ProDisc-C longer term success stories??

[scotto74]

As I'm getting closer to surgery in the next month or so, I am feeling really good about my choice of surgeon (Dr. Bitan), but am finding myself worrying about whether or not the ProDisc-C is the best choice for me. I have two levels (C5/6 and 6/7) that need to be surgically addressed first due to severe stenosis, spinal cord compression and signs of myelopathy -- however, the levels above are in pretty bad shape also, so I feel like it's going to be especially important that whatever surgery I decide upon has the best chance of at least delaying the adjacent segments from deteriorating rapidly. I think the M6 sounds like a really interesting and promising device, and I've reached out to a couple of surgeons in the past week or so that use it -- however, I'd ideally prefer to stay closer to home (Philadelphia) since I am very likely going to need additional surgeries in the coming years.

So I guess I would really love to hear from anyone out there who has had the ProDisc C for at least a few years and hear how you're doing. I've heard a handful of stories from people on here who don't seem too happy with the ProDisc, or in some cases are in need of a revision surgery relatively soon. I know this is a risk with any of these devices -- but I'm just hoping to hear a little more feedback so I can hopefully finalize my decision in the next week or two.

Thanks in advance for the help!!

Scott

[annapurna]

Laura's had a Prodisc-C for something like 4-5 yrs and just this year had a second put in an adjacent level. She's had problems with too much mobility at the ADR level over the past few years but nothing too serious. It's still in the level of an occasional Lortab every few months and a chiropractic trip for trigger point release at about the same frequency.

[JKDE302]

worst thing i ever did...everyone is diff tho...

[scotto74]

Jim, thanks for the feedback -- and glad to hear that Laura is doing well overall. Is she still pretty active with her ProDisc C or has she had to limit some of her activities or be a little cautious with it?

JK -- I'm really sorry to hear about your experience. It was the migration in your case that caused trouble, right? I'm really sorry and I hope they can fix the problem for you.

Scott

[annapurna]

Her c-spine and L-spine have been doing very well. Her R knee is dying an untimely death and has been for several years but prior to that her Prodisc let her do pretty much anything she wanted to; long distance cycling, hiking, swimming, full time work (desk job).

[scotto74]

That's awesome Jim, definitely gives me some hope!! Hopefully once she gets that knee fixed, she'll be back to doing all of the things that she loves. I would love to hit tennis balls again, but at the same time, I'd be happy just to be relatively pain free and maybe practicing the gee-tar again (I'm pretty awful at it!).

Scott

[Harrison]

Scott,

I like the "no travel thing" too -- that's why I had surgery in Boston in 2004. There's a highly experienced surgeon in your city -- did you not already see Dr. B? Also, pls do not give up hope on alternative therapies:

"...since I am very likely going to need additional surgeries in the coming years..."

Any surgery is risky and is the last resort. Any honest spine surgeon will tell you this!

By the way, what the hell is a gee-tar?

[JKDE302]

If you have have herniations and some stenosis at two levels above like i also do I WOULD NOT GET THE PRO-DISC. I only got the Pro-Disc b/c it was "free" with my insurance. If I could go back in time 5 months I would sell everything I have and go back home and live with my parents to get the M6.

axial compression > durability

[scotto74]

Thanks JK. I'm really sorry to hear about your experience, and I hope that you are able to get some relief soon. I do appreciate your advice because it sounds like we have pretty similar necks unfortunately. I definitely have some reservations about the ProDisc. I'm also still contemplating a two level fusion. The thought process there is that I have four or five levels in my neck that are almost certainly going to need surgery at some point. Perhaps starting with a two level fusion (5/6 and 6/7) and then doing ADR's above at some point in the future makes sense. I'm not sure, and unfortunately almost every doc has a different opinion.

Scott

[annapurna]

Have you thought of looking at ACDT for the levels that are not bad enough for surgery yet but could still use some treatment? Obviously, you'd need to get fusion or ADR at another level before you could pursue it but it might buy time on the levels that aren't as bad.