C5-C6 ADR @ Stenum 2/12/10

[badbatzmaru]

Leaving tomorrow! Finally. Seems like it's been an eternity of fighting w/ insurance (and getting denied). I haven't been posting much here although I chatted w/ Justin via PM for a bit - I've been so busy between work and insurance (and exhausted pain) that I neglect to inform everyone of my decision-making process. If anybody has any questions (especially once I'm on the other side) please don't hesitate to ask.

So pretty much the only reason I have a bit of anxiety is b/c I haven't actually decided what disc to get implanted. I'm an engineer (although formally not a biomedical or mechanical engineer) and I'm very technologically minded. When I first learned of the M6 I did everything I could to learn about it and get data on it. In fact, I work just a few blocks away from SpinalKinetics in Silicon Valley, but alas, they won't talk to me b/c I'm a US citizen. In any case, once I decided to get treatment outside of the US, I was able to get more info on debris generation and fatigue/wear testing. All sounds good... but the problem for me is that I'm 32y/o. I sincerely hope I have this disc for a long long time. Although I know there are non negligible chances that I'll have future spine problems down the road (lots of family history and mild indicators already) BUT I certainly don't want to be having surgery in 30 years to extract a worn-out M6.

In the beginning of my research I had sworn off the prestige. But that was mostly because of the screw attachment and stainless steel construction. Now the LP design seems to be a much more evolved concept - titanium composite, no screws, ball-in-trough instead of ball-in-socket. I really like the single material set contruction and lack of polymer-based materials (especially near my brain). Having said that, I guess titanium isn't pefect either and can lead to increased debris generation.... ah decisions decisions...

So my question for everyone (and maybe a bit late given my schedule (sorry)) is: does anybody have real information on the prestige LP? I'm looking for the test data - they obviously have to file certain technical constrtuction files to get a CE mark. I'm interested in data on particulate wear generation and on lifetime testing, wear testing etc... So far I've got a whole lot of info on the M6, and a medtronic 2 page marketing brochure on the prestige. Doesn't seem like a fair comparison in my scientific-mind....

Thanks in advance and wish me luck!!!

[Justin]

badbatzmaru,

First--I am sorry that you are going through all of this at such a young age.

So my question for everyone (and maybe a bit late given my schedule (sorry)) is: does anybody have real information on the prestige LP? I'm looking for the test data - they obviously have to file certain technical constrtuction files to get a CE mark. I'm interested in data on particulate wear generation and on lifetime testing, wear testing etc... So far I've got a whole lot of info on the M6, and a medtronic 2 page marketing brochure on the prestige. Doesn't seem like a fair comparison in my scientific-mind....

Thanks in advance and wish me luck!!!

The Prestige LP and the Spinal Kinetics M6 are both great devices. The Prestige artificial disc actually has quite a long history (see this link [start on page 68]: Dynamic Reconstruction of the Spine and this link [start on page 348] Spine Technology Handbook).

Here's a couple of threads that might be interesting reads for you:

• Stress Analysis of the Cervical Vertebrae End Plates: Bryan, Prestige LP and ProDisc-C
  
• Stenum Experience - Live From Bremen (Two Level Prestige LP Artificial Disc Replacement)

Travel safe and keep us posted on your progress!

[badbatzmaru]

Hi Justin - thanks for the links. I did see these book sections before, but they're lacking in any technical detail... I thought maybe I'd lookup the Prestige LP references from Traynelis ('04,'05), but the reference list is truncated by google. Another search shows that it might be a reference to:

Traynelis VC: The Prestige cervical disc replacement. Spine J 4 (Suppl 6):310S-314S, 2004.

-and-

Traynelis VC: The Prestige cervical disc. Neurosurg Clin N Am 16:621-628, 2005.

Thanks for the link to the stress analysis paper. I'll try to find a copy... and I have PM'd w/ melduforx - we shared some of the same thinking on the M6 vs. LP. Now its my turn to decide!

I'll keep in touch and post from Germany

[Terry Newton]

The two Prestige discs have been in my neck since November 2006 so, four years this coming November. I have no issues in my neck and am very satisfied with the choice I made for cervical repair. I went to Stenum for surgery and couldn't recommend a better place for spinal surgery. If you have any questions please let me know and I will give you my phone number for a consult. I have been very busy lately and have not had time to post but I have been posting on these forums for about four plus years.

Hang in there.

[New-disc]

Badbatzmaru,

Best of luck with your surgery, and recovery.

Please keep us posted!

Todd