Lumbar L5-S1 (Freedom Lumbar Disc Replacement) - Plano, TX

[femalepowerlifter310]

Originally Posted by dbalkema

Ok,

So I wanted to give an update on my surgery. I had my 2 week post-op today. I am so excited! Everything is going very well. The only 2 issues I am having is the Muscle spasms are pretty intense and I am having a little issue with my bladder and urinating. I think it may be due to having a catheter put in at the hospital. So, I am being referred to a Urologist for further study....

Other than that, I have no more pain in my leg nor in my lower back! I still have restrictions with lifting, but the brace can come off and I can start resuming normal "daily activities."

Dr. Guyer prescribed more Zanaflex for the muscle spasms and Physical Therapy for spine stabilization. And then referring me to a Urologist for the bladder issue.

As of right now, this is by far one of the best decisions I have ever made. I was a little nervous getting something that really hadn't been studied in the US, but OMG, I feel 100% better than what I was feeling before the surgery!

The Freedom Lumbar Disc Rocks!

Dan

Hello!
Thank you so much for posting your story! I'm having surgery in the Axiomed trial this Monday and was searching for a little more positivity... it is a bit daunting! So I'll make sure I leave with muscle relaxers as well as pain killers! Would REALLY love to hear from you, if you get this message, about what life is like now... I have a wonderful doctor and participating at Cedars Sinai here in Los Angeles, so I feel that I was blessed by running into this situation.
I'm an athlete and avid horse rider, and my doc is saying he's gotten many athletes back into their sports of choice. He too is saying a short recovery time, but I'm imagining 3 months of being on the safe side.
So all you Freedom Disc folks, please email me asap! And please send sunny positive thoughts to me Monday morning... I'm ready to be pain free and get my capabilities back. Oh yeah!
FPL310
neophyte310@mac.com

[Dan]

I found this forum by searching for information on the new Freedom Lumbar Disc. I have a torn disc at L5-S1 and have been dealing with back pain for almost 7 years now. I have tried everything short of surgery to fix my back pain and nothing has worked for very long. I was wondering if you could give me an update as to how your surgery went and which artificial disc you actually received in the study.

This is my first post here. Any follow-up you can give will be greatly appreciated.

[Rick7410]

I was wondering if you have found out any information on the disc replacement surgery? If so could you share the information. My doctor wants to do a disc replacement in L5 S1 and I would like to find out the success rate since this is fairly a new procedure. Thanks Rick

[dshobbies]

Hi Rick,

Welcome to the forum. You asked the million dollar question. Please start a new thread telling us a little about yourself so we know what you're going through.

We're not doctors but speak from the 'been there, done that' point of view.

Look forward to hearing more about your story, Dale

[zev]

I'm interested in the surgery and post surgical experience. This is my 3rd surgery on the same disc L5-S1. 1st surgery 6/05 just to remove the bulging portion, I was back to normal quickly, 2nd I went from 4mm to 1cm by 9mm in a week. The surgeon removed some bone spurs and "carved" some room for the sciatic nerve, he noted moderate spinal stenosis 5/09. I've been in pain since then and the last few months, the pain is at an all time high. Surgeon is going use a ceramic prosthetic disc replacement that fuses the bone. Due to the L5-S1 not using as much movement. I'm not sure if this is the best idea, yet I have no disc space left. So....cutting through the abdominal section to get to the spine sounds like it could be a long recovery. Any input is appreciated.