Quote:
Originally Posted by epmike
Hello everyone,
I am a 39 year old male with a herniated c6/c7 with nerve root impingment and c4/c5 with ni nerve root impingment. Looking for some guidance as one doctor is recommending ADR. Hopefully I will get some answers on this forum. Thanks for reading!
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Wish you did not have to ask the question(s).
Quick questions -> Symptoms ? Duration ? Intensity ?
How many cervical adr's has your doctor (surgeon) put in patients?
Is your surgeon part of an FDA trial for artificial discs?
Which ADR/TDR was suggested?
Cervical ADR / TDR has somewhat better clinical results compared to cervical fusion in the short and medium term ( 2 years = short term, 5 years = medium term ) with a bit fewer complications and revisions.
There will be surgeons that suggest or socialize the Artificial Disc alternative. It is becoming more accepted. Insurance companies have better data on the ADR / TDR procedures and results that may allow through coverage positions more surgeons to (be trained and) perform the surgery.
I encourage people to seek a second opinon rather than suffer indefinitely with symptoms. There needs to be a level of medical necessity or need based on the interruption of your normal activity of daily living. A 2 week episode generally does not mandate surgical intervention (layperson speaking).
Slackwater_SF