Surgery Scheduled for Pro Disc C , Scared

[carm829]

Hi ajspine, while I did not have ADR I have had lumbar & cervical fusion. Lumbar was much more intense and a much longer healing time. As for me I was in a hard brace for 3 1/2 months and then PT for another 3. There was no way I would have been able to return to work. You need to take time to heal properly. If you don't you could be setting yourself up for failure. Be careful and listen to your Dr. and your pain.

[Maria]

Jenn,
You are so busy! My neck hurt just reading about your schedule!

Re postponing surgery a bit if you can do it at least until you've settled into your new job that sounds like a reasonable plan.

I still think when requesting your future leave of absence for surgery you should err on the side of caution and go with maximum amount of time that one can take off. I think w/my lumbar surgeries I took an 8 week leave for both and had to extend it both times and in fact return to work part time first and graduate over a few months back into full time hours.

Anyway the most important thing to consider after you have the surgery is how you handle the recovery so do yourself a favor and give yourself the best opportunity to heal well after surgery.

And like your doc said if you've got bowel or bladder incontinence or loss of extremitiy function/sensation (numbness) get to the ER for evaluation STAT(immediately) or if you've any new severe unrelenting pain that is not alleviated by your normal relief measures.

Meanwhile stay well and good luck with all. Hope the new job goes well for you! Maria

[Ash77]

I have had a pro disc since 2001, yes one of the first in the FDA study. I can tell you recovery was easy had prior lami that was more difficult. Within a few months I felt good. I have had pains here and there but pro disc remained as implanted and fine mostly any nerve pain prior to the pro disc. That said it was a success....issues I wish I knew before, if ever to be replaced or it failed that secondary surgery can be dangerous, no I have never needed a second surgery but that does put some fear in me though I am still unclear if it ever did fail could they just fuse by putting instrumentation in back of spine to lock a pro disc in place...question I never get a clear answer on...thus this issue is one i often wonder knowing now would it alter my choice...

But the pro disc has been good to me no issues in surgery or its performance...but I have given you an objective view from likely having this the longest of usa patients though euros have had it about nine to ten years before me...

I wish you an educated decision and good luck...and yes my pain in that area caused by my disc never returned nor any collateral issues to that disc area...