Artificial disc surgery for the cervical spine
 

Has anyone had this surgery or been evaluated for it? Stability without fusion - sounds kind of interesting!

Hello diane54, can you elaborate on what type of surgery this is, or show a link? I know I have no idea what artificial disc surgery without fusion means. After having a 3 level ACDF with donor bone and plate I believe that is what has given me the stability I have today.
Thanks Bunz
Bunz

Hello diane54, can you elaborate on what type of surgery this is, or show a link? I know I have no idea what artificial disc surgery without fusion means. After having a 3 level ACDF with donor bone and plate I believe that is what has given me the stability I have today.
Thanks Bunz

Artificial disc replacement
 

This is a relatively new technique. I believe Medtronic has an artificial disc they are using in the cervical spine. Not sure if all insurances are covering it yet. This will eventually take the place of a fusion. The artifiicial disc gives stability and no need to fuse.

My pain management doc told me to wait on a fusion and just get the foraminotomy for now as fusions will be done less and less as this new technology develops.

Here is a link. Looks pretty exciting.

http://www.prestigedisc.com/

Bunz, I know a person who works with my hubby that had the artificial disc done with dr. Dang at hotel dieu. He had a one level disc replacement last November and is doing great. I asked dr. Jhawar about it before my surgery and he doesn't perform them. So there is still controversy in our area, but it is being done. My dr. thought the tried and true ACDF was my best route, but they are being done here in Ontario. Interesting to see how different drs vary their opinion, even in the same office.

Cathie

Artificial disc
 

It is so interesting to see how different doctors approach things. Thus, the need to shop around and get different opinions. I have found the "old school" doctors stick with fusions. If you find someone from 5-15 years out of medical school, they seem to be trained in the newer, less invasive procedures.

As for me, I have been told by one doc that she would do a posterior foraminotomy and the second NS said he would do a fusion, as the posterior foraminotomy would not relieve my neck pain.

So, Monday I am going to a third NS for a tie-breaker opinion. This doc does perform the artificial disc replacement and I may be a candidate for it. So I'll keep you posted after my appt on Monday.

Seems like there is a lot of new stuff on the horizon for spine surgery. Exciting stuff and much less invasive. Also the artificial disc at this time is only for one level surgery I believe.

Diane54, the Spine Group that did my two cervical fusions was the Indiana Spine Group. The first in North America to perform a cervical ADR. I had mine done in 2004 and 2006. But I was not a candidate at the time for an ADR. It really depends on precisely what you have going on. You need to have the surgeon to be upfront with you. Mine own NS was. He told me even with continued ROM and an ADR there could be problems with nerve pain or rather nerve roots. So, just make sure they explain everything to you. Having said that much, they have made great strides with this. Good luck! :)

[QUOTE=diane54;757730]This is a relatively new technique. I believe Medtronic has an artificial disc they are using in the cervical spine. Not sure if all insurances are covering it yet. This will eventually take the place of a fusion. The artifiicial disc gives stability and no need to fuse.

My pain management doc told me to wait on a fusion and just get the foraminotomy for now as fusions will be done less and less as this new technology develops.

Here is a link. Looks pretty exciting.




Thanks for the link Diane, it does sound interesting and promising

I have a Bryan Artificial disc in my cervical spine and it is just wonderful. The disc itself is like a very small rollerblade wheel that sits between to metal shells. It has a central spindle that allows for movement. I ruptured the two discs beneath it 19 years ago and the two levels were fused which put pressure on the remaining discs and was no doubt a factor in the level above rupturing.
It has made a big difference to my life. The surgery was horrible with a major retraction of my throat and I couldn't swallow for a long time after without food going up instead of down and it ached terribly. But it is so much better now than it was. For me to have fused another level would have been wrong but at the same time I couldn't function through the pain of the 3/4 disc having ruptured. I can hear the artificial disc creak when I move but it is wonderful technology. If you are giving the option to have one instead of a fusion
the benefit outweighs the discomfort of the surgery. It maintains natural movement and function. That is my opinion and I have had mine for 9 years now.

hi, i am completely new. I need info regarding the ADR for cervical disc.
 

Hi. I live in New Brunswick Canada, and desperately need info regarding Ard. I joined this support group, but don't really know if I am doing this the right way. I read this post and I can't tell you how happy I am to see someone from Canada. My disc has sequestrated at C6-7 and so far I have been offered only fusion which I do not want, and also been told by another NS that nothing could be done. There are many horrible aspects to my story, but I now need to find out how to get adr. The last NS I saw claims that the adr technology is being dumped, and that it is not available in New Brunswick, Canada. He claims any positive studies are being promoted only by the disc manufacturers, and no independent studies. Hard to believe. I would volunteer for a study, but don't know how to find who and where there is one available in Canada. Thank-you and apologies for anything out of order as this is my very first ever reach out.