I could be incorrect, but I think a member here by the user name striker ( sure hope I got that right ) is also looking into a ADR.

* If I am wrong, please someone correct this post for me

I do know that the member who is looking into this posted such and the thread he posted had a lot of information and some links to more information posted in it.

I assume you can find this thread through a search here.

Sorry I am still pretty new here and don't know my way around the boards really well yet...

I think that is who Humpty was talking about. You can type in ADR in the search box at the top of this page and find lots of info there. Good luck.

extensive reading about ADR. The lure of being able to move normally after getting your discs fixed is very enticing, but there have been a few folks on here who went through the expense and agony of an ADR to have it fail and have to revert to a fusion anyway. If they work, I suppose they are grand, but I think I've only seen one person on here who was happy with theirs. Could be the others just don't come by to post any more.

Linda

Hi I am 37 yrs old and just had ALIF single level L4.L5. I also had the option of fusion or disc. After alot of research I found out that many surgeons don't trust the polypropelene in the artifiical disc to last intact after several years whereas the fusion is tried and tested. On a personal note I have a colleague who had the artifcial disc and is in constant pain. I am only 7 days out from fusion and my back pain is so much better ! I am troubled by new sciatica though and hope its just post op root irritation.
Hope my experience helps
Best of luck
Clio

I in hopes of having a child in the future wanted to opt and had my hopes for the Disc Replacement. I saw a well known Dr at UCSF in San Francisco and he said he didn't recommend the replacement pretty much because of what Clio said. If something went wrong or didn't work it is not so simple to remove and chances of being paralyzed increase. Now that was my case for a L5-S1 level, he said that my area of the back was too far gone and didn't want to take any chances. The fusion has had so much more experience and long-term data and higher percent of success rate. I was disappointed however I didn't want to take any chances. Good Luck and do whatever you and your doctor see is best based on your individual condition.

It's good that you're looking into the ADR - it'll help you make a decision that's right for you.

A few years ago, I asked my pain specialist about ADR, and he said it could only be done for one level - how correct that is now, I don't know.

I used to work with a girl who had it done after she'd had an accident, and it didn't work for her.

Hope you can find a good surgeon in either France or Germany who can help you.

Trish

Hi

3 weeks ago I had ADR and it has worked brilliantly....no more back pain like before! Obviously, I am still recovering and if I do too much in the day, I get dull aching around the whole back area, which is relieved with painkillers. Before, I was in agony, so I know the op has worked.

Here, in the UK, there are several doctors that specialise in ADR (My doctor is EDITED) and he is absolutely brilliant. You do need to make sure you find someone who has a strong interest in this type of surgery and I know in France and Germany they have been performing this type of operation for about 17 yrs, whereas in the UK, it is only about 8 yrs.

I chose this surgery as I also have a herniated disc at L3 L4 level (it is causing me no pain though - had a discogram to prove it)and with spinal fusion, this would have put more strain on this area. With ADR, it is the same as having a normal disc, so no pressure on the surround discs.

I would recommend it to anyone, especially knowing several people who have had fusion and are now limited on movement and feel stiff!

Good luck in whatever you choose!

Post Edited by Authority Member haglandc
Names of medical professionals not listed with Spine Health is not authorized

Thanks so much, I've been debating for months and months. I have to go outside of the states and pay cash for the 3 level surgery. At this point I do trust my neurosurgeon. I am selling my car, and our toys to make it happen. I am looking into using the doctor that invented the Pro-Disc, I found him by Facebook. Too funny. Thanks for all of the input.
K

Hi Kendrak

That's a good positive post from sgm6670 and this will give you confidence to go ahead with the ADR. It'd be great to have no pain and flexibility.

Trish

Before you decide, please read also the stories where ADR failed. In principle ADR is great when it work out well, but if it failed (more then 20%) you have a very big problem. The problem is that there very few doctors who are able and are willing to remove the ADR and replace it for a fusion, since it is a dangerous surgery. I had one ADR and had to be removed after one year due to severe pain. Further I know some other people who had the same problem.
I dont want to scare you, just warn you. Please think twice!!

Renos.

Hi Kendra - I also was highly keen on the ADR - particularly since my surgeon helped develop on of the systems. However - I wasn't a candidate because of the damage on more than one level. It's my understanding that this procedure is only being done where one level is involved. Perhaps this is different in Europe. Goood luck!

Jackie

Hi kendra - have you been able to estimate the costs of the surgery going abroad? I'd be interested in comparing the costs of the 3 level ADR, versus the savings of having the insurnace cover the less attractive fusion here in the states.

In parts of Europe the ADR is even not allowed, due to the risks of this treatment.

i am looking at ADR too..in fact i have just had an MRI i get the results on the 26 nov then i see the ADR consultant on the 22 dec i can pm you his name but he is in the uk so i don't know if that would be of any use to you.one thing i have been told is ,the ADR operation is the last resort and it is an unknown quantity ..what i mean by this is should it fail there is no back up and it take a surgeon with nerves of steel to go back in and try to sort replacement //replacement disc out,its not an easy task and is deemed a life threatening operation ..i have done my home work and i will only have it done if there is no other option .they say that the replacement should last a life time ..but as an engineer i know that even the best parts wear out ,the disc is a 2 part alloy shell and a Polly insert of some sort {there are various makes but they all do the same thing} and metal against plastic will wear i don't care what the sales people say about there product it will fail.i think if you are in your 60 and fit then i would go for it but as i am only 43 i will need some convincing that its the right thing for me to do .at the moment i am getting b y on large amounts of Oxycontin .its a massive operation and if i WERE YOU I WOULD NOT RUSH INTO IT
STRAKER

three level lumbar disc replacement l-3 to s-1 i have never been netter and no problems.

As you read previously, my operation went text book perfect. I did masses of research before ungoing this operation and spoke to lots of people here in the UK who had had the operation and they were all pleased with the outcome. With any surgery there are risks involved and this has to be a last resort, but so does any other spinal op.

ADR has been around in the UK for about 8 yrs with a very good success rate and Europe for about 17 yrs. I chose this surgery because I also have problems at L4 L5 level with a bulging disc and fusion would have put immense pressure on this disc and I would be looking at another operation in the very near future to fix it. With ADR you are having a new disc in, so no pressure on the surrounding discs!

Good luck in whatever you choose, but ADR was a huge success for me and I am so happy that I am now pain free (4 weeks post op!!!).

I have checked prices.In Germany; Stenum is about $45,000 for 3 level and Dr. B is about $50,000. Dr. M (who invented Pro-disc) in France is $111,000. I am leaning towards Dr. B in Straubing. He has done 4,000 ADR's and most of them are multi-level.

Thanks for all of your responses. It is obviously weighing heavy on my mind.

Wow the prices have gone up substantially in the 2 or 3 years since I have been aware of ADR's! The dollar vs. euro exchange also does not help.

If the ticking time bombs that are my lumbar discs one day finally give out, I too will be looking to go overseas and just paying cash. I would probably choose one of the famous dr.s you mention as well.

Kendra, have you seen any of the other message boards that are specific to ADR's?

What about nucleus material replacement procedures? Are you a candidate for something like that? When I consulted about ADR with Dr. DLM in Santa Monica, CA one of his partners was doing these injectable fillers into the discs.

In post 7, it is mentioned that an ADR doesn't put pressure on the discs above and below, however that statement should be refined/clarified.

An ADR is not a shock absorber like our natural discs. It will transmit weight and shock just like a fusion. It is the movement of a natural disc that it mimics.

Straker, I follow what you're saying about the poly material wearing.
As an engineer, what is your opinion on the ADR's that are 2 piece metal-to-metal contact? (Maverick)