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

[DAbel]

Laser Spine Inst stay away from! I am talking about the one In Tampa!! They did a "surgery" on my husband which didn't do anything for him. Nuerosugeon looked at his CT scan and said they didn't really do anything. Don't do fusion either. My husband did that 1999 and has caused problems since. Look into artficial disk replacment (ADR) great success rate!

[duncan612]

I have disc problems in the same locations with numbness in my left hand consistently and sometimes up the arm. I am an avid runner - do several half marathons a year - and this has horribly impacted that. I have had 4 cortisone shots over the past 3 years and they seem to help for a short while. Nothing I do, exercize, yoga, traction, cortisone shots, oral steroids, chiropractic care, etc. have helped for anything other than short term. The pain is always there and sometimes it's unbearable. I'm now going to have the surgery. Btw- I'm 38 and have been dealing with this and it's gotten progressively worse over the past 10 years. Fingers crossed that the surgery wl help.

[drmcg]

I live in New Jersey and looking for neurosurgeon nearby who performs artificial disc replacement. Do you know of any names. Good luck with your recovery.

[steve1684]

Dr. Youkilis at St.  Luke's Hospital in St. Louis did my c6-c7 disc replacement. There also is Dr. Kovalski at the Orthopaedic Center of Southern IL, in Mt. Vernon, IL who did it on a coworker of mine. We both have had good results.

Good luck

[Karinberutti]

I am facing the same thing.  Can you tell me who your surgeon was in St. Louis ?

[Aoteroa]

How many of you have been recommended to take up swimming to improve your back or neck problem?  Of those who have been told this, how many have followed this advice?  

I personally can't recommend more the value of swimming for helping strength your back or neck and aid in the recovery from injury.

I have disc bulges in both my neck and lower back.  Swimming has been the only activity that has had a long term benefit.