Prodisc C removal/revision to fusion, questions
 

I had surgery at c5/c6 back in April and healing is not going as planned. So after many dr's appts, PT, x-rays, ct scans, more injections, narcotics, and acupuncture, it looks as though I will be having the prodisc removed and a fusion done.
I'm trying to find 'my own' information rather than the generic info from the dr., personal stories, etc.

Prior to my original surgery, I had my heart set on the fusion. Once I learned I was able to get the ADR, I was quite happy. Now that I'm looking at a fusion, after having the ADR, I'm not so sure. I must be searching something wrong, because I'm finding zilcho information out there, so I was just hoping for some help here :)

I'm sorry about all this pain and trouble with your c-spine! What is the reason for removal? And what specific areas of inquiry do you have? We'll try to help!

The top portion of my prodisc has migrated forward, it is now stable just in the wrong position. The dr is not sure if that is what causing me my pain, or the arthritis. I guess due to the adr, I have arthritic facet joints at the surgical spot (?). He thinks that the disc may just not 'be for me'. I have an MRI scheduled next week I believe, so he wants to see if the joints above and below are arthritic, I guess if they are he won't want to do the fusion after all (?). I had taken my painkillers earlier in the day, and am not 100% sure as to all he said (hence the question marks), my husband was there and restated everything my dr mentioned, I'm just unsure of it all. So much of this doesn't make sense to me.

Edited to add --- I'm just looking for personal stories, or info regarding the removal of the disc. I have heard that the lumbar revisions can be considered life threatening, so I'm trying to find info on cervical revisions.. I'm just not finding great info.. I know no surgery/person is the same, but I'm curious, are you opened up at the same spot? or is a revision posterior? is the recovery time worse than just a fusion, since technically more is being played with in there?

Please post a pic of your MRI b/c im having the same problem as you...

Ok, I have NO idea what I am looking at, but to me, something looks very wrong with my this...

I'm not sure if I attached them correctly.. I guess I'll see in a second!

Im sorry, I meant your X-Ray pic so I can see what your pro-disc looks like in your neck. Placement? Forward?

^ Yours looks more forward then mine...

But I want mine out also...


http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/e...02/prodicc.jpg

:confused:

I had cervical revision from ADR to Fusion surgery on 4/20/10. This was my surgeons first revision. The ADR was Spinal Kinetics M6. I have no loss of motion that I can measure. The only issue is that I have nerve irritation in my right arm which I had prior to the revision surgery.

If your in the hands of a good spinal surgeon, hopefully everything will be OK. The biggest question I would have is the Keels on the Prodisc are rather large. Will this create a problem with additional bone loss when he tries to take it out? The M6 had very small keels so that wasn't a problem with me.

Good luck.

^Did you get both your M6 disc taken out? If so why?