New member from Miami, FL (Cervical Spine Stenosis -- Looking into Artificial Disc Replacement)

[speedyralph]

Hello members!

My name is Rafael Ferrer from Miami, FL and I found this site searching for the mobi-c disc. I have a herniated my c5-6 with bulges before and after this area. I also have degenerated c6-7 with a spinal stenosis from the herniation.

All this happen from diving into a pool on the shallow side drunk on spring break of 97' when I was 18 yr old. I'm currently 31 and over this past summer, 06/2010, I engaged into riding a very powerful jet ski in Key Largo. Although I never fell of the watercraft I woke up the next day immobilized on the cervical area. After some serious massages and distraction I gained mobility three weeks after.

Between the ages 18 and 31 yrs old I lived pain free life except your usual electro shocks here and there or mussle spasm from doing traps at the gym, but no need to take meds or pain killers for that matter until the jet ski thing.

I quickly got an mri/ct scan after not having done so in at least 10 years and realized that a spinal stenosis had formed. The pain kept making my life impossible, I had to limit my active life to 0 activities and met up with Dr. Vanni from the University of Miami. He was the first person that informed me on artificial disc replacements and recommended the Bryan disc since he works for Nuvasive.

I am doing my research for the best surgeon and a disc that doesn't require shaving too much off the bottom of c5 and the top of c6.

Ralph

[KBear]

Welcome Ralph and sorry you have to be here. I'm in North Texas, but I went to Miami for surgery. I was Dr. Rolando Garcia of Orthopedic Care Center. Here is a link to his website Orthopedic Care Center - Our Doctors I was very happy with him and would use him again in a heartbeat. I was in a the Active L clinical trial, which Dr. Garcia and Dr. Yue (of Yale) invented together. I had surgery at Aventura Hospital and spent a week after that in Miami, then returned home and follow up here. I would suggest getting at least 3 surgical opinions before proceeding with surgery, to make sure you are a great candidate and that there are not any potential contradictions.
Kathy

[Justin]

Hi Ralph,

Welcome to the Spine Patient Society.

Kathy has provided you with great information about Dr. Rolando Garcia, a very highly regarded surgeon in your neck (no pun intended ) of the woods. I'm sorry to hear that your pain has been limiting your activities--I know how that is.

Good luck doing your research on what procedure / disc / surgeon is best for you. We will be here to support you along the way to help answer questions and support you when you're just having a rough day.

Be well.

[Cindylou]

Hello members!

My name is Rafael Ferrer from Miami, FL and I found this site searching for the mobi-c disc. I have a herniated my c5-6 with bulges before and after this area. I also have degenerated c6-7 with a spinal stenosis from the herniation.

All this happen from diving into a pool on the shallow side drunk on spring break of 97' when I was 18 yr old. I'm currently 31 and over this past summer, 06/2010, I engaged into riding a very powerful jet ski in Key Largo. Although I never fell of the watercraft I woke up the next day immobilized on the cervical area. After some serious massages and distraction I gained mobility three weeks after.

Between the ages 18 and 31 yrs old I lived pain free life except your usual electro shocks here and there or mussle spasm from doing traps at the gym, but no need to take meds or pain killers for that matter until the jet ski thing.

I quickly got an mri/ct scan after not having done so in at least 10 years and realized that a spinal stenosis had formed. The pain kept making my life impossible, I had to limit my active life to 0 activities and met up with Dr. Vanni from the University of Miami. He was the first person that informed me on artificial disc replacements and recommended the Bryan disc since he works for Nuvasive.

I am doing my research for the best surgeon and a disc that doesn't require shaving too much off the bottom of c5 and the top of c6.

Ralph

Welcome Ralph, I am sorry to hear about your neck injury at such a young age. Thank God you weren't paralyzed. I used to dive when I was a kid, just for fun, but always prided myself on getting the jack-knife and other dives done perfectly off the high and low diving boards. Neck injuries are such a potential risk with diving....just very scary. Anyway, I'm glad you found us and keep us posted as you research your possibilities for cervical treatment. Good luck! Cindylou

[nolonger_superman]

Hi Ralph and welcome! Sorry to hear about your situation. Sounds like the usual crew has chimed in with their excellent feedback. Due to your use of the words "trap" and "gym" in the same sentence I'm guessing you're in decent shape. If you do end up having surgery, that in combination with your young age will be very helpful in your recovery...especially if you don't smoke. Please note that smoking significantly hinders recovery depending on the surgeries performed and you may be asked to stop prior to surgeries. Best of luck!

[Marti in Benicia]

Ralph. Since you're investigating artificial cervical discs that aren't FDA approved yet, then check into the M6-C. I have two of them in my neck (as do over 10,000 others) and couldn't be happier. Either way, you'll have to go out of country to get one; may as well get the most advanced while you're at it.