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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
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Introduction - Hello Everyone!
I would like to introduce myself and say hello!. I joined several months ago and have been browsing around, reading and learning. What an awesome site and a great group of folks - I hope that I can learn and contribute.
I was diagnosed last year with Cervical Myelopathy - C3-7 with the severe stenosis at C4-6 (moderate stenosis at the other two levels). I have consulted with 3 surgeons in the past year. The 1st surgeon wants to do a 2-level ACDF C4-6. The 2nd surgeon wants to do a 2-level Mobi-C at C4-6. The 3rd surgeon gave me 3 options: 1) A hybrid with 2-level Mobi-C at C4-6 and ACDF at C3/4 and C6/7 (Preferred). 2) Same procedure as 2nd surgeon. 3) Laminoplasty C3-C7. I'm not in that much pain - some numbness, tingling and pain in hands and legs - intermittent and neck stiffness. Given that this is a complex case I was wondering about another opinion on the hybrid vs. the Mobi-C ADR. I was thinking about getting a consult from either the Texas Back Institute or someone in Europe - does anyone have any thoughts on who to go to? Thanks, Mark
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History of Degenerative Disk Disease: 1983 Laminectomy L3/4 & L4/5 2015 Diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy C3-C7 C4/5 & C5/6 are worst C4/5 & C5/6 Mobi-C Surgery 2/1/17 with Dr. Vikas Patel Still active, working out and cycling - want to stay that way! |
#2
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Welcome!
Well, I was in a similar boat and went to Dr. Clavel in Barcelona. He's really good at diagnosing and fixing the cervical spine. He's my recommendation for out of country. I've written a lot about him so, read my threads if you are interested. I guess it depends on if you want a multi level ADR which IMO is ideal over a hybrid here in the states. However, you can't get a three level ADR surgery in the U.S. (I can't tell if you need 3 or 4 ADRs from your description. It does look complicated.) Does your insurance have any coverage for going out of country? I'm not an advocate for fusion if it can be avoided for several reasons. It is a harder surgery to recover from, there is a risk the body won't fuse so, then you have to have surgery again, and there is a higher risk of further degeneration to the adjacent discs once you fuse. Dr. Blumenthal at TBI comes recommended on this board. Good luck!
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2006: epidural shots did nothing; 2 surgeons recommended 2 level fusion, I declined. 2007 - 2010 4 foraminotomy and cord decompression cervical surgeries and 2 endoscopic discectomy T7-T8 surgeries; total 6 with Dr. Jho (Pittsburgh,PA) My C6/C7 autofused around 2009. 2013 - 2015: epidurals 3 times (again did nothing) and 4 Radiofrequency ablation (or RFA) procedures. 2016 more RFAs, hit the 10 year mark of this insanity and pain, 3 level M6-C ADR with Dr. Clavel May 19, 2016 |
#3
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Mark,
Welcome, I hope we can help you in your journey. I am not a huge proponent of fusion, which is why I started this site in 2004. That said, I know many people that had fusions decades ago (cerv and lumb) and they are doing great. Every case is different. Pls read, read, read. And use the search utility above which works great. Especially the advanced function.
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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 |
#4
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Mark,
Bertagnoli from GmbH does some very tough cases and has a great and long track record with Cervical ADRs/issues.
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Dec 1/15 - 3 level ADR from S1/L3 c/w 360 mobility preservation at L3/L4 for Spondylolisthesis done by Dr. Bertagnoli in Bogen GmbH. |
#5
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Thanks Cynlite, especially for the recommendation of Dr. B at TBI! I have read several of your posts....... I don't know whether I need a 2-level or a 4-level. Dr. Patel was the last doctor that I consulted with and he's not 100% sure either given the three option. His next step is to do a CAT Scan , I believe that the imaging is better. I punted on the CAT scan last year - was not ready at the time for surgery, since then I've notice a little increase in pain.
All things being equal, I'm leaning towards a 2-level ADR for the first operation (Occam's Razor). I will be able to have additional ADRs at the C3/4 & C6/7 at a later date but not probably not in the US.
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History of Degenerative Disk Disease: 1983 Laminectomy L3/4 & L4/5 2015 Diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy C3-C7 C4/5 & C5/6 are worst C4/5 & C5/6 Mobi-C Surgery 2/1/17 with Dr. Vikas Patel Still active, working out and cycling - want to stay that way! |
#6
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Thanks for the advice and recommendation, Harrison and Fathub
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History of Degenerative Disk Disease: 1983 Laminectomy L3/4 & L4/5 2015 Diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy C3-C7 C4/5 & C5/6 are worst C4/5 & C5/6 Mobi-C Surgery 2/1/17 with Dr. Vikas Patel Still active, working out and cycling - want to stay that way! |
#7
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Harrison et al.,
Thanks so much for creating and hosting a great website - it's been invaluable in my journey. I've decided to have 2-level ADR with Dr. Patel on 2/1. After following my symptoms for a year or so most of my pain seems to be coming from C3/4 and C4/5 - the plan is to replace with Mobi-C. I've never had much pain, recently the neck pain has increased and then there's the myelopathy and neck ROM. Best, Mark
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History of Degenerative Disk Disease: 1983 Laminectomy L3/4 & L4/5 2015 Diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy C3-C7 C4/5 & C5/6 are worst C4/5 & C5/6 Mobi-C Surgery 2/1/17 with Dr. Vikas Patel Still active, working out and cycling - want to stay that way! |
#8
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Mark, congrats on your milestone...that's a big step and hopefully a sense of relief has you healing already!
And hey, if you've not had your teeth cleaned recently, pls do ASAP. It's important to have a clean mouth: - so the inubator tube does not infect you going in and coming out - so there's no bleeding that enables microbes to travel to the new device - so your honey will kiss you
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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 |
#9
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Thanks for the suggestion - perfect timing as teeth were cleaned last week. United approved the provedure last week as well.
Mark
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History of Degenerative Disk Disease: 1983 Laminectomy L3/4 & L4/5 2015 Diagnosed with Cervical Myelopathy C3-C7 C4/5 & C5/6 are worst C4/5 & C5/6 Mobi-C Surgery 2/1/17 with Dr. Vikas Patel Still active, working out and cycling - want to stay that way! |
#10
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Mark,
Can I ask what your symptoms in your legs feel like? I am still on the fence- and as this injury goes- I ebb and flow with pain/numbness and feeling pretty ok. My legs get pains like I've worked out very hard when I haven't, and then numbness as well, randomly and intermittently. Congrats on making your decision. That alone is a huge milestone that I have not yet conquered. I am 30, an RN and just terrified of being worse off after surgery. I have yet to find the perfect doctor yet.....which also could be contributing to my lack of decision.
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30 year old RN NOV. 2014- C5-C6 herniation with ridiculopathy Numbness and tingling in all extremities 1st opinion- Recommended 1 level Fusion- NOPE 2nd opinion-Recommended Mobi-c, Dr had only implanted 5. 3rd opinion- Recommended Mobi-C, not crazy about the guy. 4th opinion: Recommended Mobi-C, Dr Blumenthal June 6, 2017 C5/C6 Mobi-C disc replacement with Dr. Blumenthal at Texas Back Institute!! Ready to get back to an active lifestyle! |
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