Has anyone had cervical disc replacement surgery?

[themom]

Hi.  I've been diagnosed with multilevel degenerative disc disease c-4 through c-7.  I'm now 43 years old.  I've been waiting 3 years for disc replacement surgery to be a little more mainstream treatment.  I'm interested in hearing anything about this procedure for the C-spine.  I'm considered a surgery candidtate for c-5/6 and c-6/7 levels.  Thanks, Jolene

[Texan0521]

I would love to know who did your surgery. I am facing spinal fusion and don't want it.  I am hoping to find a good surgeon to do ADR.  Thank you.

[Wcd1]

Paul A. Anderson, MD (University of Wisconsin, Madison). Dr. Anderson is a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Wisconsin and a member of SAS-International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. He has a professional interest in complex cervical spine disorders and has research focusing on the development of an artificial cervical disc. His additional research interests include the advancement of spinal fixation implants and disc regeneration. Throughout his career, Dr. Anderson has published articles in professional journals about several topics, including a comparison of the short-term results between total joint arthroplasty and cervical spine decompression and fusion. Dr. Anderson earned his medical degree at Wayne State University Medical School, where he also completed his residency. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.
Hyun Bae, MD (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles). Dr. Bae is the co-director of the spine fellowship program at the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive surgery, motion preservation technology, non-fusion technologies and artificial disc replacement. Dr. Bae was among the first surgeons to use multi-level artificial disc replacements for both the lumbar and cervical spine. His research is also on the cutting edge of using growth factor tissue engineering for intervertebral discs. Dr. Bae earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and he completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. His additional training includes a spine fellowship at Case Western Reserve Hospital in Cleveland.

Scott Blumenthal, MD (Texas Back Institute, Plano). Dr. Blumenthal is a co-director of Texas Back Institute's Center for Disc Replacement, along with Richard Guyer, MD, and Jack Zigler, MD. He played a key role in the country's first trial of the Charite artificial disc and was among the first surgeons to perform a total disc replacement in the United States. He recently published research on the two- and five-year follow-up results of the total disc replacements he performed, and he lectures widely on both lumbar and cervical disc replacement procedures. In addition to his practice, Dr. Blumenthal also serves as a spine consultant for the Dallas Mavericks and is a clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. Dr. Blumenthal earned his medical degree at Northwestern Medical School in Evanston, Ill., and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas. His additional training includes a trauma fellowship at Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Rolando Garcia, Jr., MD (Orthopedic Care Center). Dr. Garcia is a member of the SAS-International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery and the North American Spine Society. He has participated in several studies about total disc replacement surgery, including the FDA Charite trial and a comparison of the clinical outcomes for lumbar artificial disc replacement and fusion procedures. In addition to his journal articles, he has authored a book chapter on the history of the artificial disc. Dr. Garcia earned his medical degree at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at North Carolina Spine Center.

Jeff L. Garr, MD (Orthopedic Physician Associates, Seattle). Dr. Garr performs several procedures, including disc replacement, X-Stop, lateral lumbar interbody fusion and anterior, posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. He is a member of many professional organizations, including the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He is also a volunteer medical provider for local high school athletic teams. Dr. Garr earned his medical degree at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and completed his residency at the University of Washington in Seattle. His additional training includes a fellowship with the Spine Care Medical Group in Daley City, Calif.

Jeffrey A. Goldstein, MD (Seaport Orthopaedic Associates, New York City). Dr. Goldstein is the director of the spine service and the associate director of spine fellowship at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. He has an expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques and his current research involves clinical trials for lumbar and cervical disc replacements. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Goldstein serves on the editorial board for The Spine Journal and The Journal of the Spine Arthroplasty Society. Throughout his career, Dr. Goldstein has instructed several other surgeons on disc replacement techniques and served in an advisory capacity to news media outlets. He is a member of several professional societies, including the North American Spine Society and Society of Nucleus Arthroplasty. Dr. Goldstein earned his medical degree from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn and completed his training in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. He also completed a fellowship in spinal disorders at Johns Hopkins University Medical Institute in Baltimore.

James Rappaport, MD (Sierra Regional Spine Institute, Reno). Dr. Rappaport was the principle investigator for the Kineflex Lumbar and Cervical Disc Replacement clinical trials at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center in Reno, and he has authored a professional article based on the results. Dr. Rappaport is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of several other professional societies. He is also a team physician for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association and has been a spine surgeon representative to the U.S. Department of Defense. Throughout his career, Dr. Rappaport has given several presentations on minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. Dr. Rappaport earned his medical degree at the University of California School of Medicine in San Francisco, where he also completed his residency in orthopedic surgery. His additional training includes spine surgery fellowships at the Texas Institute for Spinal Disorders in Houston and at London (England) Clinic.

Rick Sasso, MD (Indiana Spine Group, Indianapolis). Dr. Sasso is a founding member and president of the Indiana Spine Group. He is also the co-medical director of the St. Vincent Spine Center in Indianapolis and the chief of spine surgery at Indiana University School of Medicine. His research interests include cervical and lumbar arthroplasty, cervical spine biomechanics and intraoperative spinal image navigation. Throughout his career, Dr. Sasso has published articles in professional journals on several topics, including his research into the Bryan Artificial Disc.. His additional training includes fellowships in spine surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago, Baylor University in Houston and AO Spine in Switzerland.

Saqib Siddiqui, MD (The Spine Center, Houston). Dr. Siddiqui is the president and CEO of The Spine Center. He has a professional interest in minimally invasive solutions for spine surgery and disc replacement.

Jim Youssef, MD (Spine Colorado, Durango). Dr. Youssef has a professional interest in lumbar artificial disc replacement, minimally invasive procedures and scoliosis surgery. He earned his medical degree at the University of California in Irvine and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. His additional training includes a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of California in Sacramento.

[vrob]

I feel for  you as well....and will pray for your return to being ABLE to do things again!! I would definitely NOT go for any more fusion-now days the ADRs are doing so much to help you keep your mobility. I just did a little research and found out that there are FINALLY places here in the US that can and will do multi-level replacements. 4 years ago, I needed 3 levels replaced and had to go to Germany to have it done. (All they would do here in the US was fusion at that time.) I had 3 M-6 artificial discs put in and can honestly say it was the best (although the scariest) decision I ever made. I regained/retained the movement in my neck so I can still do the things I love to do-especially down hill skiing! I have not heard of the place you mentioned, unless it is the one in Texas I read about online? I wish you ALL the best in your quest for recovery.....God Bless!!

[CKB777]

Hi! My name is Christy! I'm so very sorry to hear Everyone's pain.. I too live it each and every single day, all day.. I've had a cervical fusion (titanium -plate with screws- with cadaver) back on December 4, 2006; I've been told ever since, that I'm still in need of 4 more levels to be fused.. One very well known surgeon even referred (off the record of course) to go out of our USA to get a multi-level cervical fusion done. That was several years ago. Since, I've been doing much research to find out which is the absolute best method for me to get to be "able" again.. so far, I've found that the ADR (Artificial Disc Replacement) is the best. I don't understand which "Artificial Disc" is best to go with; that's still to be determined. It's so very hard to believe that ALL of this horrifying pain, ALL from helping my dear cousin (who has chosen not to speak to me since this injury-we were so close too, all of our lives) find her a good inversion table, since I, myself, had a great one and lived on same for well over 5yrs back then.. Injured on a Sunday, my only day off, was a Paralegal (Family Law) for 13yrs til this injury.. Now, I'm a complete shadow of myself.. Actually, ever since the injury.  Wasn't able to eat for 7 mos, except through a straw and/or extremely soft foods (mashed potatoes, ice cream, yogurt), told by hospital I had complete body whiplash and everything was "locked".. No physical therapy, nothing but pain meds that I truly hate to take, however, are the only things that help me get out of bed.. It's been over 7 1/2 yrs since this injury and it hasn't gotten any easier.. I still fight so hard to keep my Faith.. I'm VERY thankful that it didn't paralyze me.. the store's inversion table that they put together wrong out on display, and owner continues to lie and won't help me get surgeries I need-nothing... God knows, I want to be ABLE again, so VERY VERY badly.. ABLE to do things I Love, even the things I hate.. To be ABLE again.. After reading Everyone's posts.. I'm still as torn as I was before.. Very few have good results, and so many live in such horrible disabling pain.. I FEEL FOR ALL OF YOU!!! MY HEART TRULY BREAKS when I'm reading your stories of your lives.. My heart and my prayers go out to each and every single one of you!!!!!! Prayers for healing, prayers for you all to be able to get your lives back again!!!!!! I TRULY get it!!!!!!! I'm SO VERY SORRY for what you ALL have to live with.. So many don't really get it.. They don't understand what they don't/can't see.. Even though it's (pains') all over our faces; and we may smile through said horrific pain, that is, til we can no  longer bare it; God knows it's always there.. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!! I have a question: Has anyone out there heard of the Artificial Disc Replacement Center, PLEASE let me know.. They are wanting to do an ADR on C5-C6; says it will allow other discs in my neck to "flex" and straighten up out of my spinal cord.. That or it's 4 more cervical fusions, plus more and more fusions over the course of my life, til there's nothing left to fuse...I've put off doing anything for so long, that I know it's real close to "having" to do something.. I know so many of you say, "Not to get surgery, ever".. though what would happen IF one doesn't get it when so terribly needs it/disc(s) out of their spinal cord..? I don't think that would be very good either.. To just let it go, also seems like a no win.. I hope and pray we will ALL get relief from this life consuming nightmare!!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 GOD BLESS!!!!!!! <3 <3 <3 <3

[rcd71]

did you get this resolved?  I am working on an appeal right now for an anterior cervical c5-c7 and Aetna is denying the procedure. They awhile reviewing and their medical director spoke to my surgeon and still upheld the denial saying we had to resubmit as an appeal. Reading your experience really shook me up. My email is ***@****. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated

[Kristi8035]

Hi All,

I'm age 34 and I too am suffering with shooting sharp pain down my left arm.  The numbness in thumb and index fingers and some in my left forearm as well.  The pain I feel everyday is at times unbearable and it never stops.  The medications I take ease it to a more tolerable level but it's still maddening to deal with.  The pain first started after a visit to the gym.  It would come and go and I just thought maybe I pulled a muscle in my back or something may be wrong with my rotator cuff.  I finally after months of dealing with this awful pain just woke up one morning and it felt like my arm from shoulder down was on fire and I was unable to move it hurt so bad and the pain has never left since.  My husband took me to the hospital that morning and they did an x-ray and said they need to refer me to an orthopedic surgeon because  it may be my rotator cuff..  That surgeon had a copy of the x-rays from the hospital that sent me to him and the report showed bulging in my spine and arthritis in several different spots but nothing wrong with my shoulder where I am feeling the pain come from that shoots down my arm. I was put on nerve, pain killer, anti-inflammatory, and muscle relaxer medications that just seemed to ease it but not fix it.  His idea was to come back in three weeks and hopefully the meds would have calmed the nerve down that was being pinched.  Well after the second week I called the doctor and said look this isn't helping something else needs to be done because I can't live like this anymore.  That week he ordered an MRI.  The third week I went in for his findings from the MRI.  He saw that the bulging in several different levels of the spine was the cause of my discomfort and believed if medicine hadn't helped so far I needed to start seriously thinking about surgery so he suggested I see a spine surgeon.  I asked to be referred to a place in the US called the South Eastern Spine Institute.  I did some research and knew the doctor I found there at that institute was one of the best.  I had an appointment the very next day. Upon his examination he knew exactly what was wrong.  He spent a good 45 minutes with me where as the doctor before seemed to be bumbling through his findings, never showed me the MRI and just wasn't as thorough.  The spine surgeon told me he is very conservative when it comes to surgery and only about 10% of the people he sees actually needs it.  So when he told me he strongly recommended surgery because of the herniated disc in C6/C7 was pinching the nerve and the longer it stays that way the more likely permanent damage is being done to the nerve I knew I needed to go through with it.  He said I could try the shots and give it another ten days and sometimes that works but his professional advice was I had a 1 in 4 chance the shots would work but I had a 3 out of 4 chance it won't and then  asked me if I wanted to chance it as long as it has been for me with this pain. Could I stand to go another two weeks like this and I said no. It had already been months.  The doctor then went over my options for surgery.  I go Friday, which is tomorrow, to a place called East Cooper Medical Center to have a Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion for C6/C7.  It was suppose to be my doctor's day off but he understood the importance of doing it soon so l come out of this with little to no nerve damage.  I believe he's very compassionate and understanding of how awful painful this is for me and others like me going through this.  It can drive you crazy.  And he knew I had already suffered too long.  He could see it in my face and body language during the visit.  To finally understand what it is and to know what needs to be done is a huge relief to me.  Now I just have to face the next hurtle and I hope to come out better for it in the end.  He said the relief from pain I will have once he releases the pressure off that nerve is instantaneous and I can't wait. I know there's no guarantee with surgery but I feel it's the best shot for myself and my condition to going back to being normal again.  The operation takes about 45 minutes and I will stay overnight and be released next day if all is well.  He said in about two weeks, because his procedure through the front of the neck is so noninvasive, I should be able to drive again.  And in six weeks I should be fine to return to work. In six months I won't hardly be able to see the cut.  Because he cuts a small 2 inch incision in the natural crease of the neck and pushes everything to the side the down time is short  I feel I'm doing the right thing with the right doctor.  Wish me luck and when I can I will post the outcome.