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| New Member Introductions If you just joined, please introduce yourself here. Please add a signature describing your spinal history (use the "User CP) and ask us how we can help you get started. |
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#1
06-05-2014, 02:48 PM
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Hi to all members!
As a new member, I want to say thanks to everyone here for putting so much of themselves out there for others in need!
I have been considering cervical disc replacement for years, but finances and fear have prevented it. Now I am running out of time and I am using all of the great information here to help me decide who should do my surgery and what I should have. My surgeon in Maryland says he can do a replacement at C7-T1 and a fusion at C4-5. I refuse to have another fusion because they don't provide long term success for those with DDD! Now I am looking elsewhere for a surgeon who is confident enough to do what I want done. Its sad that the FDA is holding those of us hostage who need a hybrid complex; my insurance company is continuing to refuse to authorize a disc replacement surgery while hybrids are "experimental"! 
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Mid 2009: Herniated C3-4 and C5-C7 July 2010: ACDF C5-7 at Johns Hopkins March 2011: Herniated C4-5 and C7-T1 October 2013: Herniated 2 lumbar discs Now: Radiculopathy with hand atrophy and occasional back pain! Need ADR but UHC refuses to pay. 
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#2
06-05-2014, 09:50 PM
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Welcome, thanks for filling out your signature. And wow, C7-T1 disc replacement? Are you sure? With what device?!
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
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#3
06-06-2014, 11:54 AM
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C7-t1
Hi Harrison,
My surgeon in Baltimore wants to implant a PCM device at C7-T1. He says that it is a rare usage but that it is doable based on my CT scan of my chest/neck; and that he has spoken with other American surgeons who have done it. He may need to shave some bone from my sternum to gain the correct angle to implant it, but he believes that it would not be a big problem. I am currently waiting on an opinion from Dr. Bartagnali to see if he agrees.
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Mid 2009: Herniated C3-4 and C5-C7 July 2010: ACDF C5-7 at Johns Hopkins March 2011: Herniated C4-5 and C7-T1 October 2013: Herniated 2 lumbar discs Now: Radiculopathy with hand atrophy and occasional back pain! Need ADR but UHC refuses to pay.
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#4
06-06-2014, 05:17 PM
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Who is your surgeon in Baltimore?
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Weightlifter since 12 years old, now mid-40's and figuring out this wasn't such a good idea. Chronic back pain started in 2010 while shrugging weights that a 40 yr. old shouldn't even try. MRI in 2012 showing L4/L5, L5/S1 herniations and L2/L3 bulge. L5/S1 taking on new shape, chronic sciatica, etc. DEXA bone scan performed 5/7/14 showing mild osteopenia. Surgery performed July 9th, 2014, Dr Clavel, hybrid three level lumbar.
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#5
06-06-2014, 07:21 PM
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Dr. Justin Tortolani at Union Memorial Hospital.
__________________
Mid 2009: Herniated C3-4 and C5-C7 July 2010: ACDF C5-7 at Johns Hopkins March 2011: Herniated C4-5 and C7-T1 October 2013: Herniated 2 lumbar discs Now: Radiculopathy with hand atrophy and occasional back pain! Need ADR but UHC refuses to pay.
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#6
06-06-2014, 09:08 PM
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I hear you, but I don't know that there is that much motion in that area anyway. It's been so long since I looked into that particular spinal level. I would def. get other opinions....
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"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004 Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004 Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006 Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012 Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
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#7
06-07-2014, 04:23 PM
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Just spoke by email with Dr. Fenk-Mayer in Germany. She has requested some further studies (EMG and X-rays) to see if my problems come from the area of my previous fusion or lower. She did indicate that a three level ADR would be possible to repair all of my damage at one time.
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Mid 2009: Herniated C3-4 and C5-C7 July 2010: ACDF C5-7 at Johns Hopkins March 2011: Herniated C4-5 and C7-T1 October 2013: Herniated 2 lumbar discs Now: Radiculopathy with hand atrophy and occasional back pain! Need ADR but UHC refuses to pay.
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#8
06-14-2014, 08:18 PM
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Hey folks, not to hijack this thread but I have cervical ddd and have been told that it looks like it's auto fused. I do get tingling in my arms and pain in the muscles from the neck to the shoulders. But, is it normal to get crazy headaches? If I massage the back of my neck they seem to subside but not for long.
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Cervical DDD, Lumbar stenosis
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