Proceed with caution
Hi Yvette,
I had a single level Charite at L5-S1 that I'm considering converting to a fusion. My facet joints were painful before the disc replacement and have gotten much worse after disc replacement. I should never have been considered as a candidate for disc replacement as a cyst was on one of my facet joints BEFORE the disc replacement. It was unfortunately missed by the doctors I saw. Those of us with painful facet joints or other contraindications to disc replacement don't have much of a choice other than fusion. I feel that one should never go ahead with a disc replacement when their are contraindications. Otherwise, you could go through the surgery, the painful recovery and not be any better. (like me)
Dan
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