Artificial disk (spine) who has had them?

[bushmins]

I hate taking painkillers of any kind but would gladly pay for a private scan. I'm asking for a referral on my next visit.

I got a scan through my local chiropractor/physical therapist. You don't need to go through an NHS doctor. I only paid for the 30 minute session which was £40 and the £250 for the MRI. The NHS 'Back specialist' was keen to see the private MRI.

 

[kinetic747]

I got a scan through my local chiropractor/physical therapist. You don't need to go through an NHS doctor. I only paid for the 30 minute session which was £40 and the £250 for the MRI. The NHS 'Back specialist' was keen to see the private MRI.

A neighbour of mine is a physio so I may go down that route. Thanks

 

[Scougar]

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.

 

[Oxide™]

I had the operation in November 2017 - an anterior cervical discectomy at C5/6 and C6/7 after which they performed a Double Prosthetic intervertebral disc replacement (or 2 of the below bad boys inserted in my neck)




It was a long road of agonising, electrifying pain/pins & needles/weakness/sleeping in one position propped up on my back head slightly turned not knowing the cause until eventually whilst seeing my previous shoulder surgery consultant, to check if that was the cause, I mentioned that since this pain started, the tip of my right thumb had become permanently numb. He then sent me for an MRI of the neck where it was found I had 2 severely herniated discs and thankfully thanks to work BUPA things moved pretty darn quick to the operation.

Had the operation at the The Princess Grace Hospital, Marylebone which was fantastic - was kept in there for 4 days which cost BUPA 16k - off work for 5 weeks.

It was amazing how quick after the operation I recovered and totally pain free - the only thing I have now is the same numbness tip of thumb due to nerve damage and sometimes if my shoulder is in a certain position can cause my right arm to go numb/funny until put back into right position (always seems to happen when holding my willy at the urinal - fun times)

 

[pastymuncher]

@Scougar Glad it worked for her as well. Her op was different to mine as I had the hockey puck style replacement. I hope she continues to improve.

 

[DXP55]

I really sympathise with you lads and can't imagine the pain you went through - - Years ago (before 1984 ) I had carpel tunnel problems with same symptoms - pins and needles and dead arms - riding my bike then I had to wind it up to 80 - let go of throttle and shake my arms. It took a Doc 10 yrs to find problem as he passed it off as FWT (fair wear and tear -total dick head) it was a locum who sent me for the tests and was in within a month for both tunnels to be done - It was like being reborn.

Good luck to you all. I and the wife have a lot to be thankful for.

 

[Megahurtz400]

Fascinating thread and glad all these procedures have gone so well!

Modern medicine really is amazing, and for the all the NHS sticks (it's not perfect) it's amazing that they'll do this type of complex procedure effectively free

 

[Scougar]

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.

 

[pastymuncher]

That's a much better solution than the one they did on me and she should retain all of her movement in her neck. For mine they took the disc out, removed any bone spurs, fitted the "hockey puck" and then bolted a titanium plate to the vertebrae above and below the replacement disk which means I have lost a little movement in my neck.