Artificial disk (spine) who has had them?

Scougar

Scougar

Scougar

Soldato
Joined
30 Jan 2007
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PA, USA (Orig UK)
In September my wife is going to have her a couple of her disks replaced with artificial replacements, rather than having fusion. This involves cutting the back of the neck and the front for access. She is also having some bone spurs removed. Both the disks and the bone spurs are pressing on her spinal cord causing nerve issues like pain levels enough to hospitalize her (And she has an extremely high pain threshold) and many other 'fun' symptoms.

Obviously she has been through all the CAT scans, MRI's X-rays and will be getting the operation with one of the best places in my area. I'm actually surprised that my insurance said they would cover it, and not just fusions, but she is an active fit woman encumbered by this.

I'm curious who has had this done and what your results were? (And no.. I'm not looking for medical advise whatsoever, she already has made the decision to have it done).
 
Much the same experience for my wife. Pain, pins and needles, burning, fumbling, weakness, unexplained pain etc. She has Fibromyalgia as well.. so double the fun. Much like you she also has something going on with her lower back as well, we believe herniated disks.

She is going for same op, slice and move wind pipe etc.

You left the same day???
 
Thank you for sharing your experience. You are absolutely not hijacking the thread. I asked for people's experience, and that's what I got, so thank you.

My wife was the type of woman that is never still, never lazy, always active. The hardest part a couple years ago was trying to accept that with Fibromyalgia (eventually diagnosed) and bone spurs/lapsed disks... That she would spend a lot of time in bed. This mentally kills her. She used to work on a horse farm doing heavy manual labor for 140 horses and barn/field work... Almost everyday. She is still just about able to do a part time job as a Tae Kwon Do instructor, but it takes most of the day to rest up before hand.

The pain is so bad that sometimes she doesn't want by to go on. Just wants it to stop. I can do nothing other that try to get her treatment and figure out what is going on.

We are hoping that this op will stop the nerve pain, tingling, burning, loss of grip strength, and severe migraines caused from the neck.

The time from actually getting the first MRI to the op is around 4 months, but she has known of neck issues for a long long time.

Drug wise, she uses muse relaxers at times (used to be every night, but it floored her), SSRI's, and other anti inflammatories. She also has now been given anti nausea pills and Percocets for emergency use. These all cause other side affects like high blood pressure etc. Not fun, as it has been dangerously high at times.
 
That is very cheap for an MRI. Very surprised. (Although I am living in "overcharge anything medical USA").

She has all the pre screening stuff to go, so fingers crossed.
 
Update:. Last week she had the surgery, and so far, it has been extremely successful. Surgeon used a prodisc-c (the video is fascinating). It is a t shaped device with a ball and socket. I had expected the "hockey puck" style rather than this, so I am very pleased. The surgeon said that the placement was perfect and looking at the X-ray it certainly looks that way.

Pain has already gone from her arms and chest and feeling and strength is already returning in her hands. She has an incision in the front only, they did not go through the back of the neck at all.

She does have significant pain in her shoulders, back and rear of neck and the bruising is beginning to surface. She is doing her best to limit meds only for when. She feels she needs them (staying off oxy as much as possible).

So far, very pleased. Feel very blessed to have family that have been helping her around the house whilst I am at work and taking our disabled dog out for us.
 

She had this put in (plus bone spur removal). Waiting to see how the front incision turns out scar wise.

Spine issues can ruin your life. I wish a quick diagnosis and successful treatment for anyone that suffers such things.
 
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