Success story for L4-5 ProDisc in USA

[Michelle]

Well, I just got home from my 6 week post-op appointment with Dr. Janssen. He was so thrilled with my recovery, he wouldn’t stop going on and on to the doctor from the UK that was there with him learning to do ADRs. He hugged me twice, and actually kissed my cheek once! He released me from all restrictions, aside from ‘if it hurts, don’t do it’, including the brace (oh, I can’t go bungee-jumping or skydiving for a year). He said I could ski, have a kid, go back to full days at work as of the 6th, whatever I wanted to do. I’m supposed to start PT with a Pilates or Yoga program, with no restriction on movements I can do. One thing I thought was interesting was something he said to his ‘student’ (and I’m paraphrasing) “The disc implant itself isn’t what restores movement in the area. That’s our job, during the surgery. We have to mobilize all the structures surrounding the disc or it won’t restore movement.” I thought that was quite interesting. He said I’d gained an inch of height. I was down to 4 mm of disc, and came out with 25mm (does that come out to an inch? I can’t remember the conversion). No wonder my legs hurt! He said the sharp pain I have at that level, near the skin, is the facet joints like I’d thought. They now have a lot more movement than they’ve had in 8 years. He said they’ll get used to it and the pain should pass. Oddly, they said there was no problem using my TENS unit, which is something that I’d heard was definitely off-limits, and that no antibiotics were necessary before dental procedures. He did give me a card to carry in my wallet about the implant, the nurse said it was for the airport. I asked if it would set off the metal-detectors, but was told probably not. It was really just for records, and in case of an accident or something. But I had to give it back, as they’d put the wrong level on it. Needless to say, despite the 4 hour drive to get there, I feel great after such a glowing report!! Now to figure out how not to go from 0 to 10 hour days in one shot. 4 hour days anyone??

[chasswen]

good deal michelle
please remember slow and steady.
chuck

[Maria]

Michelle,
It must feel so wonderful to feel so good and have it all validated by your doctor~ even tho you could feel good w/o his/her validation but it's just that little icing on the cake.. that person who is a doctor agreeing w/you that all is well in your universe because of the surgery~ so great!!!!!
Don't ask me how to slow your jets since whenever I get an ESI and think my back is normal again I act it... never learn..
Best wishes with your new spine, cherish and enjoy your new life~ may it always be so~

[Michelle]

Monday was my first day back to work, for a 4 hour day. And it was pretty good. It was the first time I'd really noticed how much more movement I have in my lower back. It was kind of disconcerting, and a little painful, but it seems to be getting better already. I'm glad I'm only doing 4 hour days for the first 2 weeks, because it's very tiring. My workmates are very good about telling me to sit down when I get too ambitious. I draw blood at a hospital lab, and then sit down and do computer work for a few minutes, so it's a perfect mix of position changes. The pain I feel is definately different from before surgery, and slowly decreasing. I think the PT I started Monday too was rough to do the same day. It made my SI joints hurt for a while. I haven't been as diligent about doing the exercises as I should be, but it's hard to convince myself that it won't make my pain continually worse as it did before. I'm giving myself a few days to get used to work, then I'll get after the exercises again. One of these first days, we'd like to celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary that passed yesterday with barely a mention. Besides all this happening with me, my hubby split his finger open at work (11 stitches), so it's been a great week! I'm just glad returning to work wasn't as hard as I'd expected, despite having a cold.

[dshobbies]

Michelle,

You're less than 2 months post-op and need to listen to everything your body is telling you and act accordingly. Returning to work this early is miraculous but to continue on this path, you must heed your own body's warnings.

I'm thrilled for you and pray you stay this course, Dale

[letteski]

Michelle

I am so glad you are doing well and taking the time to share it with us here. I went snorkeling in Hawaii at 7 weeks, snow skied at 3.5 months and went back to work as a PE teacher for children with disabilities at 5 months, all while doing PT. I am now 14+ months post op and doing ski conditioning classes that consist of impact anaerobic exercises like jumping, running and agility movements as well as balance drills and core strengthening exercises. I mountain biked all summer and will be making my big come back on the slopes this winter. So you have a lot to look forward to. I worked my way into all of this and I know you will too. Enjoy your new life you deserve it.

[Michelle]

Well, tomorrow is 8 weeks! I'm tired and sore after a long pilates PT session yesterday. I'm trying again to not take the last 30 mg of Avinza (long-acting morphine). It only lasted 2 1\2 days last time I tried. With a couple extra breakthrough meds, I'm hoping to be done with the Avinza. We'll see! My goal is to have another kid by 2008, so getting off these meds are important to me! I also hope to teach my 3 (almost 4) year old son to ski soon! So, I have a lot of incentive to get moving! Work is getting easier, and I'll got up to 6-8 hour days next week, then back to 10's the week after. I found it still hurts when I have to bend down to draw a patient's blood, like it did before surgery, but hopefully that'll get better. Anyway, I'm very glad I did the surgery, and every day gets a little better!