[ngcles]

Hi Carlton,

I had a C3/C4 discectomy (removal of the disc between vertebrae) and laninectomy (removal of bone over-growth surrounding the sciatic nerve root), installation of a dynamic stabilisation device (big rubber band around C3 & C4 that restricts movement bone-on-bone), but no replacement "artificial disc" way back in 2006. What remained of that disc was in five fragments before the procedure.

20 years of on-off pain then 3 years of near constant high level pain before the procedure.

Haven't looked back and have been 99.999% pain free ever since. I was in less pain an hour after the operation than the hour before the operation and haven't looked back. My surgeon was a neurosurgeon, Dr Mark Davies Kogarah Hospital in Sydney -- one of Australia's most accomplished neuro-surgeons.

My next-door (next farm-gate) neighbour had the same procedure around the same time in QLD -- different surgeon, but included the installation of a carbon-fibre replacement disc. The procedure was carried out by an orthopaedic surgeon. He has less pain nowadays but still in significant pain and on high-levels of pain relief.

One major piece of advice (backed by the opinions of three physiotherapists I know): if you are going to have that op, get it done by a neuro-surgeon, not an orthopaedic surgeon. They use much more refined tools whereas Orthopaedic surgeons use the basic tools of carpentry. Higher chances of success + swifter recovery.

When I had mine done, a guy in the next room had his done by an orthopaedic surgeon three days before me. I went in on Monday and was out Friday afternoon. On the day I left, he was still using a walking-frame doing rehab. I walked out the door with my suitcase in my hand.

Lots of people see varying results. Mine was fantastic, your mileage may vary.

Best,

L.