"Too tall" ADR implants????

[fortitudine]

I wonder if any docs are doing research on this phenomenon of supposedly too tall ADR implants, leaving patients in pain, which have been the subject of some posts on various forums. I wonder if restoring a degenerated level to its original, youthful height is a mistake?

Mark, do you know of any discussion taking place in the surgical community about this?

And Happy New Year, all.

[Maria]

I've long wondered this as well considering I've had a 20 plus year lumbar back history and DDD noted back in early '90s when post second surgical MRIs done more regularly.

If the ligaments and musculature (any other structures) have adapted to the progressive degerative spine over time or maybe just shortened/contracted~ then hypothetically could restoring disc space to normal height be potentially problematic for longer term spine patients.

It would be cool if there were a measuring device that could approximate what an idividual could tolerate in terms of disc space height and then like that type of mattress that could be pumped up, be pumped up in terms of tolerace. Sort of like recreating pain with discogram but more like measurements that fall between the fine line of creating pain and alleviating pain.

I wonder about fusing L5S1 ~ restoring L4 and then what will happen with my anular tear L3. Will it like the work done on the other two discs or will it rage against it. That's if my facets are even still good enough for any disc replacement and/or bone density willing still in this country (w/o vertebroplasty)!

[fuzzy]

My disc space was collapsed for a decade or more deterioating every since. Now my back feels "fixed" it has not felt like this in a long time if not ever. My low back "works" again. I am sure the restored disc space has something to do with it. There are healing and distraction pain, probably due to the stretching but time will more often then not heal those pains. I am very hopeful (but impatient) here.

[johnb]

The designers of the Activ-L saw fit offer a shorter prosthesis size if warranted. http://www.backup-spine.com/doc/doc_...CER_AUTOLINK&&

Also, Zeegers site makes mention of it too. http://www.medkiozk.com/

If I was working with low disc height, the active l seems like a logical choice.

johnb

[martyusa]

Ever since I have started having problems I have face this dilemma.

We know that DDD will usually, eventually cause the disc to collapse if those who have the problem lead active lifestyles. Whether it be work or athletics. And yes, some modifications need to be taken into consideration when these disc bulge, herniate or are just ready to go in time.

With a condition of a herniated/bulging disc with DDD and a mild thinning with mild loss of signal, why would we not go right in and fix the problem. Instead of a temporary patch. Most of us know our bodies and the limitations that we have. And it is a catch 22.

Your whole body adjust and realign it's self when a disc collapses, right? Then the body will have to readjust itself when the ADR is put it, right? The height changes. So if we know it's going to collapse eventually, why don't we just fix it while the disc height is still normal.

Now granted, not everyone fits this billet. Some people have a laminectomy or discectomy and their fine forever. We have the technology to do it right the first time. Sometimes I feel like an insurance Guinea Pig...try this, now try this. Take this drug, now this drug. When for the most part, none of this has helped the majority with the problem.

Like I said, most of us know our bodies and it's limitations. I'm the very active athletic dad that is always playing some type of competitive sport. OK, herniated disc with mild DDD and annular tear. We're gonna patch it and HOPEFULLY the laminectomy will work. But if it doesn't an ADR is out of the question down the road.

Don't plug the tire and wait for the plug to fail. Don't let it go flat and ride on the rim. Change the damn thing. Give me a new tire so I don;t have to worry about these things down the road. Give me 10, 15 or possible 20 years. Not 2-4, or maybe less.

Sorry, kind got on a rant there. But you see my point.

[B13s]

Regarding tire thing - did you see tire that lasts 20 years ? Once you back is screwed-up - there is no way to make it whole again - you can only try to delay complete destruction with ADR(s), PT, medications etc. and hope that you prolong it until your death