Peyton Manning Fusion

[Aaron]

Well for Peyton Manning he had a minimally invasive procedure prior to 2010 season and played. He had same again this year but not as successful so they had to fuse it. I know the surgeon who did all the surgury was Dr. Richard Fessler and from what I read he does do some ADR surguries. As for the choice to fuse or ADR I am sure Peyton choose the one that gave him the best ability to return to football. He may have had the option of both. For him I am sure the decicsion making process involved many components. The doctor could not force him to choose ADR and give up football, even though that may have been presented with the best chance for pain reduction.
Of all the football, baseball, etc that had back problems and returned to play after surgury all I have read of had a fusion.

[cherylstewart67]

I was under the impression that if it's a single level it's is usually the best option. But listen! I am so totally jaded. I have had a bad time with fusion so I am not for it. I am also upset that I was not given all my options when I had my surgery. So it's not fair for me to feel that way towards all doctors that do it. But it just makes sence to me to preserve the body's function and motion in the most natural way you can and fusion is not it. I had seen interview with service members that had adr and went back to work for the military and were so glad that they did not have fusion as they were told they would most likely not be able to re-enlist depending on their m.o.s. Single level patients do better than most. I still say that it will cause ajacent level issues for him later. I hope that he is one of the fortunate ones.