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Decision re: artificial disc replacements in cervical spine

Posted by nadiachar @nadiachar, May 6 10:04pm

I am in my early 50’s with severe DDD in my cervical spine from an injury in my early 20’s. I have had two surgical consultations in another country one suggesting 4 new discs, the other suggested replacing the worst C5-6 and understanding that I may require further surgery later. I have mild flattening of the cord at c5-6 and partial effacement of the thecal sac at adjacent levels. I have moderate and severe intervertebral foraminal narrowing in these areas as well. I am not suffering with constant pain but do get bad headaches at times. I do not have neurological signs at present that I am aware of. I am worried about the development of cervical myelopathy. I also wish to stay active- skiing, cycling, hiking, dancing for the next 20-30 years! At present I am being very cautious not to fall or bang my head. Will the one new disc significantly lessen the risk to my spinal cord or should I take care of the other levels at the same time? Surgery is extremely expensive and I have to travel out of country to get it. I wish to avoid a fusion in the future but also don’t want surgery done prematurely. Is partial effacement much less severe than mild flattening of the cord?

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nadiachar | @nadiachar | 5 days ago

Do you have access to the name of the cervical hardware used? Elastomer versus a semi-fixed center of rotation seems to be in question with multi-level cervical or lumbar disc replacements from my reading. I am also getting a lumbar disc replaced but it is not in question which one or how many. Clearly L5-S1 from a herniation in 2010.

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nadiachar | @nadiachar | 3 days ago
In reply to @krispine "I have 4 titanium discs (C3-C6). Surgery was done in 2021. No pain or seemingly, no..." + (show)
@krispine

I have 4 titanium discs (C3-C6). Surgery was done in 2021. No pain or seemingly, no restrictions. Am not really conscious of it. Apparently, had severe compression prior to it with numbness in both arms. Now, everything feels normal.

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Do you worry about the hardware? Has it changed how you approach activities? For example would you worry about riding a bike for fear of falling and breaking/dislodging the hardware or skiing similarly? I worry about these things now knowing my discs are impinging on my spinal cord and wonder if that needs to be my attitude after I heal from adr’s also?

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krispine | @krispine | 3 days ago
In reply to @nadiachar "Do you worry about the hardware? Has it changed how you approach activities? For example would..." + (show)
@nadiachar

Do you worry about the hardware? Has it changed how you approach activities? For example would you worry about riding a bike for fear of falling and breaking/dislodging the hardware or skiing similarly? I worry about these things now knowing my discs are impinging on my spinal cord and wonder if that needs to be my attitude after I heal from adr’s also?

Jump to this post

No. Not at all and I am very active in my working out. I have given up horseback riding but that decision was finalized when I got kicked last year and required a titanium disc at L4 (also doing well now). It just comes down to coming up with alternatives that you enjoy but don’t compromise your back.

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