New member considering 2-level Cervical ADR: M6, NeoDisc, ProDisc, Mobi-C ...?

[tyler]

Hello everyone,

After a cycling accident this Spring, an MRI revealed degeneration at two cervical discs (C5-6 and C6-7) with nerve impingement causing arm pain and weakness.

I’ve looked into two very different new discs that claim to provide shock absorbing capability:
- M6 - used in Europe at Stenum and other locations
- NeoDisc - just completed clinical trials in the U.S.

Would really appreciate any feedback from folks who have had these or know about them. Thanks!

Best,
Tylerm-

[Katie]

Hi Tyler,

As far as I know, I am the only person on this forum so far who has had the NeoDisc. I traveled to Brazil to Dr. Luiz Pimenta in mid-March of this year to have the NeoDisc at C5/6, as well as an XLIF at L4/5 and ALIF at L5/S1.

I had quite a few neurological problems from the cervical compression, but they all disappeared right after surgery. I highly recommend both the surgeon and this disc.

I'd be happy to give more information if you like.

[tyler]

Thanks Katie -
I understand from your other posts that one of the reasons Dr. Pimenta went with the NeoDisc is because of metal allergies - but it sounds like it worked out well in your case, which is great.
Do you know if he would have used a different disc, e.g. one of the titanium endplate ADRs, if you didn't have the metal allergy issue?
Also, do you know if he works with Spinal Kinetics' M6?
Best to you!
Tyler

[Justin]

Tyler,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

There are quite a few SPS Members that have traveled to Stenum for the M6. If you do a search, it should pull up some pertinent threads. Also, browse around the "Surgical Outcomes" Forum.

[KBear]

Tyler, I'm not knowledgeable on either of those discs; but wanted to welcome you to the forum.

[Katie]

Hi Tyler,

I'll have to go back thorough my extensive notes to see what Dr. Pimenta discussed in the beginning. I think early on when he once forgot that it had to be non-metal, that he had discussed another disc. There was one he definitely disliked immensely though, and again, I'll have to go back to my notes for that. Poor memory is one of the side effects of way too many narcotics for a long period.

What I liked most about this disc is the ease of insertion. He said that he was in and out within twenty minutes at that site. In fact, the other two were quite quick as well. It was the positioning that took so long, and stopping the surgery to get permission from my husband to do a different procedure than what we discussed when he ran into a problem...the vertebrae were not lined up as they were supposed to be as per the images.

The NeoDisc has been the best thing I could have used, in my opinion. It healed very quickly and the only soreness was the actual stress on the surrounding muscles and ligaments, etc. from being moved and stretched during surgery. I can't tell that disc from my natural ones, even from day one. There are no keels or spikes to implant; the disc is held in place by two carbon fiber screws in my vertebrae that are fastened to the overlapping flaps from the mesh covering the silicone. Justin posted a picture of it somewhere.

As for the M6, I imagine that he could get that as well, but I didn't discuss it with him. He does work with Nuvasive in California and like most surgeons has his personal preferences I suppose, but it wouldn't hurt to ask him. His contact information is in the International forum, or contact me for more information.

I'm so glad that you found our forum. The wealth of information here is amazing, and has saved my bacon more than once.

[jss]

I’ve looked into two very different new discs that claim to provide shock absorbing capability:
- M6 - used in Europe at Stenum and other locations
- NeoDisc - just completed clinical trials in the U.S.

Would really appreciate any feedback from folks who have had these or know about them. Thanks!

Condolences on the condition.

I tried to get in on the US NeoDisc trial, but because it was a double blind study, I ran the risk of waking up with another fusion (I had two already), so I declined. But, I do have two Spinal Kinetics M6s implanted at C3/4 and C6/7 by Dr Pablo Clavel of the Barcelona Spine Center at Quiron Hospital in Barcelona, Spain on Nov 25, 2009. Since time I've completed two half-marathons, one full marathon (with a new personal best), will be competing in a 100 mile bicycle race on Aug 24, and am continuing to train for the Cozumel IronMan in Nov 2011. I feel great and don't know that I could have asked for more.

My first choice was the Nuvasive NeoDisc because it cushioned axial compression (that up and down motion when we walk/run), and because it was a trial and I wouldn't be out $$$. I declined the NeoDisc for the aforementioned reason. I liked the M6 better and ended up with two of them.

Good luck!

Jeff

[Carson]

Tyler,

Hoping all went well with surgery this weekend with Mr. Nick Boeree. Let us know how you're feeling as soon as you're feeling up to it! And congratulations on making it through! Time to heal now.

[Justin]

Tyler,

Hoping all went well with surgery this weekend with Mr. Nick Boeree. Let us know how you're feeling as soon as you're feeling up to it! And congratulations on making it through! Time to heal now.

+1 Let us know how things are going when you have a chance.

[KBear]

Tyler- I also hope all went wonderfully with surgery and that you are on your way to a pain free life! Can't wait to hear how you are doing!