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

[penjada]

Have you had you surgery yet?  If so, how are feeling now?

[Plumberjohn]

Hi You sound so nonchalant about fusion to the cervical vertebrae and you say c6-c7 is next on your list. I would like to ask a few general questions and hope others have a view. I am a fit 64 year old that have looked after himself carefully all my life, never had any contact sport such as football that does cause neck problems especially in the c6-c7 joint. Have heard that a prolapse in a footballers neck is very common simply because of the terrible strain they put their necks under. Notwithstanding the fact that we all suffer wear and tear and some of us have arthritic degenerative conditions that lead to the problems, though mine is just wear and tear, One thing has struck me in that no one has said so far that they have a prolapsed disc due to an accident. As for me as I have said I'm 64 and was 61 at the time and stationary in a middle lane when a vehicle after hitting another literally took off and came at me through the air, I remember seeing it in slow motion, coming at me from the side hitting my van and shoving it sideways in to the left hand lane, had a seat belt on but was thrown viciously left and right hitting my head on the door post and bending my neck like a banana and ouch did that hurt. Within a couple of days the headache was still bad the neck hurt and now pins and needles in my left arm. Before the accident there was no indication that I had neck problems at all and I was working normally now it has settled to some extent but was very painful in the first 6 months and within 24 months I have learnt to readjust what I do but can not do what plumbers are expected to do and am relegated to the office where I get in the way. An MRI shows that there is a prolapsed disc at c6-c7 to the left pressing on the nerve root to the left arm, which causes the normal pins and needles and worse if I sleep the wrong way and pinch the nerve for a long time. The surgeon has suggested a decompression which I suspect is what you have said is your next procedure. However no one here has mentioned the unmentionable. My own doctor had a knee to knee bit of advice which he gave me and told me of his earlier works as a doctor in that surgeons are not gods and in fact he didn't seem to trust them much following his experience in Stoke Mandeville Hospital that specialises in spine surgery here in the UK when he was given the task of following up past similar operations that went wrong. He made a point that people in the same situation that are walking talking and doing all what is expected of them albeit with pain ans sleepless nights and they then regret it when it all goes wrong. What happens patients are sent to outlaying establishments that look after them. His bottom line was live with the pain or risk having a machine breath for you for the rest of your life.
Now kizzz675 what is it? a mere de-compression procedure as my surgeon says or is it one of the most dangerous procedures that a surgeon can perform?
I would like to hear from others if they have sustained a prolapsed disc because of an accident or undue pressure to the head or neck. And what are the risks?

I had a double hernia operation a couple of years ago so it is not a matter of me being afraid of an operation its the fear that I wake up and cant move my fingers and toes and there is a tube stuck in my throat and the words of my doctor ringing in my ears.
despite of all that I don't think I can stand the pain that comes with this disc problem and am on the verge of going against my GP's advice.

Any advise out there?

[kittyluv1]

Concerns regarding cervical spine surgery are common due to the need to be operating so close to the spinal cord.  However, most cervical spine surgeries done by board certified neurosurgeons have very successful outcomes with minimal complications.

I had anterior cervical fusion C4-C7 done six months ago for multi-level degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis.  Prior to surgery I had neck and shoulder pain, numbness and tingling in my arms and difficulty doing daily activities.  After surgery most of my preop symptoms were totally relieved and I no longer have any significant problems and have resumed all of my prior activities without limitations or restrictions.

Postop recovery for me was not difficult and only minimal incisional pain and sore throat (due to the intubation tube and manipulation of the tissues) which resolved within two weeks.

Deciding on surgery to correct a prolapsed disc is a very personal decision and needs to be evaluated based on the severity of your current symptoms and how your activity level may be affected.  If there is nerve root involvement (the prolapsed disc is causing pressure on the spinal nerve root), surgery may be the only option to obtain optimal nerve recovery.  The longer the nerve is compromised the greater the risk of permanent impairment.

Have you had a recent MRI to assess whether there have been interval changes since your last exam?  An orthopedic or neuro spine specialist would be able to provide updated information on the need for surgery.  Basing a decision on past experiences of your primary care doctor may not be reflective of current medical practice.

There is risk involved with any invasive procedure and even from the administration of anesthesia.   In my case, the risks were explained thoroughly and I am very glad I proceeded with the surgery.  I have no pain!  The results have been well worth the minor postop symptoms and I would not hesitate to have the surgery again if needed.

Hope you are able to get a consultation with a spine specialist and have your concerns addressed.  

[Dennis_37]

Hi Gemini64,
Sorry to hear about your experience. I am presently also having the same problem as your and also the same location, i.e. C5-C6 & C6-C7.
2 years ago, my condition were not so good, and was seeing a specialist at the hospital. Then the surgeon have gone thru my MRI scan and confirm that I have good reason for surgery. He have recommend to do an Artificial Disc replacement. But the option for surgery was open for and it is a personal decision and the surgeon did not force me to opt for it. Only advice he gave during that time was that if ever the pain at my arm and finger tip does stop, I could drop the idea for surgery. It actually stop after 2 months of medication and I also get the idea out of my mind.
But this year, 3 months ago, the prolapsed disc suffer a relapse and the pain was increasingly unbearable. I had started my hospital appointment again, and being scheduled for MRI scan this saturday1st Aug 2009. The doctor will review with me on the MRI outcome on 12th Aug. By then will decide on the need of surgery. I am here actually to findd out more from those are also having multiple level prolapsed disc. I actually have discussion with another surgeon friend of mine that artificial disc insertion is better than the fusion method and movement can still be maintain whereas the fusion method(traditional) does offer relieve of pain but not on movement.
I am quite about the surgery not because of the removal of damage disc or the insertion of artifiicial disc, but more the bone spur that is protruding out and facing toward the spinal cord. It could be this bone spur that is still causing pain and the removal of this bone spur is very dangerous to remove as it is very near to the spinal cord. I am now hoping that the new MRI scan would show something more promising.

[ellahi1]

I had my c4/5 and c5/6 disc replacement with the second generation prosthesis called "disco-serve" on july1, 2009 in London. The surgeon says the operation went well and discharged  from hospital after 3 nights. Prescribed  heavy medication for pain. I developed a pain in my left shoulder blade in-spite of the pain medicines. Surgeon immediately stopped all medication and prescribed "gabapentin 300mg*3=900mg per day saying that the pain is from the ‘facet joints’ trying to synchronise with the new location of the neck. Increased the medicine to 3*600mg=1800mg per day. Up-to now no relief. If I lie down or put a cushion behind my back I am ok. If I stand up and walk etc the pain comes back.I am not going to work and my voice after 28 days is still funny. Did anyone else also suffer from pain in the shoulder blades I would appreciate if you could tell me what sort of pain you had and how much time it took to recover.
regards
ellahi

[Aikidoka]

Just had Artificial Disc Replacement surgery July 12, 09  with the prestige disc, C5-6, and it totally eliminated my presurgery symptoms of pain well, more tingling really and numbness radiating down my right side of my neck, shoulderblade, bicep, forearm and thumb and forefinger.  Woke up from surgery, instantly gone.  Less than three weeks after the surgery I am pain med free, driving, performing normal household chores and trying to remember the restrictions my neurosurgeon gave me as I have no pain to tell me not to over do it.  My follow up is next week, I only hope I am alright, but I highly recommend having the artificial disc replacement surgery for cervical issues, as my experience was amazing.  (Assuming your neurosurgeon is as great as I am thinking mine was!) I was up the same day in the hospital dragging my IV pole around the floor, and home by noon the next day.  I would hope we could get some of the newer discs like the M6 Artificial Disc which they are using elsewhere since it has some shock absorby stuff in it, but I am grateful to no longer be worrying about losing function in my right arm.  Good luck to all...

By Aikidoka