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What's your experience with Vertiflex Superion Implant?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 23 1:05pm | Replies (335)Comment receiving replies
I am 8 weeks post surgery, and wanted to post my experience with a vertiflex implant between L4 and 5. I am 54 years old (which is far too young for this), but prior to surgery had received 6 steroid injections that would provide complete relief from my spinal stenosis, but relief would only last for only 3 to 4 weeks. At its worst prior to surgery, I was still able to walk, bend and lift, but with limitations. I did have episodes where I was not able to do normal activities (for me), and stability and strength were waning fast. I must admit upfront that I live life full-throttle, and want to continue doing so for as long as possible. I had two doctors that recommended the veriflex implant, and one who did not. The one who did not, had never worked with the vertiflex, and did not know much about it truthfully, but feared that it could negatively affect biomechanics. His preference would have been to perform a laminectomy. I chose the vertiflex based on the fact that it was removable/reversible, and a laminectomy is not. If the vertiflex did not perform well, I am being told that it can be removed, and I would not be any worse off than I was prior to the surgery (minus the down time from recovery). However, after 9 weeks I am happy to report that the original pain and discomfort that radiated down the back of my butt and legs is gone, 100%. However, there are residual problems with pain in other areas. I have more discomfort in lower areas of my back than I had previously, and I do not feel like I have full strength and mobility restored yet. I hope that this will improve in coming weeks or months as things continue to adjust and heal to the new alignment of my spine. I am still trying to exercise and build strength since I am only two weeks off of the 6 week post-surgery restrictions. I cannot help but feel that when you make an adjustment at one location, the rest of your spine will disagree, but hopefully everything quiets down eventually. However, the surgeon that did not agree with me having the procedure may have a point that such a device may impact other areas, possibly permanently. Time will tell. I would have to say that I am very much improved from having the vertiflex implant, and can only hope that I get many years of relief. The strangest residual complication from the procedure is the ringing in my ears. It started about a week after the surgery, and has not gone away since. The doctor that did the procedure has no clue why, or how to treat it. It is not terrible, but it is noticeable. If it continues, I may have to have someone look into that further. I don't want to get into the mode of simply chasing one problem to the next.
My personal advice for anyone considering this procedure, RESULTS WILL VARY! It all depends on the severity of your stenosis, your age, your activity level, your expected outcome, your weight, other health issues, etc. etc, etc. It is not a cure-all for your spine. I have other arthritis issues in my spine that it may have aggravated from the procedure. But it did fix the one relatively new (2-3 years) pain and problems from my stenosis at that one location. And as of right now, it was worth it. I hope the other, more minor, complications and pains subside, but to be honest, they are more minor than the pain and limitations that were relieved by the vertiflex. Good luck, and hope this helps in your decisions, and one way or the other, I hope you all get feeling better, and stay active.
Replies to "I am 8 weeks post surgery, and wanted to post my experience with a vertiflex implant..."
It's so good to know the pain and discomfort that radiated down the back of your butt and legs is gone, 100% after 9 weeks. I'm 10 days out from having had 2 verified spacers placed in my lower back due to spinal stenosis. My right leg feels SO MUCH BETTER, no pain at all in my butt, and no pain running down the back of my leg. My left leg is a different story. Because of the pain in my butt and running down the side and around my pelvis makes it difficult for me to stand up straight or walk more than 1 minute. I will see my spine doctor at the end of the week for my 1st post op review. I'm praying the pain ends. I'm not taking anything for the pain, as soon as I sit down it instantly goes away.
I am discussing the Vertiflex procedure with my doctor now. How are you doing 2 months postop?
I have not posted since June 9th, and wanted to give a follow-up on my vertiflex procedure. If you would like to know know more about my condition and history, you can view my previous post from June 9th. However, now that I am 7 months post implant, I am sorry to report that the improvements initially reported did not last for me. After about 3 months I was starting to get the same old problems with the pain running down my butt and legs on both sides. The recurrence of the symptoms was gradual, and by August I was begging for another steroid injection to get me through some very demanding and physical personal and work tasks during the fall. The steroid injection only lasted about 6-8 weeks, and the pain came back with a vengeance. I have been trying to take a prescribed anti-inflammatory medication to keep it under control (with some mild relief), but now I am noticing that my blood pressure has increased significantly (possibly due to the medication), and once I quit taking the medication my blood pressure drops back down to near normal for me. However, the pain is getting very severe.
After speaking with the Doctor who did the procedure, we both concluded that the vertiflex was just not doing enough for my condition, and that I should have it removed at the same time that I should get a laminectomy. I have an appointment scheduled with the surgeon to do that procedure in 2 weeks.
A few other side notes: 1. The ringing in my ears that started post-surgery is still there, and very concerning to me. I have not tried to get it diagnosed or corrected, but will wait and see after I get my back figured out. 2. Much of the other residual pain that I described in my previous post did go away, but I still do have some minor pain in my lower back that was not there prior to the veriflex procedure. 3. Along with this new pain in my lower back is something else unexpected, and that is my lower back "pops" all the time when moving. Prior to the procedure, my lower back never popped, and several chiropractors over the years were amazed that they could never get my back to pop. Now it does all the time, even with simple movements. Not sure if this is good or bad, but it was a noticeable change since the vertiflex implant.
Good luck to all of you, and I hope that your choices lead to the best possible results. I am still working to get there, but my fingers are crossed!
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Hello @alan2112 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for joining this discussion and sharing your experience with your vertiflex implant. Hearing from others is so important as people make their own decisions so thanks for sharing!
What other milestones are you looking to as you continue to recover?