Apologies for my long absence. In the hospital getting my "Dutch Vertebra" installed

**Doc B** · 02-02-2012, 22:55

Hello Gang!

I hope this finds each of you very well. My apologies for being incommunicado. Many on here whom I have grown close to have known about my back situation and the incredible pain I have had for over 3 years. I underwent an experimental surgery not yet FDA approved in clinical trials. I had a vertebra REMOVED and got a titanium spinal disk (To go with my new Dutch Buckles!) implanted L4 and L5. I awoke from surgery with NO SPINAL PAIN or sciatica! I am now ready to hang again and will try to be around more often again.

Best!
Robby

**TFC Rick** · 02-02-2012, 23:00

Sweet man!! I just had a fusion myself and am waiting in the penalty box for the word to be able to come out and play again. I bet you've got some awesome X-ray pics!!

Welcome back!!

**tncamper** · 02-02-2012, 23:01

Wow! I didn't even know that was possible.(guess that's why its experimental) I wish you a speady recovery.

**Doc B** · 02-02-2012, 23:14

Hey Thanks Guys,

It was really wild for sure. They went in through my right SIDE of all places. I was walking on my on within 12 hours and actually walked some steps. It was all a really good and amazing experience. The device will be called "XL-TDR" when it comes out with full FDA approval in a few years. (Extreme Lateral - Total Disk Replacement) It is a shame it is not coming out sooner as I know so many people who could really benefit from it. If you have heard of the XLIF fusion technique, it is designed by the same company and actually uses pretty much the same tooling to install the disk. They basically designed a fully actuating disk the same size as the XLIF fusion block. Instead of the fusion block, they just slide in the titanium vertebra and hammer it home. Literally the only real pain I have had is normal surgical site pain which is NOTHING close to what I have endured for the past 3 years. I know a few in our Hammock tribe are in need of a fusion or similar procedure. The clinical trials for the XL-TDR are 80% complete, so there are still some slots out there if you have any loved ones needing it.

Happy Hanging,
Robby

**dragon360** · 02-02-2012, 23:24

Great to hear! Glad you're back!

**TFC Rick** · 02-02-2012, 23:24

I had an XLIF!! That is too cool!

**Doc B** · 02-02-2012, 23:52

Originally Posted by TFC Rick

I had an XLIF!! That is too cool!

Awesome Rick! So you know what the whole procedure was like. The only difference is that instead of the XLIF block, they put in the XL-TDR. They even use all of the same tooling as was used in your procedure. The thinking was that Nuvasive had so much success with XLIF, Why not develop a working titanium disk (I still think they subcontract Dutch to make them, LOL!) about the same size to implant with the same equipment. The ONLY major difference is post op care. Remember how they told you NOT to take ibuprofen for 6 months at least so your XLIF would fuse? We HAVE to take huge amounts of ibuprofen for 6 months so the XL-TDR will NOT fuse.

The coolest thing, after showing my neurosurgery team the type of hammocking we do... I was approved to use my hammock again after 15 DAYS!

Way Cool!
Robby

Hammock Camping... Neurosurgeon approved!

**DivaB** · 02-02-2012, 23:59

Awesome report! I wish you a speedy recovery

**Fronkey** · 02-03-2012, 00:13

Woohoo! Back to the woods for you. Glad it all went well dude.

Fronkey

**2new2hang** · 02-03-2012, 00:59

Originally Posted by Doc B

Awesome Rick! So you know what the whole procedure was like. The only difference is that instead of the XLIF block, they put in the XL-TDR. They even use all of the same tooling as was used in your procedure. The thinking was that Nuvasive had so much success with XLIF, Why not develop a working titanium disk (I still think they subcontract Dutch to make them, LOL!) about the same size to implant with the same equipment. The ONLY major difference is post op care. Remember how they told you NOT to take ibuprofen for 6 months at least so your XLIF would fuse? We HAVE to take huge amounts of ibuprofen for 6 months so the XL-TDR will NOT fuse.

The coolest thing, after showing my neurosurgery team the type of hammocking we do... I was approved to use my hammock again after 15 DAYS!

Way Cool!
Robby

Hammock Camping... Neurosurgeon approved!

Hey Doc, glad to hear you are recovering so well. Great to know you'll also be back in the hammocking saddle so quickly. Just out of curiosity, how are they having you doing large ibuprofen doses without worrying about your stomach?