Artificial Disc and Disc Replacement - Patients' Advice: Part I

Patients share advice about artificial disc clinical trials and disc replacement surgery
In this section, patients share their insights about why they decided to have disc replacement, challenges and successes with recovery and advice for others who are considering an artificial disc.

I'm writing this on the one year anniversary of my L5-S1 Charite Disc Replacement surgery 9/06. I am 44 years old. Overall I am happy with the results. I will not sugar coat it though. It was a HUGE operation. I was up and shopping a week later. The constant nerve pain in my big toe was gone for the first time in 5 years. (DDD).

I had been through numerous treatments, procedures, etc. I incurred multiple traumas over 5 years ago and have been on disability. I had a C5-C6, C6-C7 neck fusion in 2003. I like the fact that I have more flexibility in my low back with the Charite disc. I am still in PT 3x a week. There is improvement but it is going slower than I thought.

The similar symptoms that many of you are describing with the radiating leg pain I have found to be caused when my pelvis goes out of alignment from something as simple as tripping. I have a great PT team who is certified in Functional Manual Therapy. It takes a LONG time to get the core muscles functioning properly after this type of surgery. The psoas muscle requires work as well. Pay attention to your body mechanics. I don't use any pain killers now but occasionally use ice and Motrin if I overdo it. Hellerwork and trigger point therapy/injections were the only things that gave me any temporary relief before the surgery. Find the most competent surgeons and PT's out there. I wouldn't want to go through this again but I am glad I had the guts to do it in the first place.

I find these forums helpful. Most people don't understand what we are going through. Stay positive. There is always hope.

From: PJ – New York, USA

I had 2 level Charite ADR (L4/L5 & L5/S1) about 18 months ago, and it is holding strong. I have been whitewater rafting, numerous amusement parks, and I am golfing 3-4 times a week now. The only problems that I have had during my recovery are the times that I tried to overdo it playing basketball and soccer too quickly. Now I just have a problem explaining to my wife that I cannot do any type of household chores because it is too excruciating. Just kidding. It took a while to find the right surgeon, but I definitely made the right choice. I have heard some horror stories about ADR, but for me, the procedure worked miracles.

From: Curt – Maryland, USA

I agree with D. Phillips from Pennsylvania. my advice to you...get a good physical med. & rehab doc. my surgeon did the same (L5-S1), then accused me of being an addict for still being in pain. had he taken the time to notice my other hern. disc & 4 protruding disc, he might have made the right call. do yourself a favor...lots of research on ADR...not what it is made out to be...just say no!

From: bobbo – Kentucky, USA

Hello everyone. I had Kineflex disc replacement nine months ago and I feel great. Without the disc my life was at a stand still. I could not bend or hardly move, but now I can.

From: Bonita Cook – Maryland, USA

I had the Charite artificial disc replacement surgery on 10/30/06, at L5-S1. It wasn't the magic cure all I had hoped for. I had a good Dr. who had performed the surgery many times. I wasn't really up to going back to work when they released me,and the pain has definitely gotten worse in my legs than before the surgery. I have most of the pain in my right leg. The Dr. told me he went in on the right side of my body from the front. If your pain is at a level of 5 or under I say hang in there and do not do this surgery. If it is worse than that then maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who have no pain. I know a guy who had this same exact surgery from same exact Dr. and he is pain free and feeling great. I am struggling to be able to get moving in the mornings and in the evenings I am in pain from the day. I personally wish I had not gotten the surgery. At least then I didn't have to work with the pain, now that I have had the surgery they will not listen to me when I say I am still in pain and cannot do this anymore. Research your Dr. I did and thought he would be behind me thru this whole thing. On a good note I can travel easier and have less actual back pain than before the surgery. If you are only in moderate pain...do not have this surgery is my advice. If the pain is extreme I say it would help, but do not think it will go away completely. Good luck.

From: D. Phillips – Pennsylvania, USA

After 9 years of chronic low back, buttock & leg pain, I had double disc replacement (L4-5, L5-S1) in March 2004. My surgeon here in Hobart used Pro-Disc replacements. As early as four days after the actual surgery I was amazed by the results. To make this response as short as possible....I am no longer on any medication (after years of large doses of medication, & epidurals annually). I am now pain free & every day I consider myself a lucky man. Truly a very successful result for me from disc replacement surgery! Best wishes to everyone who has to make a decision between Back Surgical procedures. Now 3 years (May 2007) after Pro-Disc replacement, I'm still amazed :-) Cheers!

From: Stephen G

I had a Kineflex cervical disc replacement at C6-C7 on April 25, 2007, as part of the clinical trial for this disc. Although it has only been a couple of weeks, so far everything is fantastic! I'm back to work already and for the first time in as long as I can remember, not in pain. I had daily headaches, shoulder/arm/hand pain and hand numbness and all of it is gone except for a little transient tingling in my left hand (part of which is probably my own fault for overdoing things soon after my surgery). Like somebody else mentioned, I knew as soon as I woke up from surgery that once the post-operative pain subsided, I was going to feel so much better than before. I'm no longer on pain meds, just the Celebrex that the study protocol requires (couldn't do Motrin due to tinnitis and palpitations). I just hope that I continue to improve and don't have any of the later issues that some people have had. I'm thrilled that I received ADR rather than fusion; I'm only 38 and the restrictions that come with fusion were very unappealing. For anybody considering ADR, I would say, do your homework to make sure it's right for you. For me, it was, and I hope to have this disc for the rest of what I hope is a long life. Oh, and one other thing- my doctor didn't even put me into a cervical collar after surgery. I was amazed! I wore one for the ride home from the hospital, but that was it. Nobody can believe that I'm already back at work. Including me!

From: Laura – New York , USA

On January 17th, 2007 I had artificial disc replacement surgery at L5-S1 with the Kineflex ARD. Two months following surgery I was completely off my meds, which I've been taking for 4 years, and I've started going back to the gym lifting weights on a full time basis five times per week. Additionally, I'm back on the softball field playing the game I love without......I said without...any pain at all. This surgery has been nothing short of a miracle. I'm only 27 yrs old and a spinal fusion was not an option for me. I wanted to maintain my range of motion and moreover, I still have DDD in my L4-L5. A spinal fusion would have placed additional pressure onto that disc and another surgery would have been inevitable. I did not experience to many troubles during my post-operative recovery. I will say, however, that my 4 days in the ICU were hell as the pain following the surgery was like nothing I've ever experienced, but it was definitely worth it and I would not hesitate to do it again. My advice for younger patients who are in chronic pain, have disc replacement surgery.....it has literally given me my life back. I highly recommend the Kineflex ARD.

From: Kevin Baker – California, USA

I was 31 years old when I had a Charite disc put in on August 2005 at Winchester, VA.  I was the first person to have this procedure done at this particular hospital and the first for my Dr.  I had been in a vehicle accident in 2003 and had terrible pain in my lower back, right leg, hip, foot, and 3 of my toes on my right foot.  I am the type of person who can endure a lot of pain before complaining, but it got so bad I couldn’t walk, bend forward, climb steps, sit for long periods of time, or stand.  I have 4 children that are very active and I couldn’t even take care of myself much less them.  I went in for surgery and had the disc put in L5-S1 with no complications.  When I awoke I had no pain and needed no painkillers, which was wonderful.  I hadn’t experienced that in 2 years.  I went home the following morning with very few restrictions and the only problem I had was from the stiches in my stomach and even that went away in a week.  I didn’t even need to take pain meds anymore because my back felt like new.  It has been almost 2 years since my surgery and I am still 100% better than I was before my surgery and taking no painkillers!  I run, jump on the trampoline, play basketball, sit for hours on metal bleachers, swim, and I even ride roller coasters!  I can do almost everything!  The only thing that stops me is fear of ruining a good thing.  My kids have their mom back and I feel great!  I can’t thank my doctor enough!  I am very fortunate that everything has gone so well and that I have a great Dr.

From: Chaney – West Virginia, USA

I had a Maverick disc implanted at L5/S1 late in 2006.  I was advised to have this as I firstly was too young – 38 yrs old at the time. Secondly my neurosurgeon stated that the disc replacement would solve my severe pain, numbness in my legs and sometimes paralysis, too. The procedure went well, in ICU for 3 days, home thereafter-post op 1 week all pain was still present, neurosurgeon said that it was my imagination, X-rays showed prosthesis looks good. I had 6 epidurals thereafter and 3 facet block procedures and 1 nerve root block procedure too. I had pain every day, for about 8 months until I got a second opinion from another neurosurgeon, who firstly supplied me with a corset, which was fantastic as my pain would subside considerably, when it was off, my pain would return. I was probably off work for at least 3 months during the 8 months due to excessive pain. Then Oct 2006 I had a posterior L5/S1 spinal fusion with decompression on the artificial disc. I was back at work 1st Nov 2006 and I have not looked back. I have started doing things I used to do before my back problem started.  I'm now 5 months post fusion op and I tell you as we would say here in South Africa - EISH!- The whole issue depends on you and your neurosurgeon on what route to go, but my disc replacement was not one of the best decisions, my fusion YES....

From: Heinz Strubchen – Cape Town, South Africa

I had my Charite disk implanted in March 2006. I have waited this long to make a statement. During surgery my artery was severed, and my surgery time was doubled. Immediately after surgery, I started to improve. About three months post surgery I could walk 3 miles and climb stairs without pain. Then the pain, numbness, and burning sensation returned to my back and hips. After 9+ steroid injections and more narcotics than I can name here the pain is still excruciating. They tell me the next step is spinal fusion or a spinal stimulator to mask the pain. My life is ruined, I can't ever return to my job, and I am only 45 years old. The 85% success rate I was offered has now become closer to 50%. Think long and hard before you consider this surgery as an option. I am in the FDA Study, and was assured that I was an excellent candidate for this surgery. I was better off prior to having this disk implanted.

From: Bill - North Carolina, USA

I had the Charite artificial disc implanted at L5/S1 3-1/2 weeks ago and I'm doing great. I've had very little post-surgical pain and I'm walking a couple miles a day. I've had back problems since I was 19 (now 50). I underwent a laminectomy & microdiscectomy at the same level 15 years ago which was very successful until it failed about a year ago.

The biggest improvement that I've noticed so far is that I can walk up hills and stairs again without doubling over in pain. I walked up 3 steep blocks in downtown Seattle last week and could not believe that not only did I not have to stop and rest at all, my back was not sending excruciating pain down my legs.

I expect to be back on my horse at 8 weeks post-op and riding and jumping competitively this summer.

I highly recommend this surgery--even with the slight risk of the disc becoming displaced (especially with my lifestyle). The best advice is to find the most competent, experienced & specialized back surgeon in the US (mine was in Seattle).

Good luck.

From: Anonymous – Washington, USA

I had a Maverick implanted at L4-L5 after a recurrent herniation of a 6/2005 Microdiscectomy. The surgery was done in Germany because I thought their surgeons had the most experience. It was done 3 weeks ago and I can see a near 100% recovery in time. I am not taking any pain meds, walking about a mile per day, spinning for twenty minutes per day, and doing the prescribed isometric exercises. The only thing limiting my daily activities are the orders from the surgeons to limit extensive bending and twisting. Before the operation I could only walk about 100 feet at a time with severe pain and was confined to my recliner with only trips to the bathroom and medicine cabinet. I was in less pain within 24 hours after surgery than before. It will be less than 5 more weeks until the bone has grown into the Maverick and I will be able to return to my prior lifestyle which includes mountain biking, skiing, logging (as a hobby), and being able to sit without pain. I would call my ADR nothing short of a miracle.

From: Randy Smith – Idaho, USA

I've recently had the PRODISC-L surgery. I have written on this site recently. My worry is I may soon have problems like some of the other writers.

I was never told that the plastic could wear out. I was told this would be the only time I would have to have this surgery.

I pray that the key to a successful surgery is a surgeon who knows what he is doing. My surgeons said they have done this procedure over 500 times. Just not with the PRODISC. He said the company that makes this disc said it was perfect placement. Since they are following my case because of recently being approved for use of 100 doctors. My doc being one of them.

I have recently ran out of insurance for this and pray I have no future problems.

My pain is much better. He says the pain left is do to muscle and ligament pain.

I sure hope I made the correct decision. I guess I won't know for awhile.

Hope everyone is getting better.

From: Elizabeth – Oklahoma, USA

I had surgery 12 weeks ago and I feel great. I had artificial disk replacement at L5/S1. I would not have a lumbar fusion at all. I have my life back again and I am able to do things now that I was not able to do in 6 years. Fusion would have taken my life so I had decided to go with the disk replacement to have my range of motion and flexibility. If you are a candidate and the study is you option, go for it. No one ever wants to have surgery, so if you have no choice, talk to your doctor and consider the disk replacement. This was the best decision that I have made when it came to having surgery. I am in physical therapy at the present time and I feel great. If I could reach out and talk to anyone with their back pain problems I would gladly do so. God Bless all back pain sufferers.

From: Bonita Cook – Maryland, USA

Hi Everyone –
On the 17 Nov 2006 I had total disc replacement lower back L5-S1 and was doing really well until two weeks ago.  I got a virus and it’s kind of set me back.  The old pain came back – aching, burning across lower back, and irritation.  It’s started to subside a little with the help of strong painkillers.  I did not go into the op lightly.  I had 18 months of pain.  April 2006 I had a microdiscectomy which failed.  Before that I went down the road of facet joint injections, two discographies, three epidurals…you name it, I tried it.  I’m walking 20 mins three times a day, hydrotherapy twice a week, and physio twice a week.  We all have to be strong and try not to think what we have lost but what we may gain.  I would really love to have a baby, but am worried about complications with my spine.  Keep those chins up and positive thinking everyone.

From: Emma-Kate – England, UK

IN NOV. 2006 I RECEIVED, AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND PAIN, THE PRODISC-L IN L5-S1 AREA OF THE LUMBAR SPINE. I WAS THE FIRST PERSON IN OK TO RECEIVE IT AFTER BEING APPROVED BY THE FDA. IN FACT, JUST 2 DAYS AFTER MY DR. WAS CHOSEN ONE OF THE 100 TO DO THIS SURGERY IN THE USA. OF COURSE, AFTER ALL THE TRIALS.

MUCH TO MY DELIGHT, I FINALLY FOUND SOMEONE TO HELP GET RID OF THE PAIN, INSTEAD OF TRYING TO COVER IT UP. TOO MANY PILLS AND INJECTIONS AND TESTS WITH NO RELIEF. LIKE MANY OF YOU, YOU THINK IT WILL NEVER GET BETTER. BUT, IT CAN GET BETTER WITH A SUCCESSFUL SURGERY. I WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE 100% EVER AGAIN. BUT, I AM ALREADY MUCH BETTER. ONLY IF I OVER DO IT DO I FEEL PAIN AGAIN. AND THIS, WITH NO MEDS NOW. ONLY USING THE E-STIM MACHINE THEY SENT ME HOME WITH.

I DON'T KNOW THE FUTURE. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL CAUSE ME PROBLEMS LATER. I PRAY IT ONLY GETS BETTER. I WANT TO GET BACK TO MY LIFE. I JUST FOUND OUT I'M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA. I WANT TO PLAY, HOLD AND LIFT THIS CHILD.

I WAS SCARED OF THE THOUGHT OF A FUSION AND HELD OUT FOR THE DISC REPLACEMENT. I DON'T KNOW WHY. IT JUST SOUNDED LESS PAINFUL TO RECOVER FROM. I WAS ONLY IN THE HOSPITAL 2 1/2 DAYS. AND THE PAIN WAS NOT AS BAD AS OTHER SURGERIES I HAVE HAD.

SO, FIND A GREAT NEUROSURGEON AND GO FOR IT. AND I HOPE YOU HAVE GREAT PAIN RELIEF AND YOUR LIFE BACK. THAT IS WHAT I'M PRAYING FOR.

FOR THE ONES WITHOUT SUCCESS, I'M SO SORRY. I HOPE I DON'T TURN OUT TO BE ONE OF YOU.

From: Elizabeth – Oklahoma, USA

I had lumbar L5/S1 disk replacement 10 weeks ago. It has been the best surgery I ever had done. I have suffered with pain for more then 6years. My doctor was great. I am out of back pain completely and never felt better. I am going through physical therapy for now to build my muscles back up. I feel great - I have my life back agian and can do what I haven't done in years.

From: Bonnie - Maryland, USA

I had my c5 c6 vertebrae replaced with the Kineflex disc in Feb. 05! OMG, I am so much worse than before surgery! I too fell for the "I can fix you" line. I was so desperate to have the pain in my neck, head and right arm gone that I said YES when I should have said NO!! Each visit I'm told "EVERYTHING IS PERFECT" though I can only hold my head up for a VERY short time before I am down with such a headache and pain that I can't move! House cleaning, what’s that? I CAN'T DO ANYTHING! I was the first cervical patient in the "study" and have been dropped due to being worse after the surgery! I too am trying to get a second opinion and most doctors just don't want to mess with another doctors problem. I highly recommend anyone thinking of any surgery with metal involved that they find out what metals make up the item. I was never asked the major important questions and now find out I may have an allergy to the disc, yet I don't meet criteria to have it removed!!! I've been told by an Attorney that there's also a good chance that the doctor put the disc in wrong and/or it's pinching a nerve, YET I DON'T MEET CRITERIA TO HAVE IT REMOVED!!! Remember, doctors won't admit if there's a problem they caused so USE YOUR VOICE - IT'S YOUR BODY AND YOU'RE THE ONE SUFFERING IN AGONIZING, DEBILITATING PAIN!!!  I am so glad to know I'm not CRAZY and there are others suffering like me! BLESS ALL OF YOU SUFFERING - I PRAY IT ENDS SOON!

From: Anonymous

I had the Maverick disc replacement approx 3 yrs ago. The surgery itself went well and recovery was a breeze. Although I have had some major health issues over the past 2 yrs, probably unrelated to the surgery. If there is a connection, that is my main concern now.

From: Patti - Kentucky, USA

It's good to see at least some people have had success with these discs. I am one of the unfortunate ones who has not seen improvement. I was actually part of a study. I had my C4-C5 disc replaced with an artificial. I was the first in VA (I think) to have one of these put in the cervical spine. They said I was a good candidate. I was only 23 (last year), and had injured the disc playing soccer about 5 years before. The pain was only getting worse with time, so this seemed like a good option for me. I did have a little relief a couple of months after surgery, but then it all came back. Now I'm having pain and numbness that I never had before. The doctors don't know what's wrong. My disc is fine, but I'm still in so much pain. Just walking my dogs is killer. I'm waiting for my new insurance to kick in so I can be seen by a neurologist, who hopefully can help me. So, I just want to say good luck to all of the others still in pain and awaiting surgery.

From: Shandi – Virginia, USA

I am an active 36 y/o girl who had the Kineflex ADR surgery April 2006 and am in the study for it. I am doing great! Work Comp eventually agreed to it (believe that?). I did not want a fusion. I was just given permission to begin jogging. My Range of motion is great. I still have referred pain in my legs at times and a bladder issue. Pain is virtually gone. I am in the health care field and have not met a person yet that said getting a fusion was the best thing they ever did. They are either in chronic pain and/or still on pain meds. I believe the ADR I had is great and so was the medical personnel involved.

From: Kim – Virginia, USA

In 2002 I had disc replacement in the PRODISC-L trials at L4-5 and L5-S1. Everything was fine until about 6 months when I started feeling as if there was a lump forming in my spine. At the six-month exam, the X-ray showed that the upper disk had subsided into the vertebral body and that heterotopic ossification (bone overgrowth) had started, virtually fusing that disk in place. The doctor did NOT inform me of my condition at that time, but did acknowledge it when I asked about it at the one-year exam. Likely cause was improper placement of the replacement disk due to doctor's lack of experience. Because of the subsidence, my spine has thrown out of alignment, my lordotic curve was reduced, and my facet joints from L3 though S1 prematurely wore out. So, at two years post surgery, I was experiencing extreme, intractable pain. A rhizotomy procedure was performed by a pain management specialist to burn the sensory nerves to the facets, killing the pain. Two years later (October 2006), I had to have the same procedure repeated necause the facet joints' nerves had regenerated and the pain had returned. Likely prognosis: rhizotomy procedure every two years. My recommendation: let others be guinea pigs for disk replacement. Satisfaction rating for fusion is essentially equal to that for artificial disk.

From: Back2Zero - Texas, USA

After 10 + yrs of low back pain, I was diagnosed with DDD about 3 years ago. After consulting my Dr for options, he eluded to disc replacement. Being a new procedure with recent FDA approval, he felt it was the best option. Later, he retracted his statement for I had multiple level bulges on L3/L4, L4/L5 and a rupture on L5/S1. Aside from fusion, my options are limited as the FDA has not yet approved multilevel disc replacements.  I am an extremely active person. 19 + yrs of active duty service and proud to serve. Physically, I cannot run any longer, the pain is too severe. Of course, I am now considered a liability for I cannot perform 100%. My career is coming to an end just as I planned on staying longer. Additionally, with my wonderful health care plan, I don't feel Uncle Sam is willing to spend the $$$ to have the procedure completed. I value the insight from reading these posts. As with everyone with chronic low back pain, I wish to be pain free, play with my children, enhance my marriage and again say I am proud to serve in our nation's military. I don't want to be forced into retirement at 39 and spend my "good years" wasted sitting on the couch!

From: Richard - Alaska, USA

I just had fusion done the FDA hasn’t approved artificial disks for more than one level. I needed three. A hospital in Philadelphia is doing tests on up to three levels. They are willing to knock my fusion apart and insert disks. So if you have time to decide I would talk to them.

From: Jjeffm

I paid $50,000 out of my hard earned savings to have two Pro-discs implanted at the L5-S1 & L4-5 levels in my spine. I had this done due to a spine surgeon near me convincing me; ADR was the only type of spine surgery he believed in, as he thought fusions fail, causing more discs to need fusing. I fell for this line. But as his partner was doing ADR's that must have been his real motivation (although it was not his friend who I found to do the surgery). The surgeon I found was in NYC and he demanded I pay upfront the entire $50,000 to all the doctors and hospitals involved. He rushed me in to surgery several weeks prior to my original surgery date. The result was a disaster. I am so much worse now; I have incontinence, the pain in my legs are worse and constant. I need more pain meds than ever, cannot sit for long - it hurts to sit and write this now. I can never again live a normal life again, as I cannot find a doctor to help me.  I definitely would trade lack of movement from fusion for relief from pain. Statistically fusions only cause adjacent discs to fail in 30% of the patients.

From: Susan Pinkus – New Jersey, USA

Well, I had the Charite Disc implanted 12/05 and it was by far the worst decision I ever made! I am in more pain than ever and nothing I try to do helps, and believe me I have tried it all. I was told by my surgeon that this would be the best thing for me to do under my unique circumstances. I had a procedure done first in 03 called a nucleoplasty that was a big mistake.  Part of the device used broke off and was left behind in my disc space and tripled my pain instantly. After years of pain I had the disc removed and replaced at the L4/5 level in hopes of some relief, but it did not happen and the surgery and recovery was hell. Now I am hearing about a lot of problems with the Charite Disc and I have no idea what the future holds. I do know it was a mistake and I hope sharing this will stop someone else from making the same mistake. I am disabled: I hardly leave the house, I no longer sleep much and I take ry strong drugs for pain with little help.  It has truly ruined my life. I think doctors are pushing these procedures way too quickly and it’s all about money and when it’s over and you’re not doing well they could give a -----!

From: AA County – Maryland, USA

I went to Germany after waiting for two years for the FDA to approve it in the states. I had L4-L5,L5-S1 replaced. Surgery took about 2hrs. I woke up when I was being taken into the ICU unit for my post op. I knew immediately that it worked. I recommended this surgery to everyone I've met or talked to, but I suggest going out of the states to have it performed. They have been doing this procedure for close to 20 yrs. in Germany.

From: Alan Brightman – Pennsylvania, USA

In May 2006 I had ADR surgery with the Kineflex disc at my L5 S1. For 10yrs I waited for something like this. After researching all of the ADR out there the best one in my opinion is the Kineflex. The surgery was amazing and for the first time in 10yrs I am pain free. It was worth the 10yr wait and I feel blessed. I would recommend the Kineflex to anyone.

From: Laura – New York, USA

I got an artifical disc two years ago, after I had a lot of pain down my arm. I was very pleased with the recovery and the results. It was the C5-C6. That was four years ago. For about two years, I have been having trouble with the C6 - C7 disc. I have had all the shots in the neck and I am being sent back to see if surgery will be right thing again. When the doctor did the first surgery, he told me that he could only do one disk at a time but I would be back to see him. I have been very happy with results of my surgery and was able to go on living a good life.

From: Joyce Rigdon – Mississippi, USA

I had a total disc replacement L5-S1 back in 2003. I'm still in the studies with it and I'm doing real well. This was the best thing I did. I move freely and I have no more pain there.

From: Donna - New Jersey, USA

After 14 months of chronic pain, my husband had a c4/c5 Charite disk replacement in January 2006. Immediately after surgery he began the road back to normal, or so he thought. He exceeded their expectations in the hospital and was walking a lot within 5 days after surgery. However, as his activity increased, so did his pain. He is almost 6 months post op and is supposed to go back to work in a week and doesn't know whether he will be able to tolerate the pain. He is on Avinza 120 and Hydrocodone 10 and is still in pain. He does not recommend the disk replacement surgery. I don't know if this pain will get better with time, but we can hope. The doctor was very degrading on our last visit by telling my husband that he did not WANT to get better and that he had reached "full medical recovery" based on the "normal" recovery time. He did not want to hear that my husband was still in pain.

From: Gina – Oklahoma, USA

I Am 30 Years Old. I played Baseball In Washington D.C., And Semi-Pro Baseball In Mississippi. I Was Very Active Before All Of My Pain, That Was Caused By Years Of Sports And A Car Accident. I Have Just Had The Charite Disc Replacement Surgery At The L5, S1 Level. July 10th Was 4 Weeks For Me, And I Feel Fantastic. The Pain In My Hips And Legs Is Gone. I Did Get I Mild Case Of RSD (Nerve Damage) But IT So Far Was The Best Thing For Me. Good Luck.

From: Rich - Maryland, USA

On the 15th of March 2006 I had a double disc replacement.  The results are miraculous.

For 15+ years I lived with chronic back pain from 2 ruptured discs. The pain was all over the place - never stable. Pain levels averaged 8+ out of 10, I was constantly nauseous and not able to sleep more than 2-3 Hours at a time. I was always angry & irritable, which nearly broke my marriage up. Exercise and walking caused more pain. Getting dressed and shopping was a nightmare.

Now I am walking up to 4K daily.  Shopping is great but the greatest pleasure is that there is No Pain.  Medication has been cut from 10 to 2 tablets a day with the future of even having this amount reduced.

My future looks very bright with my back just aching in the range of -1 out of 10.

From: A very grateful recipient of the disc replacement and the surgeon that performed the operation - Brisbane, Australia

I have DDD - well, pretty much NO disc at L5/S1 and am strongly against a fusion. I am 33 and except for the past 4 years of pain, am a very active person. I've been waiting for the FDA to approve the ProDisc. My doctor then told me the Charite would be better for me since it offers more flexibility. This is an area I have not seen a comparison on anywhere in my wild searches. I'm up for anything that will work, but would like opinions/direction if one is "better" or more flexible than the other. I'm not sure if he's suggesting it for a reason other than having my active life-style in his best interest or not. Oh, and the fact that my insurance won't cover any is a whole other can of worms.

From: Kim – Pennsylvania, USA

I went from England to France to have 2 level ProDisc replacement under the physician who designed it. I chose this because the anterior approach made sense to me (not going around the spine) and I thought the disc looked like a good design. I am very pleased with the results; after 8 years of back pain and not a lot of fun out of life, I am back to tennis, bike and horse riding - and work! It is just over a year now. I know the English doctors are waiting for me to fall to bits, but I hope to disappoint them. The only discs that he has done that have migrated happened very soon after surgery with patients who felt too good and did too much too soon. He has been doing this surgery for 13 years or so. The lack of support after surgery was disappointing, but all in all, I'm glad I had the guts to do it. I still have some nerve problems and sometimes I wonder what I have done, but when I remember the fear of my back 'going' or not being able to plan outings, I am much happier now. You have to be prepared for a long haul, and work hard, but it was worth it for me. Good luck to you and thanks to the surgeons and patients who had the nerve to pioneer this type of surgery.

From: Jane Comber - England

ProDisc saved my life! I had been completely immobile and dependent on others for a year and a half. Two years since, I am still growing and learning from the experience. The recovery has been a real exercise in patience. In the first few months, I did a lot of walking, water aerobics, physical therapy, Qi Gong and Feldenkrais. All these helped tremendously in different ways. As I felt ready, I added swimming, weight training, bicycling, Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates. All along I received massage and acupuncture treatments to support my healing.

I still can't sit for any length of time without aggravating my back. Sitting through meals or in theaters is annoying, traveling by cars or planes really hurts, and I'll never have a full-time desk job again. I see that as a blessing: the more I move, the better I feel. I was not at all athletic prior to my injury, but now I need to be active to stay pain-free.

If you are frustrated with your recovery, please be patient and try to keep your body moving! ProDisc has changed my life and I recommend it to anyone with a degenerated disc who doesn't want to risk a fusion. Having spent 18 months on my floor, I now leave my house looking (and sometimes feeling!) like a regular person with no back issues. I'm so much better physically, and so grateful emotionally, that I'm embarking on a bodywork career myself.

From: Marie – Washington, USA

I really appreciate having this site to help with my decision. I'm scheduled for a Maverick replacement next Thursday for my L5/S1. I won't say I'm not scared, because I am, but I feel like this is the only option left to me. I'm 41, a high school teacher and an active woman who walks 2 miles a day rain or shine. I'm just not satisfied with the quality of my life just like so many of you on this site. I'm tired of my life being tied to my e-pill that beeps all day to remind me to take my pain killers...not enough to EVER be pain-free, but enough so that I can function. I'm part of an extension of the original Maverick trial to see how/if metal implants leach into the blood. I hope my results are half as good as some listed here!

From: Anonymous

I had a Maverick ADR on L4/L5 1 year ago. The results have been great, with a huge reduction in pain, a huge increase in mobility, and no more daily drugs. I have had some neurological complications from the surgery (numbness in my upper legs and foot.) This has been diagnosed as a form of RSD and I am hoping it will be gone in the next year or so.

I am a kick-boxer and wasn't able to do anything before the procedure. Now I am back in the gym and can kick above my own head height with almost no back pain. To me that is pretty amazing!

My advice is have realistic expectations about the surgery and you will be happy with the result. There are no miracle cures but this has come pretty close.

From: Bennet - Australia

I had the Kineflex disc replacement in January 2006 as well as several screws and a cage inserted. My doctors in South Africa (inventors of this disc) were outstanding. I am only 25 years old but the back pain I endured was immense and debilitating. This surgery has been an enormous success. The pain is almost completely gone and all the feeling has returned to my leg. My life has completely changed and improved. I would suggest this surgery to anyone who endures extreme back pain, but only the use of the Kineflex disc. I have heard and read too many negative-outcome stories about other discs, but nothing so far about the Kineflex disc. I hope its use is approved in North America soon as I am confident it will help many people.

From: Sarah Robinson – South Africa

The reason I chose to have artificial disc surgery in March 2005 was that my neurosurgeon talked me into it. He told me that the recovery time is shorter and that the disk would last me a lifetime and that he strongly recommended it. That was the worst mistake of my life was having the disk implanted. It has been 14 months since my surgery and I am totally disabled now and a prisoner in my house and to the bed and couch. The back pain and leg pain is intolerable. I can't walk, I can't sit, I can't stand. I used to have a normal life but did have pain due to DDD at L4,L5 but that pain was nothing to what I have now. Think long and hard before you decide to have this surgery. You might even end up with a doctor like I had, who now won’t even return my calls. Life is not worth it in this kind of pain.

From: Shannon – A Southern State, USA

I had a total disc replacement on May 13th, 2005.  My dr was very convincing and said I would be back to work and feeling great. Here it is, 11 months later, and my pain is totally out of control.  They started epidural shots this week and I’m waiting for relief - sure hope it comes soon. Sleeping with the heating pad to relieve pain gets really old fast. The pain goes down both legs and my lower back and my hip. I’m 45 and feel about 90. This may be for some people but not all.

From: Pammie – Illinois, USA

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Communicate with others about disc replacement surgery

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* Note: This page expresses the experiences and opinions of patients, not doctors. The Back-to-Back forum is provided because we think people often have very practical advice and insights to share that can benefit other patients who have similar back problems. This section has not been peer reviewed by our Medical Advisory Board, and is provided for your informational purposes only.

If you have questions about your specific condition or treatment approach, please go through this site to read peer-reviewed health information about spinal conditions, diagnosis and treatment options. The quickest way to locate information on the site is to use the “keyword search” located in the upper left hand corner of each page. Also, if you want to talk online with others who may be in a similar situation, please go to the Message Board.