ADRSupport Community - New Member C6-C7 Prodisc-C Case Scheduled

New member here with a C6-C7 cervical disc replacement (prodisc-c) scheduled. Physician offered a new disc on disc study (1:1 randomization with new DePuy Discover disc to Prodisc-C), but suggests that I do this commercially (outside of a study) as my insurance will cover it (BCBS). Says that we can do the other if we have insurance issues and I have a 50-50 chance of Prodisc-C. Just looking to make sure I am doing the right thing versus overseas travel and newer disc design, or even study disc versus prodisc-c, etc...

My symptoms include cervical radiculopathy effecting the ulnar nerve in my left arm. This has been constant (pins and needle numbness) for 8 months. I have some limited ROM in my neck as well as some weakness in my left arm. No real pain, just nerve issues that sometimes effect my ability to hold things in my left hand (dropping glasses on way to sink, etc). I have had 2 MRI's and have seen everyone from a Chiropractor, to a DO (board certified in neuromulkuloskeletal diseases), and two orthepedic surgeons. My inital MRI was read by the radiologist as all ok. When I took that MRI to the first Orthepedist, he showed me that it was inconclusive (all fuzzy) below c4. He ordered another MRI at a closed MRI (first one was open) (to get better imaging) and it shows c6-c7 disc herniation. I went through several weeks of physical therapy and was in excrutiating pain everytime we did traction (needed Vicodin to be able to sleep after PT). I had the same MRI reviewed by a second physician (MD#2) and he said that my c6-c7 was "not that bad" and that I should just live with the numbness and try having an epidural steroid injection. I then had the epidural steriod injection done by (MD #1) and my ROM was dramitically improved for about 2-3 months. Now it is back where I started. The numbness had not changed after the ESI.

This brings me to today. I was referred to this physician (MD#1) by a local spine sales rep (who has been in several cases with this physician and seen him work), who is a personal friend, and assures me that he is one of the best operators, most progressive, and also one of the busiest in the area in regards to treating spine issues (I specifically asked him who he would go to that is both good, but also does a lot of cases like this, as I do not want to be in his first 50 cases). I am a little concerned in that all of the stories that I read online regarding people who have disc replacements refer to their pain being gone. I do not have pain to start with, however what I do have is very annoying numbness from my elbow to my little finger that never goes away! I met with MD#1 (who I am scheduled with) for about 30 minutes the other day and we discussed the procedure in general. He assures me that I am a great candidate for this and that it is relatively simple and I should experience relief from my symptoms as soon as the nerve root compression from my disc is relieved.