Who does two artificial disc replacements at once?

[tatergirl53]

I have to have operation on my neck.  I have crushed discs at C4/5, 5/6, and 6/7 and refuse to do the fusion with the plates.  I am 55 and would be in good health if not for this.  I do not plan on having a stiff unmoveable neck for however long I live after this.  Of course, lucky me, I live in BFE Alaska, and they say no multiple ADRs here.  I will travel for this, but really don't want to go to Germany, although my daughter who was there when her husband was in the military says medical care there is exemplar compared to the States.  She had two complicated surgeries there and was quite impressed.  I am so scared now to do anything, with being scared of moving wrong and being paralyzed, and no one will tell me what I can or can't do.  The doctor who wants to do this fusion thing has not called me back to answer questions, so as you could probably guess, he won't be doing my operation!  Any ideas?

thanks.  Kathy

[2m8toLdy]

I had a multiple-disc replacement surgery in November 2009. For about 8 wks I did fine. Then everything went down hill. I suffer the same pain as before and now have limited mobility in my right shoulder. I go to PT 3 times a week. It's not helping much. Anyway, do lots of research before you have your surgery. Good luck and my prayers are with you.

[LLWB]

I posted to you on another post with a piggyback to you. I am unaware of anyone doing more than one artificial disc replacement. It is not accepted at this time. I would be VERY careful in having this done. What your surgeon is recommending is the accepted standard of care.

[tatergirl53]

Thank you so much!  The doctor who was going to operate told me he was going to fuse the vertebrae because FDA had not approved more than one replacement.  This makes me sure I do not want to have him to do the surgery because if he doesn't know this, then he is not too up on things.  Thanks so much for the info!!  What brand or type did you get?  
Thanks!
Kathy

[Riverjen]

I have had three disc replacements in my neck at once in 2005. I got immediate relief. I am in North carolina. I saw Dr Dennis Bullard in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is supposedly one of the best in the US. If you are interested in anymore info on him let me know

Thanks
Jennifer

[tatergirl53]

Thanks for the help!  I wonder if he does two replacements at a time.  I read somewhere that they do make exceptions about doing more than one ard at a time.
Thanks!

[CMcCraryNY]

Dear Kathy, if you dont mind traveling I can recomend you contact a Thomas T. Lee M.D. F.A.C.S. in Terrytown New York. He has some of the best ratings for Neurosurgery in the Atlantic North East. I am getting ready to have C6\C7 removed and replaced, scary stuff no doubt. I am 36 and it scares me too.  I have total faith in  Dr Lee and in God, I just wonder if he left his rolex in the last time. Depending on your insurance and its coverage maybe Dr Lee can be of help to you. He can be reached @ 914-631-9207. He is also the Asst Clinical Professor at Mt Sinai Medical School, so he knows his stuff and great bedside manner.