[jss]

Originally Posted by nihs

There is no information on the web of re-design or possible defect with this device. If there are such inherent design issues with an earlier versions, then the company should let people know that the earlier versions are prone to such failure since a failure within your cervical spine can have serious or catastrophic effect. At least this will let them be aware of the potential risks, and let them decide to have more frequent check-ups or even a revision surgery.

EXACTLY! I have two M6's circa Nov 2009. If, may God forbid, I needed another fusion/ADR, I would not consider an M6 until I got to the bottom of this problem. The hearsay of this problem is that Spinal Kinetics knew about this problem and fixed it. I don't know if that's true or not, but am left to wonder if my pair of M6-C's are of the defective variety, or the fixed variety... I don't know.

The other M6 failure that came across this forum a year or so ago, was similar to firefighter's story; only worse. After much searching I've finally found the German forum where the patient with the M6 failure posted his story first hand. Here is the link. Below is the output of google.translate of the patient's story. I hope someone out there knows German and can do a better translation for us. You can go to that page and translate the whole discussion.

Originally Posted by ilva

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I reported on the progress. Last Stand had been / autumn last summer that the symptoms became more violent (including spontaneous vomiting in tilt / inclination of the head, electricity, hardly possible seats , enormous head pressure ....). Initially it was already established in the fall of 2012 in front of my treating physicians that the M6-C prosthesis on c5 / c6 now "no function" would be and through the larynx downward-knit top and base plate " immobile " . The neurologist did it again writing notes that the base plate "protrudes into the spinal canal radiologically". The MRI was indeed caused, but with respect. To the affected segment C5 / C6 was only stated that there would be "artifacts" and thus in any case only "restricted would be assessed". Then everything else fizzled. Despite increasing complaints it was only that one could just leave so .... ??? Only offered me my orthopedist - after several PRTs - still on, among other things, to make the head nerve block stationary. Accordingly, I was last unsettled, especially since I just felt the successive aggravations and tried to portray this plausible ... Fortunately, then turned my (very good) Physio and advised me to comprehensive clarification in the neurosurgery Bochum . There finally beginning in October 2013 showed that CT + MRI suspicion of a "mass" into the spinal canal into - well above the base plate ...: ph34r: Therefore you have advised me to myelography. This then confirmed the suspicion, no doubt, that the prosthesis CORE had drilled into the spinal cord to the rear (up to 8mm) and the Spinalkinetics M6 prosthesis destroyed was. According to urgency, I was advised to remove all material. So I stayed the same for OP ( today - fortunately ...). However, one pointed but also that it would not be clear what you would find exactly the OP. Accordingly, it had until then 'not similarly stored incident "documents given ... This one had assumed that I would have to be opened anteriorly and posteriorly -. Associated with autologous bone harvesting from the iliac crest and subsequent merger with titanium cage including plating shuddered - but I had little choice in the state ....: hair At the end of October was all broken prosthetic material - very skillfully - away. Today I can talk about a bunch of luck and skill very good specialists, Prof. Schmieder and OA Dr. Barth. After the operation I was feeling despite merger namely immediately better. The most extreme symptoms were directly after waking up - about all for 6 weeks - away. Ultimately, I may be more than grateful and glad that in fact only the ventral access was necessary. The core could be luckily from the front "hold", after they had been working carefully through the broken parts to directly to the spinal .. I am very aware that the whole thing would completely differently out -: B I will here give anyone discomfort, the date a "dynamic prosthesis" bears. Still, she was with me well "dynamically" ... (even though I had an accident or other incident / fall, etc.). Nevertheless, you should know what is very possible. To what extent the manufacturers product, or the center should have been better back up, would be an interesting question. I guess I'm going to this - by appropriate means -. nor respect exactly ... (the removed material has now after several odysseys with me) Certain damage Although I have long suffered, but still not the last OP is yes so long ago. That takes up and I should have a little more patience. Some of the symptoms is - depending on the form on the day - but sometimes still being felt. But maybe regenerates a part? At least it was said that the main purpose of the OP avoiding the worse served - everything would now also better, I therefore see it as a GIFT. In rehab I will not put myself for the time being. My physio helps me tremendously about the current phase of time. In any case, should anyone whose plates are also grown together and / or otherwise wrong are somehow - IMMEDIATELY initiate a comprehensive CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF A COMPETENT SOURCE and "put off appeasement" not with. Normally you yourself very good feeling when an exacerbation feels seriously. All the best wishes - and that they either never require a prosthesis or who she carries on, he / she receives so good controls. AP Greetings from Ilva