[Old Codger]

Drew,

I am a newbie to this forum, also... just ahead of you by a few weeks. However, I had a cervical fusion in 1999 of my C4, 5 & 6, with a titanium plate, screws of unknown material -- there is a problem with sheer forces with Ti, I understand, and mesh of unknown material -- maybe metal or a polymer -- both can be allergic.

At the two and a half year mark after that fusion, I was seeing a rehab doc for neuropathy in my toes, feet and lower leg, which after seeing about eight docs, and being convinced to have two additional surgeries on my lumbar spine for stenois, did nothing to improve my situation. Also, I had some other symptoms of now-questionable origin. Now, at approaching the sixteen year mark, I have terrible neuropathy, and other symptoms, which cause me to have strong suspicions they are related to the metal, and maybe something else, in me.... proven or not, by the capabilities of our "modern" testing.

Only did I remember about five weeks ago, and connect, my past experience with metal implants with neuropathy.

In 1981, I fell and broke myself up badly. The ortho surgeon used some metal plates and screws, etc, to do fixation of the fractures. At some un-remembered time, I developed the same neuropathy, as I have today, in my toes, feet and lower legs. Then, after I had that metal removed from my body, the neuropathy dissipated over an un-remembered length of time... and stayed away until I had the newer crop of metal put into me in 1999 for my cervical spine problem of a pinched nerve that caused pain in my right forearm. But I had forgotten this scenario of the neuropathy with the metal until the recent recall.

In 1999, by not being sufficiently informed, I chose to go to an orthopedic surgeon instead of a neuro-surgeon, which woundup causing me to have a cervical fusion. I have no questions about the abilities of my orthopedic surgeon as a surgeon. But, I gather that the neuro's like to do an "open-door" or, "raise-the-roof" type of procedure, if possible, as opposed to the ADR or fusion that ortho docs like to do. The neuro's seem to like to relieve the pressure on the nerve rather than do the fusion or ADR, to do the same relief of pain.

No, I have not done an extensive survery of docs to arrive at this conclusion. I have come to that conclusion from my discussions with affected people, and my reading.

Due to the fused partial-cervical, with metal, I have a more restricted head movement capability that is really bothersome... and may cause more future trouble with putting more stress on the remaining joints. I also now realize that my neuropathy is probably caused by reactivity (allergy) to certain metals. Upon presenting with a rash/exzema/itching, I was shown to have a positive reaction by patch test to chromium, nickel and cobalt, which are used in alloys. There are also some other metals that are used in alloys, as well. I was also shown to be "Higly Reactive" to nickel by a metal-LTT a few weeks later.

I may be in the 4%, or some such percentage, crowd that is allergic to foreign bodies in my system. I am miserable!!! And sure wish that I had at least consulted a neuro-surgeon as well as the ortho-surgeon!!! However, pain of then in my arm drove me to get relief as fast as I could. I realize now that my learning curve was insufficient. But to tell the full truth, I am not sure that without the Internet, I would have learned sufficient then.

And yes! I can see a rational for doing a fusion and ADR in various cases. I think that even a neuro-surgeon will see that also. Our various problems are caused by different causes.

IMHO, surgery may only add to your problems. Go cautiously!!! And do the least surgery that you can.

Wishing all wellness!

Old Codger