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

[mattyhd78]

I had C4-C5, C5-C6, C6-C7 total disc replacement about 18 months ago. I will say that my numbness and tingling in my arms has gone away, however my pain levels are about the same, a little less, but still higher than I would like. Not trying to discredit anyone on this site, but, anyone that says they dont have any residual pain I would love to talk to because I know about 10 people that have had the same or similar surgery and everyone of them has residual pain.
All that being said, if you have the headaches, numbness and tingling then I do recommend this surgery. I think its great that someone outside the military is able to have this surgery since its a new thing still not approved by the FDA in America.
Any other questions let me know please.

[SWEETS000]

I HAD C5 C6 REPLACEMENT JULY OF 2010 AND HAD RELIEF FOR A FEW MONTHs THEN ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS BEFORE SURGERY CAME BACK. I GET INJECTIONS BUT THEY DONT HELP FOR LONG. IM ACTUALLY WORSE TODAY THAN BEFORE SURGERY. ALL I HEAR IS YOUR XRAYS LOOK FINE THEN I GET SENT BACK TO PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR 6 TO 8 MORE WEEKS. MY LEFT ARE HURTS CONSTANTLY I HAVE NUMBNESS ALOT OF PRESSURE WHERE MY IMPLANT IS AND THROAT PAIN. IF ANYONE HAS INFO ON A DOCTOR (BESIDES LOWCOUNTRY ORTHOPEDICS) IN SC THAT CAN HELP PLEASE PASS THE INFORMATION ALONG. IM AT MY BREAKING POINT

[Brogi]

Had 2 tatanium disc replacements  (c5-c6 & c6-c7) in 2007 in Cyprus. Cost £2500 and was the best money I ever spent. 3 days after operation, was back to racing go-karts, coming 3rd in my first race. Suffered a soar throat for a few days as the operation was through the front of my neck. Arrived at the hospital at 8am for tests, operation at 4pm same day. Discharged from hospital 11.30 am next day. Total time in hospital 27 1/2 hours.
I would recommend this op to anyone. After years of pain, I have not had a single problem since and have full mobility of my neck.

[Brogi]

Had 2 tatanium disc replacements  (c5-c6 & c6-c7) in 2007 in Cyprus. Cost £2500 and was the best money I ever spent. 3 days after operation, was back to racing go-karts, coming 3rd in my first race. Suffered a soar throat for a few days as the operation was through the front of my neck. Arrived at the hospital at 8am for tests, operation at 4pm same day. Discharged from hospital 11.30 am next day. Total time in hospital 27 1/2 hours.
I would recommend this op to anyone. After years of pain, I have not had a single problem since and have full mobility of my neck.

[figtree14]

How did your surgery at the Texas Back Institute go?  Was it a 2-level artificial disc replacement?  Also, who is your doctor there?

[divine57]

Hello all, It has been four weeks now after a C4/5 operation. Symptoms- pins "n" Needles, numbness and total internal tremors. Night time is horrendous where I can actually here it coming on like a motor running through my ears. When this comes I have to move and try to stop the noise, If It doesn't stop there will be a build up of numbness. What I have to do is get out of bed and walk around until it stops. This happens frequently every night.
On the Scan there was clearly disc compression and degeneration so the operation was to replace with titanium joints. There were problems during the operation because I have ankylosing spondylitis in the spine and not realizing it also was in my neck which when exposed was evident that there were bridging of the discs. I had two serious bleeds and a csf leak so it was decided to fuse the disks and cage but could not decompress the right side of cord due to the risk of a further csf leak. It has been four weeks now and the numbness has significantly reduced but the internal tremors have worsened. Nor sure what the prognosis is but I am not optimistic and just after the operation the surgeon said it would be too risky for any further  operations.