The Spinal Kinetics M6 artificial cervical disc

[steve55]

Stenum is touting this one as the very best

Its innovative design incorporates an artificial nucleus to allow shock absorption and a woven fiber annulus for controlled motion in all directions. These characteristics accurately replicate the healthy disc, allowing the implant to work in concert with the remaining human discs. Unlike earlier "ball-in-socket" implants, with M6 the resulting natural functionality of the entire spinal curve should provide the best chance for a full recovery, and prevent or delay additional adjacent level degeneration.
This "Quality of Motion" is a major benefit not available in any other implant we have seen!

Why is it that I cant find anyone on any back board who has gotten it. Is it as good as they say? Anyone know anything about this disc?

[trkdoc714]

Steve,

The reason you don't have a lot of people that have the M6 is that it's new. There isn't an FDA trial underway yet. I tried to post a list of spinal devices and where they were in the pipeline last month. A feasability study (for the US) is underway for cervical the M6. As of JUly, 2006 it didn't show a record of any implanted.

Interestingly enough, the lumbar version of the M6 had 30 implanted and were further along moving toward an FDA trial.

Good luck,

Bob

[Harrison]

Steve, we actually have discussed it many, many times. I did a quick search and found quite a few meaty discussions, like this one:

M6®, Spinal Kinetics - 6 degree-of-freedom cervical disc prosthesis

There's more, for sure....this is just one. Also, Kirk had three cervical M6 implants, you can see his post-op topic.

[rhatzy]

A lady had one put in the same time as I had my Mavericks put in in Stenum January 08. She is back on her bike riding thousands of miles and hiking all over. She is about 60 years old and never felt better. Also another guy had 2 and i think three and he is hunting, fishing, and doing everything he wants.

Mark

[Rob Wilson]

I am pretty sure that Stenum uses this as their standard for cervical ADR.

[steve55]

Wow. Seems like its a good one then. Gosh, if one had to choose between this new M6 and the ole tried and trusted Prodisc, I wonder which one would go with? If I decide to go to Germany for a 2 level, I was planning on going to Bertagnoli since it sems 99% of his surgeries come out so good, (I guess Stenum has a good record too) but I wonder if he does the M6 or even recommends it? Seems Bertagnoli likes the prodisc the best? Hmmm, so confusing trying to determine which disc is best.

[rhatzy]

Again, Stenum has benn using the M6 for at least a year and a half now and maybe 2 years. The people I know that have it like it.

Mark

[trkdoc714]

Stenum will also do Prestige discs. They do this for US insurance considerations.

This could be an insurance issue as the Prestige is FDA approved in the US and the M6 would be an excuse for the insurance companies to say no.

It's good to see you're keeping an open mind to all of the options for yourself. Sometimes it appears some are rooting for different teams when in reality we're all looking for help for our spinal problems. It's a shame we can't all respect others opinions and thoughts.

Good luck in your decisions Steve,

Bob

[steve55]

Well, the only way Ill do 2 level with ziglar is if the cost for the 2nd level is much cheaper than getting the full 2 level in germany with bergnotoli. I cant help but me amazed at how everything Bergnatoli touches turns to gold. Maybe ziglar is as good? Is there a skill evel difference between ziglar and Bergnotoli? How can I know if there are so few posts by those who had ziglar do their multi level surgery. If the cost of a additional 1 level is the same as a 2 level in Germany, why not go the sure route? Plus, allowing ziglar to do the 2nd level could lead to Aetna renigging on covering the 1st level ADR since they have done so before to another board member here. They can claim a 2 level is not something they cover even though Im paying for the 2nd level. I fear this possibility very much. If so, then Ill be on the hook for god knows how much, $100K??

I see Ziglar tuesday morning and Ill see what he thinks about the M6. If I choose the M6 route, Ill probably go with a Stenum surgeon since they likely have the most experience with placement of that particular disc.

Has anyone heard from their doctors about what the surgeons think of the M6 compared to the prodisc or prestige???

[rhatzy]

Stenum surgeons like the M6. That's why they use it. Also, Stenum charges about 28, 000 Euros. the dollar is now about $1.28 to a Euro so, about $36,000. Also, I think Stenum used to use the prestige. I don't think they ever used prodisc.

Mark