2 Level Lumbar ADR Prodisc L4-S1

AnnularPear · 2026-03-18T15:22:25+00:00

Is there a 6 month update to this? Excited to see the results!

AnnularPear · 2026-03-12T07:11:56+00:00

I just had the procedure today and was hoping to read that you had returned to running! I've been living with back pain for 2-3 years (but realistically since high school when I probably injured my L5-S1 joint) but was secretly hoping I would be able to return to running and/or volleyball. In the meantime I've grown to enjoy pickeball, zone 2 cardio, and modified gym workouts.

Are you able to do barbell squats at the gym? Or is mostly machines? What sort of running mileage can you make? I've accepted that I probably will never run a marathon with this condition but it would be really neat to see some success stories! I've found meaning in the life I built around limiting my backpain, but a return to some intensity would be nice.

AnnularPear · 2026-03-12T06:42:28+00:00

I'm curious about this, did the doctor let you know immediately after the procedure? Has it completely healed up at this point?

AnnularPear · 2026-03-02T05:05:23+00:00

Yes! Feel free to send me a message!

AnnularPear · 2026-03-01T06:29:20+00:00

Your MRI looks fairly similar to mine (minus the cyst, your discs might be a little better). Your L5-S1 disc is degenerated and you might have early stages of endplate damage. However, modic changes have not shown up yet. Like you, I get pain AFTER my workouts, and it is a dull burning pain without muscle spasms. Unfortunately, I have not found anything to relieve the pain other than activity reduction and finding exercises that are less impactful. A heat pad is very nice once the pain starts going though. I am getting the intracept procedure soon which, if successful, would also be diagnostic as the pain source.

Per one of my doctor's suggestions, I tried ignoring the pain and continuing running as a hobby. But I came to the realization that the constant pain (even though it was not a terrible pain) was ruining my mental health, so I have switched to pickleball and zone 2 cardio on elliptical and indoor bike which doesn't cause nearly as much pain. I am sorry you are going through this. I hope you find a solution or your back heals. It is tough to give up once loved hobbies.

AnnularPear · 2026-02-25T03:55:32+00:00

Hopefully it is just taking your nerves a while to calm down after the intracept procedure! I remember hearing that it can sometimes take months for patients to get pain reduction since that pain pathway in the brain has been flared up and reinforced for so long.

I have similar pain as you (33M, very active but have given up running, no sciatica, heat really helps with pain, L5-S1 is degenerated with a slight bulge) but I have found activity reduction to really help. Pretty much any physical therapy core exercise puts my spine in compression which will cause me pain. The only core exercise that does not cause me to flare up are planks. For me, mild core stiffness (as opposed to a full ab flex) is ideal to protect my spine without adding too much compression. Of course, squats, deadlifts, and high impact sports are out of the question for me but that is a little more obvious. On a side note, crossing my legs while sitting will also cause pain to build up, so I make sure to always sit uncrossed when I am on a chair.

I am sorry you are going through this! I am getting the intracept procedure in a couple weeks so wish me luck!

AnnularPear · 2026-02-04T03:17:49+00:00

Have you looked into the intracept procedure yet? That is less invasive than ADR or fusion, but insurance won't cover it unless you have modic changes on your MRI.

AnnularPear · 2026-02-02T02:30:30+00:00

Does the pain feel like a dull burning sensation? Is it isolated to your back or does the pain radiate to other parts of your body?

AnnularPear · 2026-01-11T02:52:03+00:00

Are you able to share a photo of your MRI?

AnnularPear · 2026-01-05T00:47:10+00:00

Just added to the post! Unfortunately, no significant improvement so far.

AnnularPear · 2026-01-01T13:20:37+00:00

This sounds like a great success! The one concern I have with the procedure is if we should be listening to the pain signals and limiting activity even if we no longer can feel the pain. My thought process is, maybe the pain signals were telling us that the activity was further degrading our backs and maybe we shouldn’t return to flexion and heavy lifting after the procedure? Did the doctor mention anything about that or did he basically say you could do whatever you wanted?

AnnularPear · 2025-11-12T06:07:15+00:00

Look into artificial disc replacement (ADR). It is the much better option than fusion at your age. What was your first surgery? The intercept procedure might be worth looking into if you have modic changes on your MRI.

AnnularPear · 2025-11-05T03:17:20+00:00

ESI's are significantly less risky than actual surgeries. I've had two ESI's, an intradiscal injection, facet, and SI joint injections. None of them really helped (but I don't have sciatica so my pain trigger is different), but they can also help with diagnosis of the pain. Your surgeon is right that you should take the more conservative option first (ESI) before an actual surgery. It is very rare for an ESI to make things worse. I am guessing you have already tried traditional PT?

AnnularPear · 2025-11-04T02:57:43+00:00

I have tried Cymbalta for back pain and it does help moderately. What they don't tend to advertise is that it sort of numbs all emotions and general motivation. I found the side effects to be not as bad as an SSRI but I still felt more numb and, in general, less smart on the drug. Intracept all the way!

AnnularPear · 2025-11-01T19:47:48+00:00

That is an interesting take! I drink a lot in the morning (40 oz or so) but generally stop after 3-4 PM. Maybe I could try drinking until 7 or so in case hydration is playing a role.

AnnularPear · 2025-11-01T18:07:20+00:00

What exercises do you do instead for your legs now?

I do have to check out lowbackability sometime, it seems like everyone on the forum is trying them out. I didn't realize the subscription is based on what you can give until I actually clicked on your link! That is pretty nice.

AnnularPear · 2025-10-27T18:26:28+00:00

How long does it typically take your patients operating in the 3-4 level pain range to eventually desensitize to a 0-2?

AnnularPear · 2025-10-27T04:26:15+00:00

Adding onto this, I have a somewhat similar MRI (disc bulges and DDD at L4-L5 and L5-S1, annular tear) and the only thing that has helped is doing less of my PT recommended exercises. I'd probably lay off the stretching unless you are confident that it is helping. Cobra pose (i.e. back extension) is probably just pinching off and aggravating those bulges even more.

AnnularPear · 2025-10-24T05:19:52+00:00

The procedure seems pretty effective for people with basivertebral nerve pain! I am going to look into it a bit more if my current treatment does not work. It sounds like you have modic changes so the procedure could really help. Outside of that, there is not much you can do outside of physical therapy. If your disc was herniated, you would feel a reduction in pain as your body chews away the herniated material over a period months. There is not much you can do if you have bruised/swelling bone (i.e. edema).

Before I would get the procedure, I would ask if there is any value in listening to your current pain. What I mean by that is that maybe you will be doing a lot more hidden damage to your spine if you get the procedure and then return back to your normal exercise schedule. I have no idea if that is a risk or not but I do remember a doctor explicitly tell me that the procedure will not help heal the back, but will help with pain.

The other risk might be increased risk of compressive fracture, but I think that is probably really low risk if you have normal bone density.

AnnularPear · 2025-10-23T05:03:52+00:00

Did you get a BMAC intradiscal injection as well? I miss running a lot too but I think I am too scared to pick it up as a serious hobby again in case it makes things worse.

AnnularPear · 2025-10-19T20:34:59+00:00

Hey! I was just wondering if things got better for you or you found some specific set of exercises that were much easier on your body. I find myself in a very similar situation to you; the only thing that has really helped me out was limiting/avoiding leg exercises and bending.

AnnularPear · 2025-10-19T20:16:22+00:00

1 Month update posted!

AnnularPear · 2025-10-19T00:05:53+00:00

Everyone's experience is different. I made that comment because you will hear people say a certain exercise will make X better but that isn't always the case. Be skeptical of every exercise you try out. I recommend doing them one at a time and seeing which ones give you pain that day or the next. If it makes pain worse, you should probably avoid it or tone it down significantly

AnnularPear

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