M6 surgeons
 

Does anyone know how to get a list of surgeons who use the m6? All I am aware of is clavel and dare. I tried emailing spinal kinetics and searched on their website to no avail.

It appears to be the latest and greatest and it perplexes me why more doctors don't use it. I daydream about it being used in the U.S. and my insurance company paying for it, at both levels! One would think I would daydream about a pain-free neck.

Thanks!

Jen,

Rather than email Spinal Kinetics, you can call their phone number, which is on their web site. The receptionist is trained to answer many questions. I don't know about that one.

I had a question about the device that I could not get answered after numerous phone calls and finally sent a hand written letter to Tom Afzal (sp?), the CEO. The next time I called they could not get me to the people I needed to speak with fast enough.

If you can acquire that list, I hope that you'll post it here. It could be beneficial to a great many others as well.

Good luck, Jeff

M6 docs
 

Somehow I just now saw both of your responses and I am on this site every day! Thanks so much and whatever I find out, I will of course share with the community.

Jen, just curious: why the focus on M6 as a solution to your pain? Please add a signature to your profile soon, thanks.

M6
 

I like the shock absorption and control of movement qualities it offers. Insurance will pay for a prodisc at c5 & fusion at c6, but from the research I have done, the m6 appears to be the newest generation that best mimics the natural disc plus I am terrified of fusion. I don't know what I will end up with or if disc replacement is the right answer for me... Just researching and praying A LOT! And suffering, let's not forget that. :bawling:

I am much better since my foraminotomy, but my quality of life consists of going to work and to bed most of the time. I don't have to run a marathon in the future, but I would be so grateful for the muscle spasms to stop and the knife to be removed out of my neck and trapezius.

Sorry about the signature, I added one SOMEWHERE the first time I posted. I am pretty new at posting on forums. Thanks for everyone's precious time!

Thanks!

Thanks Jen, I'll be checking in from time to time. :)

M6
 

Hi Jen,

I'm baffled by why the M6 disc is not available in the United States as well, especially since it is manufactured in the state of California! The M6 is used practically everywhere except for the United States. I blame the FDA. I'm currently consulting with Dr. Ritter-Lang in Germany and Dr. Clavel in Barcelona. The M6 is most appealing to me for several reasons: 1) some of my pain is caused by facet joints, damaged soft tissue, and motion irritating nerves, 2) the M6 restricts some motion relieving pressure from these damaged areas, 3) I am not allergic to any of the materials used to make the M6, the few discs approved for use in the United States contain a lot of metals, specifically surgical steel, which contains nickle which I am allergic to. 4) I'm seeking multi-layer M6 ADR for C5/6 & C6/7 for it seems more promising than a double layer fusion for someone my age with DDD. 5) You can have a fusion after having ADR if the ADR is not successful, however, you cannot have ADR once fusion has been done. 6) Fusions are helpful for some and done all the time by the surgeons I mentioned above, however, it does not seem like the best option for me given my age, and the rate at which my discs are degenerating.

M6
 

Hi!

Thanks for your post. I live in California yet I would have to travel out of the country to get it. Maybe I should just bring the M6's with me. Frustrating for sure. The plane fare alone is staggering—somedays I considering selling a kidney to pay for all this! J Have you read any of the posts by Marti from Benicia? She lives close as well and went to England for exactly what we both need (multi-level ADR @ C5-C7).

I’m curious how you know that some of your pain is caused by facet joints? Also, did you have a metal allergy test or you are just aware from past reactions/exposure? Just this week I asked my doctor to give me a prescription to be tested. It blows my mind that a lot of surgeons will just “install” an ADR without testing the patient first. I cannot fathom having such an invasive procedure to then discover that the one thing I thought was going to be my cure exacerbated my condition.

We think alike-it is comforting to have another option (fusion after ADR or ??). I daydream about an injection like the “discogel” where the damaged disc is removed through a small needle and a gel is injected that will restore my disc height and release my nerves from this relentless squeezing!! Wouldn't that be wonderful?

I would love to hear about what progress you are making.

Metal Allergy Test
 

FYI regarding metal allergy testing before ADR

metal allergy testing

I had mine done a few months ago and the results put my mind at ease....the company is very helpful if you have any issues you need help with....have a great day!!!!

M-6 in the U.S.
 

Someone may have more current info., but last I heard, about a year ago, Spinal Kenetics had decided not to seek FDA approval for use of the M-6 in the U.S. due to the cost and length of the approval process. Since they already have a strong oversees market they were just going to stay with marketing its use outside the U.S.?

JPJH

Hi Jen,

It's strangely comforting knowing that I'm not the only one going through all of this. To answer your questions, I had a general allergy test done several years ago and the results indicated that I am highly allergic to nickle (amongst a long list of other things, silver, gadolinium dye used for MRIs w/ contrast) which is in surgical steel. Some of my pain is caused by facet joints, damaged tissue, and nerves... this I know from physical examinations, MRIs, Xrays, and the fact that I've been living with two herniated discs since 2006 and had a failed C5-6 Discetomy and Foraminotomy in October 2011 :( I wish you the best of luck.

Sorry, for reasons I explained through the years, I believe the M6 is too complicated a design. I like the kinematics, moreso than most, but the number and complexity of materials give me some angst.

That said, many people have had this implanted in the last few years and most are doing well (but not all).

My bias is toward a design that requires minimal parts and simple design; with an attention to minimal surface areas which do not break over the long term or attract biofilm.

Since 2004, when I launched this site, has anyone here (or people reading), actually calculated the total surface area of an artificial disc implant? All the surfaces, including endplates and any exposed surfaces? Or when the protective sheath of the "next" generation disc fails, all the surface areas exposed to the immune system or infection? Similar disc designs have failed (including the M6) and had to explanted.

It is possible that the "next generation" of discs are over-engineered. That is only my opinion and concern. And it is one that bothers me and sometimes causes to me to lose sleep!

Speaking of that... :sleeping:

Sully, who did you finally go with; Ritter-Lang or Clavel....or neither? Thanks, Mike

That is an interesting argument against the M6 Harrison. I had never thought about the over design of the artificial disk. Sometimes simple is better. Thanks for the insight.

I thought somewhere I read that there have been no device failures to date for the M6, any failures were surgical error?