I feel like a new member again.

[adrigail]

Harrison, Please move this thread if it's in the wrong place.

I feel like a new member again today. Now that I have my lumbar spine under control (and feeling much better) we (surgeon and I) decided to have another look at my neck. I was injured in a car crash 4/25/2012.
Having weaned off the heavy pain med's, my dear friend Neck Pain returned.
The newest MRI confirms that I have three discs C-3/4 4/5 5/6 that are problematic. At this time, I have a large bulge to the rear of 4/5 and both of the other two disc's are significanly narrowed.
Dr. Donner obviously doesn't think I'm a candidate for ADR stateside, for the reasons we all know. When I pressed him on overseas surgery, he indicated the usual, too many levels, instability, new procedures yada yada.
Having him as my surgeon for the lumbar process has instilled a ton of confidence. No doubt, to hear him tell me that "I wasn't a candidate" surely wasn't expected.
I suppose now I will send MRI's and xRays to the Doc's overseas and see what they say. Any answer that doesn't include a life of managing pain with epidural's and oral opiods or a 3 level fusion will be music to my ears.
I now get to study up on M6 versus the others. Again, thanks for all your help before, and if you have input for this go-around I would greatly appreciate it.
Mike

[Conan26]

Hey

its hard to say who is right or wrong but go with your gut feeling with surgery

[NJ Gene]

Mike, I am very confused. From what I understand, cervical ADR is less risky in general than lumbar, because there is much less weight to carry. I suspect that the better U.S. products have been used more for lumbar. Before looking at European surgeons, you might want to check out Dr. Carl Lauryssen in Beverly Hills. Here is a link to his website: Carl Lauryssen M.D. | spinal Neurosurgeon in Los Angeles | Beverly Hills
My understanding is that he has the most training of any U.S. surgeon with the M6 disc. I believe he can operate on you "off-label" meaning insurance won't cover it. It may be easier than going overseas.

Good luck!!

Gene

[jss]

Mike,

Condolences on the problems at the top of your spine. I know that you know from reading these forums that any cervical surgery will be a tip-toe-through-the-tulips compared to what you've already been through with the lumbar.

Good luck, Jeff

[adrigail]

Gene,

His concern wasn't based on a 3 level fusion or a 1 level disc replacement. I re-read my post and realized that it wasn't very clear.
My question to him was regarding a 3 level disc replacement. He's seen them done, but hasn't participated. He is currently expanding into 2 levels for the C-spine only.
His concern was that in my case, a 3 level was more replacements than he would be comfortable with.
Now saying that, he did say to research all my options and that he knew several excellent spinal surgeons abroad.

Sorry my syntax was off....I knew what I was saying...
Mike

[NJ Gene]

Mike, that makes more sense now. Thanks for the clarification. Good luck with the search.

Gene

[TPatti]

NY Gene: The M6 cannot be implanted in this country even "off label" unless it was part of a trial. Dr. Lauryssen has been trying to obtain rights at an overseas hospital so he could perform surgeries on them there. To the best of my knowledge he has not yet obtained rights yet and you should also ask your self the question of choosing a doctor that has implanted close to 2000 M6's or his first few. I am now starting my 9th day post-op from a three level lumbar and cannot believe how good I feel, 3 level cervical is supposedly a much easier recovery that lumbar. It is only my opinion, but I would highly recommend considering Dr. Bierstedt. Hopefully I will find time to do a full update on my recovery later today or tomorrow, I have not updated because of pain issues but rather the fact that it is hard to find time when you are in the rehab center for 6 hours a day performing activities that you never thought you would be doing so soon after such a huge surgery. I am now only taking 1000mg of a drug simular to Alieve 4 time a day and 5mg of oxycodone for breakthru pain which I have only taken one tablet in the last 2 days, and Lyrica for post-op nerve pain from the mobilization of nerves at L4/L5 level in order to implant the disc. Again, IMHO ,the American doctors that are more forward thinking still lack the experience and knowledge base on multi-level procedures. I think our system has so ingrained in them that it cannot be done that they still struggle with letting go.

[NJ Gene]

TPatti, thank you for the clarification. I was going to use Dr. Bierstedt myself before I learned that I could get by with a minimally invasive procedure. IMO, he is probably the best European surgeon to use for the M6, especially after all the bad press Dr. Clavel has been receiving.

Gene