Artificial Discs vs. Spinal Fusion for Pain Relief - Patients' Advice: Part I

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Patients share advice about artificial discs and spine fusion surgery
In this section, patients share their insights about how they made the decision to have an artificial disc replacement or spine fusion surgery.

To everyone still in pain...You may have arachnoiditis! I've had 4 surgeries and the last being a fusion at L4/L5. I was still in pain. I fially had an MRI and in the report it stated "Arachnoiditis". It's difficult to diagnose and the radiologist needs to look for it. At least I know what's wrong and why I have the pain & numbness. Please Google this disorder as it takes too long to explain it. There is no cure and it might progress.

From: Carol

I would truly recommend that persons considering the current rigid stabilization cervical/lumbar fusion wait. As a patient in 2003, I was never told that the rigid fusion would cause the adjoining endpoints disk to degenerate more quickly. This should have been disclosed to me.

The first fusion failed with a broken screw. It now just hangs in my front neck. The Second "posterior" 3 level fusion (Feb 05) started degenerating next level 1.5 yrs later (not the 10 yrs I was told) Now 3rd fusion Nov 06 from C3 thru T2 . Surgeon accidentally used stainless Songer cable containing Nickel of which I have 3 plus allergy. The allergy was on my hospital band. They refuse to take the wire out at this point. The saga continues. I am not a candidate for the new disks because of failed fusions. Please WAIT there is better technology right now! I don't want any more people to go through what I have. Good Luck and God Bless.

From: Becky – Ohio, USA

I am a very active Army Soldier with no prior back issues until I was involved in a Motor Vehicle accident (rear-ended in 2003). Severe neck and back pain the following morning, which continued for some time. I tried one year of conservativel treatment, with little to no relief. As a last resort I had an S1-L5 fusion in 2004. Continued physical therapy post-op, with great results andthought that my troubles were over. NOT AT ALL! 2006: The leg pain came back and my lower back (at hardware site) is killing me. Back to the doctors I go only to find out that the fusion never took and the hardware, that was never designed to hold me forever, is now failing. We are now considering disk replacement at the same site (S1-L5) pending 3 LV diskogram to check the status of L3-L4.

From: Juan

1968 Comp Fracture of C6 7 T1 1982 Fusion of C6-7 with a calf bone. It is rock solid today. Would I do this again? Damn right! I woke from surgery painless and from it till today painless.

1987/88 I had L4-5 SI Disks removed. 2 years later, pain but tolerable as long as I CYCLE and don’t be a pussy about it. I ride at a sub-competitive level. 1990 I broke L1-2-3-4-5-S1-S2. I reduced narcotics by 2 adjuncts toradol Shots (I do myself). Doing my regime is not as much as the monogram. 3200mg/d of Gabapentinto reduces dependency on high doses of narcotics.

Now I face a fusion set of 4 levels in C2-3-4-5-6. 6-7 is done. Will I break the barrier? I hope to. Artificial disks all the way. Yes, I know they are only approved at 1 level, but I am being handed to the neuro who does this. My current neuro is surprised that I would risk this, but if you know I am a man that has led the world on other fronts…Someone must be first to try. I’ve been here and I know the risks are scary. Trust me. Even in 1982 it was rocket science. Today is very different. Believe in your neuro-God and yourself and FFS exercise after surgery and make it part of your life forever. Pain for so many years is HELL. Fitness is the key to a painless post surgery.

From: StormCloud Fire – British Columbia, Canada

I am 23 days post-op fusion/pins with rods on either side of my spine from T3 - L4 (13 level). I am 43 years old and had a progressive scoliosis which was diagnosed at 14 years of age. The 2 curves in the thoracic and lumbar area were initially 11 degrees. At 41 years of age they were 16 degrees. After 15 years of working as an RN in ER and ICU lifting patients, then purchasing a "fixer-upper" house in South Florida as a single parent and working very hard physically, especially after Hurricane Charley took off the roof, blew down every tree in the yard, etc. I was really pushing my spine by lifting heavy ladders, paint cans, planting heavy trees, etc. Anyway, after noticing frequent heart palpitations, chest pain, trouble breathing, gross deformity of my spine where my clothing no longer fit properly, I went to the orthopedist and both curves had progressed to 40 degrees and weve obviously affecting my life. I could no longer vacuum, lift a milk carton, or open a heavy door without excruciating pain that would last for hours. Needless to say, I had to give up patient care as an R.N. I had the surgery which was very extensive, was in the hospital 10 days, required 5 units blood, multiple IV bags of potassium and magnesium, ileus (paralyzed bowel) which finally resolved after 3 weeks - unable to pass gas, vomited everything I ate, lost 10 pounds - now 119 pounds 5'5". In conclusion, at this time I am in much less pain than before the surgery. As far as I'm concerned, the surgery has been a great success, even at 3 weeks post-op. My back is straight, and while I know that my mobility will always be limited, I am happy with the results.

From: Lisa - Florida, USA

I had the Charite artificial disc put into my back at the L5/S1 level. For 3 or 4 months after the operation, I felt better than I had in years. The shooting pain down my leg was gone and I had decent mobility. I thought my days of pain were over. Now, 15 months after the surgery, I'm feeling strong pain at the L5/S1 joint again. It's not as bad as it was before the surgery and there is no leg pain. I'm not sure I'll ever feel 100% again. I'm not sure the surgery was worth it. I dread a repeat surgery/recovery. I also dread the idea of a life of non-stop pain or fear of pain. I'm only 28. I don't think I would recommend this procedure to someone that has other options.

From: Josh – Arizona, USA

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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.

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