8 years into the M6-L.

I truly can't believe how wonderful this device has been to me. It's taken work and patience getting through its issues, but it's made me who I am today and i'm very much thankful for that. Here's what I mean:

1. As soon as I started developing a more solid core muscle base and stronger legs, I started working out more aggressively and with higher weights.
2. I deleted all single mode exercises from my regimen. I only do compound exercises.
3. I started squatting and deadlifting at 85% of my 1 rep maximum. My entire body is now much stronger.
4. I haven't felt a single dose of pain from my back.
5. I feel and (I think) I look amazing.

Take this message for what it is. It took a ton of fucking work to get to where I am. If you're unwilling or unable to do this, please reconsider artificial disc replacement in general. If you're into fitness and self-improvement, this is the way to go.

Here's a picture of my progress. Keep in mind, I eat less of the bad stuff and more of the good stuff. This means less inflammation all around. I got into trouble with my knees and fixed it with more stable shoes, more strength exercise and better eating. Less meats and processed foods, more fruits and vegetables.

Much Needed Update - 6 Years Into the M6-L

Hey guys! Thank you all for all the comments and e-mails. I've tried to respond to everyone; I've even had a few skype calls with prospective patients. You may all be wondering how I'm doing, so here's a quick update:

I'm doing GREAT. No issues whatsoever. I've managed to control my facet pain by working on core exercises, with the added extra benefit of having a nice 6-pack, so cheers to looking good naked! As always, I stay away from long runs, squats, jumping, and any impact sports. When my back feels stiff, I do a bit of stretching and move on with my day.

A word of warning to prospective patients though: despite me being happy with the surgery, some of you might not be as fit as I am. I'd consider this a warning: you might end up with facet issues.

Cheers everyone!

For those just starting out with back issues.

Sometimes I stare into the wall, drift off, and think to myself, how would I have done things differently? Don't get me wrong, I'm completely happy with my Spinal Kinetics M6-L Lumbar Artificial Disc. I'm referring to all the things that happened prior to me getting my first symptom. All those days lifting weights, riding motorcycles, never really caring about my back, thinking of myself as invincible. Ok maybe I didn't think of myself as invincible, but I definitely didn't give a shit about my spine. In light of this, here's a few pointers for those barely starting out with symptoms:

1. Get yourself an inversion table. Even if you don't have any back pain, this works wonders! Decompresses the spine and helps the discs breath life (blood flow).
2. Get yourself some chamomile tea. Drink 2 cups a day, more if you can. Helps with inflammation.

General tips:

1. Avoid heavy lifting that involves the lower back, especially squats with heavy weights. I can do squats nowadays, but only carrying 40 lbs on each arm and NOT on a bar on my back. The squat bar immediately starts hurting.
2. Roll out of bed, literally.
3. Work your abs! I highly recommend P90X3 Elite extreme ab workout. Abs are essential to feeling great.

Any questions? Email me or comment below.

Good luck friends.

4 Years In

I'll make this short:

1. I'm 100% able to do this exercise without any repercussions.
2. I drink chamomile tea twice a day every day. This keeps my lower back muscles in check. No need to anti-inflammatories. 
3. No alien feeling in my body.
4. No running and no soccer. This upsets my lower back.
5. I haven't done any x-rays or check ups as I don't feel the need to do them.

I'm doing great.

As for the people that have emailed me, thank you for taking the time to do so. It brightens my day to read that thank me for writing about this ordeal. I am more than willing to help you guys through this, so don't be shy. Email me at mike.spineblog@gmail.com 

3.5 Year Update - Facets and Lower Back

Greetings everyone. It's nice to still see people reading the blog. I've seen many comments pop up and they are all people in similar situations looking for a door to open.

First, i'll update you on my surgery: there are no updates. The disc is intact, same position, same height, same everything.

Second, i'll update you on my facets: plenty to talk about here. The disc has permitted motion beyond what the facets usually had, and these have had a level of inflammation that depend on my level of activity. Before surgery, I used to have leg pain. That is gone. Now I have lower back pain directly related to the facets. This inflammation causes my lower back muscles to contract and stay stiff, particularly in the mornings. Regular motion will loosen them up. Massages are a must. I've managed to control it with naproxen (aleve) and chamomile tea every day. Impact sports are a big NO NO. I've had terrible episodes where soccer led me to the hospital to get steroid injections on my facets. If you avoid this, you'll do just fine. I've stopped doing abs and this has definitely impacted my core's ability to hold up. I've started again this week as i've proven that his definitely helps. Alcohol is also a bid inflammatory agent. A night of drinking will lead to a day or two of pain.

As for my general lifestyle, the above paragraph isn't my daily life and thoughts. It doesn't consume me like it used to before surgery. I live a fairly normal life. I've just learned to avoid certain things and integrated certain remedies into my daily life. I'll be looking for surgical facet remedies to pop up in the next 10 years. Meanwhile, I can manage.

This should be a serious consideration for anyone considering artificial disc replacement.

Still Alive!

To those wondering, yes i'm still alive. And i'm doing absolutely great! I've started an ab routine a few months ago and i've toned up incredibly. I also get weekly massages focused on my lower back. Massages are a Godsend with the girl that does my lower back. Strong arms and hands are a must. With this i've managed to not even remember I have an operation. No pain, nothing! All I needed was muscle support and a chill job. Below is a pic of my progress. I have no problems at the gym, I avoid squats and anything that puts pressure on my lower back. But given my new strenght, I can lift more without feeling lower back pain. This includes 50lb dumbbells on each arm for biceps, etc. I'm still being very very careful though. The other day I had to stop doing shoulders as I felt it was too much for my back.

Cheers everyone!

Talked with Pimenta's Office

Greetings Everyone.

Just a quick update. I've been attending the gym without a hitch. Pain is minimal. Body is very well sculptured. I believed abs has helped TONS. My abs are strong as hell and very defined. Do this people, it helps! I also get massages on my lower back every 3 days. Works wonders!

I talked to someone over at Dr. Pimenta's office in Brazil. Very nice people! I asked about the Glyder and they said they don't do this anymore due to it being a trial in Germany. But they had very good results given the right indications. They asked about my condition and specifically asked in steroid injections helped aleviate 100% of the pain. I said they did for 3 weeks. They said PERFECT, we highly recommend the Zyga Glyder as it is minimally invasive and has had good results. They told me to get in contact with them but couldn't do anything further. I told them about my M6 and he said very good, this should work very well with the M6.

Cheers everyone!

Over 2 years now.

It's been over 2 years since my surgery. Disc itself is intact, surgery was a success. I changed jobs now, work at a neat office as manager, so my physical stress levels have diminished. My facets are doing better, but still need work. I'm looking to contact Dr. Pimenta for the Zyga Glyder facet resurfacing but haven't been successful so far. Any help would do wonders!

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:

Mr. Boeree has passed away...

I can't believe this. Mr. Boeree was involved in a motorcycle accident and has passed away.

I feel honored to have had his wonderful work improve my life.

There's just nothing more I can say. I have no words.