Success story for L4-5 ProDisc in USA

[Michelle]

3 1\2 months post op and had my facets injected today. I feel great right now, though the doc warned me that would only last most of today as the local anesthetic is still around. The next week will probably be bad, then hopefully the steroid will help after that. It's a good sign that I have -0- pain right now, isn't it? I'm hoping so. I would love to get rid of this last 2 of 10 pain. Tolerable if they can't, but boy, wouldn't it be great?? I don't expect to have no back pain the rest of my life, but I'd settle for getting off the rest of these meds! The doc did say that it appeared that the facets were 'off' a little bit in relation to each other (don't remember the exact words he used). He said my spinal column is lined up properly, but the facets don't seem to be. I wondered if that was due to having years of very little disc height, now restored to normal. They've been jammed together on each other a while. He did say no wonder they hurt. I still have some upper back pain/spasms, but I've found they immediately decrease when I extend my back to the normal lumbar lordosis. I've found it's less painful when I flex my back a bit (extension often hurts the facets!) so I often flatten the lordosis. Am I getting flexion/extension mixed up? Bending back hurts the facets, and so I flatten the lordosis, causing my upper back to slump forward. I'm hoping that if we can control the facet pain, I'll be able to return to the normal posture more easily. I'm still thrilled with the relief I've gotten so far, and I'm just hoping for a little more!

[mmglobal]

Michelle, thanks for the update.

Flex forward, extend back. For me, right is towards the shoe with the big R on the toe.

It's good news / bad news that your facet injection relieved your pain. The good news is that you have high confidence that you know where the pain generator is. The bad news is that your facets are painful.

Since you are so newly post-op, you may be looking forward to your facets recovering as the disc height has been restored, hopefully re-aligning the facets. I'll be very interested to discover how you do with theraputic facet injections and possibly rhizotomy. (Hopefully you can avoid the rhizo, but if you need one, it may be an option.)

All the best,

Mark

[Michelle]

I'm just past 6 months post-op, and doing pretty well. I had a facet rhizo just under a month ago. It seems to have reduced the sharp pain I had near the surface of my back. The day after the rhizo I was really excited as I didn't have any pain at all. I can't say that now, unfortunately. My husband had a major stroke last month, and I now have to help him with a lot of movements. I gotta say that I'm still happy with my ADR, because I don't think that without it and the rhizo, I would be able to help him like I am. If the cost of doing that is not getting down to no pain, and still being on some pain meds, I guess I can live with that. He's improving, and can almost transfer himself from bed to chair by himself, so I'm hopeful that this is not a permanent pain level for me. I still get some radiating pain in my hips and legs, and some SI pain with all the sitting and bending. The very localized pain around my implant is pretty well gone, so I'm happy about that. If it weren't for all the bending, and awkward positions I have to get into to help hubby, I think I would have very little pain. I got down to about a 2 most days before the stroke, and now only get up to 4-5 when I've done something I really shouldn't have. Thankfully my pain management doc is great, and really working with me. Hubby will come home from rehab hosp. sometime around May 3. Wish us luck!!

[Maria]

Michelle,
You've been so good about keeping us updated, thank you very much for this~

Having worked in nursing for years (injuring my low back w/lifting/moving patients) I really feel for your spine in terms of helping your husband. I know you're doing what is needed and hopefully good body mechanics and a partially new spine will help~ and my thoughts and prayers for your hub's recovery~

take good care and once again much thanks for keeping us udated!

[dshobbies]

Michelle,

I am so sorry for your circumstances. While you must rise to the occasion, I can only hope that new back rises with you. I also wish your husband as speedy a recovery as possible. Our worlds take many turns in life which only serve to make us stronger. My thoughts are with both of you.

Please take care, Dale

[chasswen]

michelle
very pleased to hear of good recovery. and i am very sorry to hear of your ongoing family problems. wishing and praying for your wade to make a full recovery. please remember all those positive thoughts you needed for a good recovery are still now needed more so than ever before, as now you are baring the weight of the world on your shoulders.
best wishes
chuck and bev

[Michelle]

The one year anniversary of my surgery came and went with nary a thought. I'm still on some painkillers, but much happier with the pain levels than before surgery. At least the painkillers work. I'm working full-time, doing pilates, riding my stationary bike, and keeping up with my husband's therapies and doctors since his stroke in March. We're both hanging in there well. He's home, and doing everything himself now except things that require two hands (buttoning, laces, etc) so at least I don't have to physically help him much anymore. The worst taking care of everything does to me is stress, which may be part of the pain as well. But I'm still very happy with my decision! The facet rhizo still seems to help the local pain as well. Now my back pain is just a minor annoyance, not a major thing, so I'm thrilled!