Facets are giving up.

Alrighty guys. It's been a while, 1.63 years since my L4/5 M6 surgery with Nicholas Boeree, may his soul rest in peace.

So it seems the issue with tightness in my back has been my facets all along. I opted for a Facet Block a few months ago. That stopped working after 2 weeks. I then got another one, which, again, lasted only 2 weeks.

A month ago I opted for a facet denervation. I thought this would do the job, but again, only worked for 2 weeks. I'll be getting a booster denervation next month, but i'm already looking at surgical options here. It's getting unbearable.

I wake up with my facets flared up, EVERY MORNING. My lower back muscles are constantly tight and I was forced to buy a Precor Stretch Trainer, which I now have at home and use constantly.

I asked Dr. Jose Joy, an orthopedic surgeon that fused my mom's back 6 weeks ago. He said i'm looking at a fusion in the future.

But then again, I REFUSE TO FUSE. I'm looking at alternatives, of which I've found 2:

1. The Glyder Facet Resurfacing by Zyga with Dr. Pimenta (http://www.zygatech.com/index.php)
2. Zyre Facet Replacement with Bertagnoli (http://www.dr-bertagnoli.com/facet-replacement.html)

I've seen other companies that offered solution but seemed a lot more intrusive and involved a whole bunch of bone cutting. Those companies have dissolved, like Archus Orthopedics.

Anyways, if anyone has any experience with any of these devices, or has any additional ones you might want to add to the reading list, please let me know.

As to why the facets are failing, it could be the M6 allowing too much motion in that segment. I can't imagine a prodisc or any other ADR given how unconstrained the motion is. At least the M6 is constrained. But anyways, I believe ADR with a facet replacement is the absolute total solutions to lower back problems. My disc hasn't given me any issues whatsoever except for this. Used in conjuction with a treatment like facet replacement, i'd be happy moving forward with my life.

I know absolutely nothing about how these devices work. The glyder seems interesting but i'm not sure how it would attach to the facet.

Here's a pic of the Zyga's Glyder:



Here's a pic of Zyre's replacement:




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