Cervical & Lumbar Spine Problems -- Am I a Candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement?

[tvdvmv]

Greetings to all,
I am so grateful to find this site as have felt I'm all alone out here. I am a 53 yo woman living in Montana. I have been very active for the last 25 years with changes in my activity along the way. I was aware of some back issues in 1987 that were due to a whiplash/accident but the last 5 years it appears many changes have been going on and now we know from the MRI's. I have grown children with children and a surprise blessing who is now 10 and he is ACTIVE!! I'm missing out on much active time with him and my husband due to my limitations and pain. The pain that stops me the most is from the left lower back down the right side of leg into my entire knee and down the shin. Some days I swear I'd use a walker if I had one. I'm wondering if others are experiencing this and also if my knee is bad.

I have DDD at C4-C5, C5-C6 & C6-C7 with narrowing at C5-C6 & C6 &C7. I'm fighting bulges at all of these regions which respond maybe by 75% with injections but continue to return. This causes pain in Larm, fingers and overall tension and tightness in entire upper back which is very uncomfortable. Chiropractic adjustments help but it doesn' stay in due to the varied disc height.

I also have severe DDD at L4-5 & L5-S1 with thickened flavum and facet degenerative joint disease causing severe stenosis and L3-4 and moderate stenosis at L2-3. Currently have a buldge at L1-2. No stenosis at L4-5 & L5-S1.

I am a nurse and have been reading up on all of this but still do not have an extremely clear meaning of everything. I see my first surgeon tomorrow and have been told he is going to want to fuse. What I've studied about fusions I really don't want any. I'm not sure if I'm a candidate for any AD and I know in the US they are not doing multi-level AD. I'v read the entire site for Dr B in germany and it gives me hope but at the same time seems impossible. I have not been able to work now for some time so money is tight and I have no idea if insurance would help or if there are ways I don't know about .

Any ideas, thoughts or info would be greatly appreciated. Just reading some posts makes me feel like I have new friends who understand, and it brings me peace. I know I'm in a moderate depression and need to confront that too. It's amazing as a nurse, I am so gracious to others in need and reach out to them but when it comes to yourself it can be so much harder to deal with reality! Thank you for listening!
Blessings, Terry

[ajj1001]

Hi Terry, welcome to the forum. Spine issues can be very isolating, I was dismissed last year as I was unable to work any longer. It can get lonely resting up at home. I use a stick or walking poles when going any distance so use whatever you need to to get keep mobile.

You say you are seeing your first surgeon, are you seeing a few? This can be a really good idea as the treatment options seem to vary greatly. Are all your issues going to be tackled together or is lumbar more urgent than cervical?

Anyway that enough questions!

alison x

[tvdvmv]

Thanks Alison for getting back so fast. I'm see the best Neuro guy here in Billings, Mt and am anxious to hear his recommendations. I feel it would be good to seek advise from another and have thought about sending my records to Dr B to get his imput. Yes, my lumbar region is what needs to be addressed first, I think I can continue injections and live with the cervical for sometime. I see in Germany they are doing all kinds of treatments -are those avaliable to us here in the states?

Terry

[ajj1001]

Getting multiple opinions seems to be the one golden rule for spine patients (probably for any patient) I'm sure you being a nurse will help you to judge between them. Here in Europe we seem to get things first, in my case the 2 level adr didn't work out in the long run. Not that it isn't ok for other people or that it wasn't the best option at the time. Get ready to do lots of reading!

[Dave]

Hi Terry and welcome to this wonderful community. Having had cervical issues and now issues with my lumbar region, I can fully appreciate what you are going through. Research and multiple opinions are a good idea. Each surgeon has his/her own preferred method, which might or might not be the best option available for you.

I had a two level cervical ADR done here in Michigan, so there are surgeons who will do them, but most insurance companies will only approve one due to the FDA approval at one level. I was very lucky to have both covered by my company. All you can do is file then appeal if denied. Read up on how to do this in the insurance forum.

I noticed that you stated that you have facet degeneration. Most surgeons will not do ADR with this, due to contradictions.

Like AJ stated, read ALL that you can stand. Be an informed patient, it's your spine and for the most part you get one chance to fix it.

Good luck and we will be here for you.

[Justin]

Hello Terry,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society!

I'm sorry that you are dealing with cervical and lumbar spine issues. Good luck at your appointment with the neurologist today. Please let us know how things go. As Alison and Dave mentioned, get as many surgical opinions you can. Also, make sure to diagnostically "work-up" your facet joints, as degenerated facet joints can be a contraindication to artificial disc replacement surgery. For many Spine Patients, spinal fusion is the best surgical option depending on their specific pathology.

Once again welcome and we are here to support you!

[tvdvmv]

I thougth I read somewhere that a fusion and AD(s) may be done in the same region is this true? If so, how have the outcomes been?
Terry

[tvdvmv]

Has anyone has the TSMS procedure or know much about it?

[Justin]

I thougth I read somewhere that a fusion and AD(s) may be done in the same region is this true? If so, how have the outcomes been?
Terry

Hi Terry.

In some cases, a surgeon deems it necessary to utilize both artificial disc replacement technology and spinal fusion. These surgeries are commonly referred to as "hybrid" surgeries. I've spoken with many Spine Patients, both lumbar and cervical cases, that have done very well with hybrid procedures. Do a search in the upper right-hand corner of the Forum for "hybrid" and it should pull up some relevant threads (recent discussions)?

Has anyone has the TSMS procedure or know much about it?

I believe you are referring to the Inlign™ Total Motion Segment by Disc Motion. Click on the link below for more information:

Inlign™ Total Motion Segment by Disc Motion Technologies

Personally, I haven't spoken to anyone that has had the Inlign implanted.

I hope this helps.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Very good advice from all. Personally, I think it needs to be a decision you make from research and knowledge. The worst thing you can do is say "well, you are the doctor" and dump the responsibility on someone else. Most surgeons have certain procedures they feel most comfortable doing and there seems to be much grey areas in what is actually the best.

There are very good spine surgeons that are neurosurgeons and that are orthopedic surgeons. If a surgeon in either group has the training and experience, I'd pick 'em. There seems to be a turf war going on between the two. Just something to be aware of.