L4-5 ProDisc Bertagnoli - 5 years post-op!

[cavalier]

Yes Pops that is correct - at the time of my implantation I was one of only 3 in the world to have a ADR for a spondylo. I also remember Dr B. telling me in his opinion I had the worst single level disc he had ever seen in his approx. 18 yr's at that time. What a dubious distinction. What was in this decision making was knowing the disc or the lack of one was in NO doubt my pain generator of IMMENSE proportions. I had a Lidocaine Facet injection at L4L5 just before leaving for Germany to be sure the facets were not a issue I requested this here just to be sure of their status in this equation. They were arthritic but nothing I have not been able to manage & they were NOT the source of my pain. I basically had nothing left to loose I was at the end of my rope & things were getting pretty bad leg wise again for pain with nerves being compressed. I didn't wait 10 yr's of refusing a 2 level fusion just to have one now & I knew I had to have this surgery or wind up being someone's ER fusion a 2 level one - I had no choice left. Oddly a S.S. from N. Carolina was there in the room learning how to do this surgery as Dr B. operated on me - he said I would have been the same thing I knew someone's ER fusion in less than 2 wk's time. I barely made it in the nick of time. I refused Dynesis alone as I knew it would not do anything but to stabilize me - the long standing pain of 10 yr's was the disc level not the recent Spondylo & so I refused Dynessis surgery alone with Dr B & Fenk- Mayer this stalled thigns by 2 mo's until i told Dr Fenk - Mayer I needed their help was serious but I needed to talk to them 1st to tell them I needed to address the discogenic pain. Dr B. called me & by my asking him questions & he me he agreed I needed the ADR the most as I felt & he said if this slipped later on I would need Dynesis. So far so good & L3L4 which was herniated has also stayed thanks to the ADR - Dynesis alone I feel over time I would have blown that level which now the studies have shown so I am glad.
We had one week's notice as Dr B worked me in as a emergency case. My MRI never showed the full extent of the issues & Dr B had a painstackingly long surgery - the USA doc said I got perfection that day. I believe God was in the room as the Great Physican. As you may remember Mark I woke up to only surgical pain the old pain was gone! I never looked back & heck no - I have fallen more times since my surgery than i care to count - for one reason or another. Some of the falls have been hard & I broke a rib over my heart last summer - my ADR has survived & stood by me. My issues are now being caused by a sleeping monster I had hoped to keep asleep as long as I could my neck. - It is still not the pain level of my low back but it is limiting me in way of my arms & it is nagging. I posted my info on my neck under Old Lumbar now a Cervie I think it is called. I have not taken a pain pill since the 2nd day of my ADR surgery. I have kept moving & truly enjoyed a time with no pain in many many years. Now it is Headaches & what feels like someone is choking me on my neck etc. arm pressure & some nerve jolts in the arm & shoulder pain the normal Cervie drill I guess. But I have the T.O.S. as a 2ndary to my neck & it compromising 2 Arteries & other issues that I know I need to address. I feel I am impinging especially with movements backwards especially if I look up or move my head back on my cord & nerves.
With all of the rain we have constantly had this spring I can get quite inflammed & arthritic. I know I can get better - it's just a matter of when - like it was before. It is real but a solution is also real.
Jill

[cavalier]

Mark - the title of the update about my neck & TOS is under ISpine called -http://www.ispine.org/forum/ispine/1555-cervical-now-old-past-lumbar-sufferer.html Bad when you cant remember what you named it
We sadly have more in common once again with the necks i was playing catch up in reading about your own case. I am glad you are on the other side - but you need to slow down just a tad for a bit that was alot of surgery. I know I went at things full speed after my ADR surgery & it maybe why I got the MMRSA colonized Staph infection. After that surgery to remove that from my body I was pretty run down for a bit. I know easier said than done to slow down - I didn't but I dont want you to get down sick as I did either in pushing yourself too hard. Tommorrow is always another day. Of course I also understand wanting to play catch up & being driven.
All the best - Jill

[KenG]

Hi Cavalier,

I'm posting it from Japan.
I'm seeking ADR for my l5s1. I'm told it's retrolisthesis or pseudolisthesis.
I'm glad if patients like my disc can have some hope for ADR.
comparing to your condition, I'd appreciate if you could give me comment
by looking at my mri picture in my album.

thanks.

[cavalier]

I am not a doc but i have gotten good about reading MRI's sadly from my 10 yr's & in looking with different doc's one took the time to really show me. I dont know where to find your album at but you can tell me where on this forum - I will look obviously the best is having a Proficient ADR doc take a look.

Best - Jill

[KenG]

Hi, if you just click my name KenG, album is at the right hand side.
you can see 2 mri there. thanks.

[cavalier]

OK Ken - I saw where your films are at - thanks I didn't know how or where people posted those at I had to reread your note - as I looked at your films 1st in what I honestly thought in my UNPROFESSIONAL Opinion - of what I saw if anything for a issue. I immediately saw your L5S1 as jumping out at me for a problem. I thought geesh I dont see his L4L5 as being the bad boy but this is what I would be worried about - when I reread I OK good yes - That is what they have identified. Have you been given a grade ? Although dont be surprised if the grades given by differing doc's will vary. I was more slipped off than this however so if it were me I would do what I did back then & get the world's best opinions you can find. I went to Dr B. for my surgery as you have read & I have no regrets - even though it was expensive & more time consuming I have only one back, one life & had already had one failed surgery already that I did trying to do it the easy way close by & having insurance to pay etc - so I have found convience does not always equal what is best for you. But yes I think you have chances of some hope but I would leave that up to Dr B. & the other top spine doc's but a retro or a spondylo is not for a average spine doc - you need really one of the best to handle a more complex case as you have more risk of issue and those are better handled by those who have dealt with them more. That was the advice given to me by a Spine doc himself & I have not forgotten it - it was & still is sound advice. let us know what you find out - but keep in mind you will get various opinions with a condition like this I know i did.
Best - Jill