I take my first step that bone is tender on both feet and the heels of both are sore. I wouldn't complain about it had happened a few times, but the painful feet occurs everyday. My surgeon said he doesn't feel it's related to back surgery at 10 wks post op. I feel like it is related b/c it started, and it continues with increased activity: walking, sitting longer and standing. In addition: i discovered i have a torn meniscus on my left knee that's a big issues b/c it interfere with me walking more than a mile. And it simply hurts!! Arthroscopic meniscus trimming has been suggested. Yikes, another surgery 3 months post op seems like too much especially when i still have a ways to go with my lumbar recovery. I haven't been able to walk as far as I know my spine will allow me because of the knee pain. Do I have the knee surgery now or wait?

Hi Spine Journey,

I'm glad that your back is doing well!

You are pretty far out for the swelling to be related to your spine surgery. However, it still could be attributed to it. With that said, do you have any other chronic health problems (cardiac, pulmonary, peripheral vascular disease, etc.)? Also, does the swelling in your feet go down by the next morning? If this persists, it would be worthwhile to visit your primary care to make sure everything is a-OK. Keep us posted.

**spine journey** · 02-23-2012, 11:21 AM

Morning Justin, thank you for your reply. I'm otherwise healthy. I eat healthy, former runner, tall, thin but these days just feeling like crap with all of the new issues. When there is severe swelling meaning it's painful to walk, after a day of elevation it does calm down within 24 hrs, but there remains some mild swelling/puffiness that's odviuos. I live in sneakers and can't wear any other shoes. I did have another conversation with my surgeon and he concurred. At this timeline he didn't feel it's related to my surgery but he did say it could be somehow related. I'm hopeful to get some relief with this issues because it isn't just intermittent, it's daily.I experience feet puffiness everyday. Ex, this morning when I woke both feet were/are puffy. This occurs everyday. Last night I had a bit more extended activity; I had dinner with friends for about 3 hrs. I still have really tight hamstrings, which i do exercises several times a day to address. Yes, I plan to see my PCP.I'm thinking about waiting on the knee surgery ( torn meniscus). I don't feel like I can handle another surgery right now. I'm also dealing with chronic cervical pain. Had cervical plasma disc decompression ( 4 levels) in 2008 that left me with chronic pain. Dealing with that as well. Thanks for your thoughts. I'll provide updates as I know more. Outside the normal lumbar recovery, my back is doing fairly well. Thanks for your thoughts.

Originally Posted by Justin

Hi Spine Journey,I'm glad that your back is doing well!

You are pretty far out for the swelling to be related to your spine surgery. However, it still could be attributed to it. With that said, do you have any other chronic health problems (cardiac, pulmonary, peripheral vascular disease, etc.)? Also, does the swelling in your feet go down by the next morning? If this persists, it would be worthwhile to visit your primary care to make sure everything is a-OK. Keep us posted.

**spine journey** · 02-24-2012, 12:56 PM

I met with my pain management doctor yesterday and discussed the feet swelling. He felt it's due to nerves reacting post L ADR at L5/S1. He doesn't think it's circulation related. He prescribed me Celebrex and Zonegran both which I started yesterday and felt less joint ache and feet swelling when I woke this morning.

Hopeful this will allow me to keep moving!

SJ