Julie Madison, WI
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I suffered chronic back pain for over five years, going back and forth to several different doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors, and nothing seemed to help. I basically thought that my back was out of alignment. I was about 22-years old when this all started, and being that young and active, going out on my WaveRunnerŽ, working out, horseback riding - all those things that someone at that age should be doing, I wasn't able to do anymore. I was in constant pain. And it was very frustrating. I fell into a deep depression and was very angry a lot. The back pain put a lot of limitations on me at work as well. I couldn't sit longer than five minutes at a time; and I was constantly getting up to walk around the building, which took time out of my work schedule. They ended up moving my computer to a standing location because I could no longer sit for more than five minutes.
The pain just seemed to be getting worse. No matter who I saw, no one was able to do anything for me. I constantly took pain pills just to relieve some of the pain, so I could just function on a day-to-day basis. It got to the point where I just couldn't handle it anymore. I could hardly do anything but go to work and come home and lay down with an ice pack. Several doctors told me that running was the worst thing for my back, for a herniated disc, and that I would never be able to run again or participate in aerobics. Aerobics and running were two things that I really enjoyed, and I was told I could no longer do them.
When I met with Dr. Zdeblick and he told me all about INFUSEŽ Bone Graft with the LT-CAGEŽ Device, he expressed that I'd be able to do everything that I used to do before I had the back problems. I decided to participate in the clinical trials for INFUSEŽ Bone Graft with the LT-CAGEŽ Device because I wouldn't have to go through two different surgeries, just one. The second surgery would have involved taking a bone graft from my hip. This gave me a lot of peace of mind - knowing that I wouldn't have to have the bone graft taken from my hip. I had spoken to several people who had actually had a bone graft surgery done, and they were still experiencing pain from it - more than the back surgery itself. And knowing that the INFUSEŽ Bone Graft with the LT-CAGEŽ Device would eliminate that, I was all for it.
Since receiving the INFUSEŽ Bone Graft with the LT-CAGEŽ Device, my day-to-day functions have become much easier. There's no pain getting out of bed. There's no pain getting dressed. I can work out again the way I used to, and to run daily, which I couldn't do at all before the treatment. My emotional well being has also completely changed: I'm a much happier person, I smile and laugh a lot more, and I'm not in constant pain where I'm frowning or crying all the time. It's changed my life completely. It couldn't be better than where I'm at right now. I never experience any back pain at all. I think it's the best thing that I've ever done, out of all the options that I had for my back pain.
In fact, I made running a marathon a goal after my surgery. For me, it was something that I wanted to strive for, after being told over and over again that I would never run again. Being told that if I received the INFUSEŽ Bone Graft/LT-CAGEŽ Device, I'd be able to do everything that I used to do, I set a goal for myself, that if I went through this procedure, that I would run a marathon. I'm extremely pleased with my results. Never in my life did I think that I would ever run a marathon, and to run 26.2 miles and not experience any back pain at all, was incredible.
It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of the INFUSEŽ Bone Graft/LT-CAGEŽ Lumbar Tapered Fusion Device with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.
After reading this please keep in mind that all treatment and outcome results are specific to the individual patient. Results may vary. Complications, such as infection, blood loss, or nerve damage are some of the potential adverse risks of spinal surgery. Please consult your physician for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical results, and other important medical information.
