M6-L L5-S1 Oct/2011 Feb 2014 told it's failing

[Karger]

Has Dr zeegers come back to you with any theorys?

Karger

[vnf]

Need to remove for personal reasons

[henry4956]

What a dilemma. You will undoubtedly be haunted by this decision. My instincts say the M6 should come out, for what it's worth. Perhaps the docs who say it can stay in, are saying that because they are not up to the task of taking out the M6. Too many surgeons IMO make recommendations based on their limited abilities and instead of saying 'I think you should do X, and I'm not experienced or trained to do X, but I can recommend someone who can'

There's not much I can say or that anyone can say that is going to make this any easier for you to decide. Even as far as the fusion, I have a friend with multiple lumbar fusions who swears if he could do it all again - he would make sure he'd have nothing but '360' fusions, which of course require posterior and anterior approaches. I'm probably not helping you here. In my mind, I would not want anyone without adr experience taking it out but I would not want it replaced with another adr (say the ActivL) for instance. I do strongly believe the ActivL is a superior disk but in your case considering the level L5-S1, the existing condition Failed ADR, and some facet degeneration since original implant - I would think another 'replacement disk' would not give you much peace of mind.

However, I think you have said the level above is now showing signs of degeneration as well, in which case maybe the ActivL would be a better long term solution. An I have not even touched on the danger of going frontal again. Oh My God, this has to be the most complex decision I can imagine.

I think this one will require some deep consultation with the Lord. I think your answer will become clear eventually. Just keep the faith in the mean time and I for one will be praying for you.

[vnf]

Need to remove for personal reasons

[henry4956]

I think you have the right attitude. God expects us to use our minds and seek knowledge, but in the end it ALWAYS comes down to trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding

May peace be with you

[henry4956]

Wow, I just posted and had not seen your decision. 100% endorsement. I am glad that you have the finances to do this. You are having a magnificent surgeon remove the failed disk. Was it easy to convince him that you preferred to fuse as opposed to a ActivL?

I doubt that I could afford to go your route 2 1/2 years after spending over 50k, but IMO you have put yourself in the best possible position for ultimate success.

[henry4956]

Even if your facet joints were better and there were no bone density concerns, in your case with what you've been through - I'd take fusion anyway. If hindsight were 20/20! you'd probably be about $80,000 richer, without all the drama.

You are in good hands with Willem, his surgical record is practically spotless

[Tableone]

Hello:

i just wanted to say how sorry I am that your surgery failed. How very traumatic! However, I appreciate you posting about it so we can all learn. Could you please let us know what you decided to do? I'm preparing for lumbar 2 level surgery and want to know what the surgery options are in the US or Europe for failed ADR surgeries. Actually, in my particular case the ADR is only expected to last for about 15 years so I really need to have a plan in place for when my do break down.

Thank you!

[runner]

Tableone, who was it that said that your ADR would last only 15 years?
You do not have to say a name but I am curious about that because there are people past 15. I am six years plus for my first ADR. It is working fine. Other one, is a question mark, mechanically, it is supposed to be fine.

Vicki, Sorry to hear your problem.

I am having problems with my L5/S1 but my ADR is working fine. I spoke to my doctor about 2 months ago and he thinks fusion might not help me. He said to fuse my L5/S1 would be a "knee-jerk reaction", but I am not sure (u can see my thread). If he did a posterior fusion, he would leave the ProDisc in. Looking at what can happen in surgery, I do not think I would attempt to take out a ProDisc ADR that has been in there for three years. Being an RN, influences my thinking, however.

He also told me the fusion would not be an easy surgery, and so I am seeing if that is the thing to do.
I know my problems are progressing because now, I am waking up and my left foot is numb. That has happened in the past 2 weeks; so that kind of worries me. I just think the progressive nature of my problems indicate something that is pressing on my nerves and is obscurred by the artifact from the stainless steel ProDisc ADR. My pain doctor thinks I have a permanent problem, nerve damage.

Vicki, actually, about the M-6, I have not seen too many fail or develop problems. This is a heads up of what can occur. But who knows, I mean so many things can happen with a spinal surgery. In the future, I hope they can halt DDD without surgery.

Hang in there,

Runner

[vnf]

Surgery will be November 19th with Dr. Regan.
Anterior approach, M6 removed and a fusion will be done.

I got out of cooking a Thanksgiving dinner but maybe instead we will just be thankful for a successful surgery!