[energyofhope]

I doubt that this phenomenon has much to do with who the surgeon is. I was operated by different (top notch) surgeons. I strongly suspect it has to do with the patient anatomy of the facet joints going into the surgery. As our organic disks deteriorate, they often cause facet joint deterioration as well. I was considered a good candidate for ADR in my cervical and lumbar spine at the time of the insertion despite having some facet hypertrophy. Young, active, motivated to get better, etc.

It is clear that ADR accelerated facet joint deterioration greatly. I don't have any other joint problems in my body, and otherwise, I am very healthy, so we can't blame this problem on something systemic.

I suspect, it is better to do traditional fusion in cases like mine from the start because autofusion of ADR often leads to "incorrect" fusion with lots of overgrowth that causes huge problems in people like me. And, if ADR fuses soon after anyway, then there is no motion preservation argument that can be made. Besides, it is very possible to find a competent surgeon in the U.S. (where I reside) and have fusion covered by your insurance, instead of spending a fortune and traveling in pain abroad.

I think, ADR will become TJR (total joint replacement) in the future. When that day comes, it will be a much better solution (when they have a proven and reliable total joint replacement solution that will take care of both the disk and the facet joints)

But, hindsight is always 20/20... Anyway, I need to figure out at this point if my Prodiscs in the neck and in the back need to be taken out as part any future revision(s) and who is the best doctor for this...