Has anyone had this? My mom is going to have back surgery soon, but her doctors want to know today if this is her choice of surgeries. It is considered experimental. The recovery time is quicker than the bone fusion sugery(her other option), but she's scared because it's experimental. Any insight would be great. TIA

By Karen~moderator on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 07:51 am:

I've had two back surgeries for ruptured disks, no fusions, never had a disk replacement. It makes me wonder if it would be an option for me *if* I ever needed another one. Have you done a google search on it? I don't personally know anyone who's had that type of surgery, but I can tell you, it would be something *I* would look into. I know fusions have a longer recovery period than the surgery I had, and mine was no picnic.

By Daddyof3 on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 07:53 am:

I have done some research through the doctors here at Ft. Polk and it sounds really promising. I too am going to have it done within the next couple of years. Its only experimental here in the States. The procedure has been being performed in Europe for a few years now. I am opting replacement, just have to wait for the Army to catch up. lol

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 10:21 am:

I am very reluctant to recommend "experimental" surgery for anyone. It means just what it says - they are experimenting on your mother. However, if Mike has done research, I would suggest asking him where you can find the info, so that you and your mom are fully informed.

As a legal secretary in a firm which sues doctors when things go wrong, I have learned that there are a couple of critical questions to ask, and the most important one is:

How many times have you performed this procedure?

The second questions is - if this procedure does not give me the relief we expect, would I then be able to have it more or less "undone" and have the spinal fusion procedure?

The doctor will go over all the risks with her, but if possible, I'd suggest both you and your mom meet with the doctor to discuss the procedure, the risks, and so on.

Finally, when you mom signs the consent for the procedure, it will probably include a line that says the procedure will be performed by Dr. so and so or whomever he designates. I always cross out the "designates" section and add "ONLY" after the doctor's name. When I agree to surgery by a specific doctor, I don't want a resident doing anything but the simple stuff (open, close, and that kind of stuff). When it comes to the actual surgery for my condition, I want "my doctor" to be the person who is doing it.

By Kolbysmom on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 10:34 am:

Thanks Ginny for the advice. I some researching and have really found no down side to the surgery. They use the same material as they in knee and hip replacements. I will pass on the advice for the consent forms. She has already left for her appointment, I'll let you know how it goes.

By Cybermommyx4 on Tuesday, February 10, 2004 - 12:10 pm:

Please let us know how this goes - and keep us posted in the months to come. I have also had two back surgeries, and am now disabled because of the complications. I am a candidate for a fusion as well, but the insurance company does not want to pay for it because it only has a 50% chance of making me any better at all, and of course a chance of making it worse. I would be very interested in replacement surgery as it becomes more widespread...