Has anyone had the TOPS device put in their back?

Posted by annie1 @annie1, Jan 16 10:33pm

I had an appointment with a well-known neurosurgeon who wanted to use the top system on me however I read that it's contraindicated for people with osteoporosis. I don't have severe osteoporosis anymore after being on Evenity but I still do have it. I'd like to hear from anyone who has had the tops procedure who might have osteoporosis.

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Play recently saw a well-known surgeon who is one of the few in the country who puts in the TOPS device instead of fusion. I have osteoporosis, not severe in most places but at any rate I read that that device is not advised for people with osteoporosis but the surgeon is recommending it saying it would be better for me than fusion. Has anyone had the device put in who also has osteoporosis and it worked out? I have many gifts that are degenerating, one reason cited by the majority of surgeons who do fusion that tops wouldn't work for me.

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Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

Play recently saw a well-known surgeon who is one of the few in the country who puts in the TOPS device instead of fusion. I have osteoporosis, not severe in most places but at any rate I read that that device is not advised for people with osteoporosis but the surgeon is recommending it saying it would be better for me than fusion. Has anyone had the device put in who also has osteoporosis and it worked out? I have many gifts that are degenerating, one reason cited by the majority of surgeons who do fusion that tops wouldn't work for me.

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As an old spine patient I had stainless steel plates and screws implanted in 1990, then considered state of the art. They now know that placing stationary plates causes vertebrae above the fusion to deteriorate. It appears the TOPS device permits spinal movement where mine does not. The long term pain issues and activity limiting I have encountered is partially due to my fusion. I was offered in 2016 to replace my steel with titanium but I’m not sufficiently debilitated to want unneeded spine surgery again. If I was in your shoes I’d go for the TOPS but research your surgeon and make sure they’ve done plenty of these before you dive in. I’m a Jefferson patient too. Which doc suggested the TOPS?
https://www.google.com/search

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Profile picture for jenatsky @jenatsky

As an old spine patient I had stainless steel plates and screws implanted in 1990, then considered state of the art. They now know that placing stationary plates causes vertebrae above the fusion to deteriorate. It appears the TOPS device permits spinal movement where mine does not. The long term pain issues and activity limiting I have encountered is partially due to my fusion. I was offered in 2016 to replace my steel with titanium but I’m not sufficiently debilitated to want unneeded spine surgery again. If I was in your shoes I’d go for the TOPS but research your surgeon and make sure they’ve done plenty of these before you dive in. I’m a Jefferson patient too. Which doc suggested the TOPS?
https://www.google.com/search

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@jenatsky
The tops was suggested by the head of the Cleveland clinic. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say his name but anyway he's well known obviously. I do have foraminal stenosis also which I don't know if the tops would help with that. Have a lot of degeneration through my whole spine but the worst is l34 where I have spondylolisthesis. Recently another doctor in Boston told me my cervical spine needs attention that I would be in danger of spinal cord compression if I don't deal with that. It's very complicated trying to figure this out. But I'm not sure which is Jefferson what is Jefferson?

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Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

@jenatsky
The tops was suggested by the head of the Cleveland clinic. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say his name but anyway he's well known obviously. I do have foraminal stenosis also which I don't know if the tops would help with that. Have a lot of degeneration through my whole spine but the worst is l34 where I have spondylolisthesis. Recently another doctor in Boston told me my cervical spine needs attention that I would be in danger of spinal cord compression if I don't deal with that. It's very complicated trying to figure this out. But I'm not sure which is Jefferson what is Jefferson?

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@annie1 our spines sound similar. I have a grade II spondylo and disc bulging also. Had L4-S1 fused in 1990. Now experiencing cervical spine issues with arm and hand symptoms. MRI on 3/3/26.

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Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

Play recently saw a well-known surgeon who is one of the few in the country who puts in the TOPS device instead of fusion. I have osteoporosis, not severe in most places but at any rate I read that that device is not advised for people with osteoporosis but the surgeon is recommending it saying it would be better for me than fusion. Has anyone had the device put in who also has osteoporosis and it worked out? I have many gifts that are degenerating, one reason cited by the majority of surgeons who do fusion that tops wouldn't work for me.

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Where do you live? I think you answered or commented on another post I made a while ago. Maybe recommended a doctor even? Are you in the Chicago area?

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Profile picture for jenatsky @jenatsky

@annie1 our spines sound similar. I have a grade II spondylo and disc bulging also. Had L4-S1 fused in 1990. Now experiencing cervical spine issues with arm and hand symptoms. MRI on 3/3/26.

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@jenatsky
Have you been told you might have Myelopathy ?

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Profile picture for annie1 @annie1

Play recently saw a well-known surgeon who is one of the few in the country who puts in the TOPS device instead of fusion. I have osteoporosis, not severe in most places but at any rate I read that that device is not advised for people with osteoporosis but the surgeon is recommending it saying it would be better for me than fusion. Has anyone had the device put in who also has osteoporosis and it worked out? I have many gifts that are degenerating, one reason cited by the majority of surgeons who do fusion that tops wouldn't work for me.

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Not yet but my initial injury to my spine was traumatic.

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