Cervical Spine Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

[gdean]

I have been suffering with neck and upper back pain for several years now. I recently had an MRI done which showed bulging discs at 2 levels and effacement of the thecal sac at C-5. I was referred to a neurosurgon who sent me for a myleogram and post myleogram CT scans which showed bone spurrs at C4-5 and C5-6 with severe neuro foramenia narrowing of the left and mild to moderate narrowing on the right at both levels and stenosis at one level. They also noted slight spinal cord compression and decreased filling of the nerve root sleeve at C 5-6. I recently saw my neuroseurgon for follow up and he advised me that surgery would do more harm than good and any benefits from surgery would only last 12-18 months. His advise was to call him back when the FDA approved an artifical disc for use in the cervical spine.  Should I get a second opinion? I know clinical trials for the artificial disc are taking place but are they close to being approved for use in the United States?
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-PW]

THe main aim of this type of surgery is to prevent progressive neurological disability - so if you have no symptoms or neurological signs such as loss of bladder control, weakness, or incoordination, surgery may not be indicated, and a conservative approach is reccomended.


Artificial disc replacement is still indergoing investigation so is not scientifically proven yet, but promises to be a more natural method of operating on degenerative joint/disc disease. The same reasons for surgery apply as above.

Good luck

[mike1105]

don't make the mistake i made. i assumed my problems were disc/spin/hard (bone) tissue related and quite frankly my symptoms were more severe than yours seem to be. i had severe upper back and neck pain with radiation sometimes to the shoulders, chest, and even arm muscles. my mri/ct myelogram read like yours. just because there are abnormalities does not mean your pain is from those abnormalities. bone spurs, stenosis, narrowing etc are actually "normal" as we age. I had 2 shoulder surgeries and even a minimally invasive neck surgery (foraminotomies at 2 levels that were "abnormal" on my MRI/scans) that did nothing fo me. especially the neck surgery. in fact it may have worsened my pain. I am now 3-4 days into a myofascial release program with a  man named john barnes and now feel better than i have in 5 years. look it up on the internet and do some reading about myofascial pain. even if your spinal "abnormalities" are surgically addressed does not mean your pain will go away. the surgery did squat for me.......myofasciail pain syndrome is "outside the box" for most physicians. do dome research.....

[JoniGO]

Mike,

I went to a massage therapist who specializes in neuromuscular and myofascial release... something like that.  Anyway, it's all out of pocket and I only went twice.  I was not noticing any improvement, but then again, I only went twice and she said it would take several times.  How many times? I don't know.  I sought medical opinion after diagnostic tests--EMG and MRI.  I see the orthopedic DO tomorrow to see what he says about the MRI exam (which DOES show herniation and spurs at C5/6.)  

We'll see what he says and go from there...
Thank you for sharing your experience.

Joni

[mike1105]

again, a huge number of people have herniations and spurs. it seems like an AHAH !!!! when you read the report.... hey I have herniations and spurs so that's why i have neck and back pain........ well that ain't always so. in fact I'd bet it is rarely so. Nerve root compression is usually not diagnosed by these tests, but rather confirmed by them. the dx is made by the exam and history, which would show weakness, numbness, in the extremity and even in certain fingers..... neck and back pain alone is not really diagnostic for nreve root compression or disc disease as a culprit in my experience. i have also learned that cord compression is usually painless, and manifests in dysfunction (walking, bowel, bladder for example) so i would doubt the "thecal sac" struff has anything to do with your pain. You could take 100 healthy pain free adults and a large # of them will have compression of the sac, spurs, herniations etc.  i have been at the myofascial center for 3 days and am getting treated 4-5 times per day. once a week for a few weeeks is not enough in chronic cases in my opinion. don't make a mistake. research yourself......

[gdean]

Thanks for your input and I will take your advice and do some research. I've already been to the chiropractor and that helped some but then I reached a point where it stopped helping. I have also had physical therapy and several deep tissue massages and benefited from both briefly. I do have tingling, burning and weakness in my shoulders, upper back and occasionally down my arm as well as headaches on a daily basis. I am frustrated that I can't enjoy the things I use to. My husband has suggested trying accupuncture therapy.

[mike1105]

again, my symotoms were worse than yours. i actually laid in bed and did nothing for a year-- the pain was that bad. i began steady, daily stretching one month ago (it hurt ALOT) and it helped-- it made me 25% better. I went to the myofascial release clinic in paoli pennsylvania--- after the first week of my 3 week program 90, yes 90% of my pain is gone. i woke up today pain free for the first time in 3 years. you should at leasst call there and get an information packet. again-- just google john barnes.  i bet you have some sort of protracted (hunched) posture where your shoulders are rounded. waht is your line of work?????   ps. this sounds less and less like a disc problem.... my symptoms were exactly like yours, withthe addition of a very tight and painful chest....  that's my opinion any way. call and get the literature.it can't hurt.

[gdean]

I took your advice and checked out the John Barnes website. It sounds like something I could definately from. Unfortunately I live nowhere near Paoli, PA. There are two centers in neighboring states and both are approx 4 hours away from where I live. I hope the treatment works for you and you remain pain free for many years to come. Good luck

[gdean]

I took your advice and checked out the John Barnes website. It sounds like something I could definately from. Unfortunately I live nowhere near Paoli, PA. There are two centers in neighboring states and both are approx 4 hours away from where I live. I hope the treatment works for you and you remain pain free for many years to come. Good luck

[mike1105]

they do have therapists around the country who were trained by barnes who you can see. if you call their office you may be able to get referrals. i live in florida and actually flew up there and am staying in a hotel nearby because I wanted john hmself to treat me as part of the program. they have many chronic pain patients that do so. i know it's expensive, but dirt cheap relative to the value of my life. good luck to you.

[christineh]

I had ACDF at c4-5 and c6-7 in june.  initial mri showed developing problems at c5-6.  6 mos after the surgery, i have now started having serious headaches starting in the back of my head and going to the temples.  if i do any lifting, bending down, reaching up, or sitting too long, these headaches can last for 2-3 days.  I went out in the cold for the first time and my neck suddenly "froze up".  thats what it felt like, i couldn't move it from side to side.  i already have limited use of it.  i continue to have radiating pain from neck down shoulders and forearms.

[BookerT]

I'm sheduled for a Anterior disc fusion on Jan. 3rd. C-5,6,7 and the removal of 3 bone spurs. The doctor wants to use cadaver bone. I had an A/P lumbar disc fusion with bone grapht and titanium screws in Nov.99. L-4,L-5, L-5-S-1. I wish I never had that one because it has ruined my life. I have chronic pain now more than before surgery. I've had all the PT in the world. Injections in my back, tens unit. Ice/heat thearpy. And all the drugs of a junkies dream. I've been on Oxycontin, Lortab, Morphine, Lyrica, ETC. Nothing helps, been labled with Failed Back Syndrome. I suffer terrible depression and anxiety. I'm 43 years old and think of suicide everyday. So I can't believe I'm going to let them fuse my neck. I'm scared to death. I've tried PT, injections, traction, Chiropractic for my neck which helped some but, the pain comes back and is getting worse. Burning neck pain, left arm weak, tingling and numb. Should I have surgery? Please, help me decide. Any comments greatly appreciated.

Doug B

[cat12]

I was in a car wreck 28 days ago.   Eight days after THE WRECK  I started to have horriable pain in my back with numbness in my left arm and hand .IT HURT SO BAD I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK,because I was haveing muscle spasums, that I thought was going to put me in that level!!!I am 44 years old and had 3 chidren one with a c section.  So I know pain and I have a high tolerance also, but this was  and is the worst.I first went to a chiropractor on christmas eve and they ran the juice(I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS CALLED)BUT SHE TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT SHE HAD IT TURNED UP AS HIGH AS SHE COULD GO , SHE ALSO ADJUSTED MY BACK AND GAVE ME AN ICE PACK.  SHE WAS GREAT !!!Then on the day after christmas my husband took me to see his orthepdic surgen and he was wonderful gave me pain pills and a shot in my back here it hurt(which I did'nt even feel)and I went home ,because of the travel distance I started too see a chropractor on my side of town (5 visits) later I felt better in other areas but not in the area that was the point of pain.   I went too see another orthpedic surgeon last week and he ordered mri's to be taken .Iwent back yesterday and I have a herniated disk in my c6-7. (I saw this mri and it is bulging in to my spine) they want to do surgrey on my back next  week 'They gave me more meds and pain patches ,that's why I am able to type now .So my question is this the best thing for me at this point??? If I don't have the surgery now (and do alternative action)  will it come back to haunt me in the years to come???My ex fell 40 feet and broke his neck (up and down )brown sequa I think it's called I watched him be used as a ginnie pig for years, his frustrtion(lots of oxycotton, lots of pain management,and lots of alchol.So what can I DO ???

[tartanman]

Hello:

I too, like you are in a similar state regarding my L-5-4 S-1 Have had 5 operations in the last 4 years.  Suicidal sometimes, I have had spinal stimulator implanted... the first one failed and a second stimulator implanted this past December. It helps some but Fentanyl patches and Norco seem to keep me to doped up to feel good at any time.; and at age 43, I feel like I am at the end of my rope.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!! I cant sleep right, walk for any distance, stand for too long, sit for too long, lay down without constantly having to change positions....on and on.

I tried to file a disability claim but was denied because I could (on the day of the functional capacity exam)complete some of the tasks(although I suffered for three days after for having tried so hard).

I don't know where else to turn...UNder no circumstances should you allow another spinal operation until you have exhausted all other means of treatment..

Thanks for letting me vent,
Brian