The Spinal Kinetics M6 Meets the Criteria for me...

**Katie** · 10-27-2009, 09:51 PM

After much digging, sleuthing and pleading with the company, I finally discovered that the M6 is composed of acceptable amounts of the proper metals for me.

I found out a few weeks ago that I am allergic to seven of the most common metals used in surgical implants. Thankfully, the M6 is made with enough titanium (normal surgical titanium also used in other implants such as hip replacements), and the rest of the alloy is within acceptable range with my allergies. And as outlined on their website, the rest is made of polymer materials which should be pretty inert.

I am so thankful for this; I thought I had fallen into this black hole with no options. I checked with the Duke Lab which did my allergy testing and they confirmed, as much as possible, that this should be safe for me. It has worked for other patients with similar allergies with hip replacements. While no one has had the number of allergies as I have, past history suggests that this should work.

So to all who have sent best wishes and kept me in their prayers, thank you. Thanks so very much.

I just have to figure out how to get this surgery done, now that I've found the device. I forwarded the news to my surgeon and he answered, saying he would look into it!!!

Finally!

But if he is unable to get his hands on this because of regulations, then I'll have to resurrect my appeal for out-of-country funding. Never a dull moment!

**Justin** · 10-27-2009, 10:39 PM

Katie,

This is great news!

I'll give you a call tomorrow (I didn't get your message until just a bit ago).

**ajj1001** · 10-28-2009, 03:50 AM

Sounds like the progress we have been praying for! Now it just needs the details sorting out. Glad your surgeon is looking into it.

**daveinaustin** · 10-28-2009, 10:00 AM

I am very glad you have the option! Your perseverance and determination paid off.

-Dave

**Katie** · 10-28-2009, 12:09 PM

Thanks guys. I am so glad to have this new chance for a new spine. I was beginning to think that I would never find anything in the foreseeable future. This was a real god-send yesterday.

Now comes the struggle to get it, either through my doctor or ??? The Appeal Board is waiting for new documents to reopen my case, put to bed when I though I had surgery booked a while ago. I'm sure glad that I didn't have them dismiss it completely, only put it on hold. This backs up my belief like with the rest of my housekeeping...never throw anything out...you may need it some day

**rhatzy** · 10-28-2009, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Katie

Thanks guys. I am so glad to have this new chance for a new spine. I was beginning to think that I would never find anything in the foreseeable future. This was a real god-send yesterday.

Now comes the struggle to get it, either through my doctor or ??? The Appeal Board is waiting for new documents to reopen my case, put to bed when I though I had surgery booked a while ago. I'm sure glad that I didn't have them dismiss it completely, only put it on hold. This backs up my belief like with the rest of my housekeeping...never throw anything out...you may need it some day

Katie, Stenum is using the M6. They have been using the cervical m6 for a few years and have just started using the Lumbar M6. Mark

**Katie** · 10-29-2009, 12:18 AM

Thanks Mark. Yes, I realized yesterday that this was the new disc that Stenum was using. But now I'm back to square one, trying to get the funding to get there, and reopening the appeal that I started almost two years ago when I first learned of ADR.

I've been trying to reach them (Stenum) and find out what the difference in cost might be compared to the Maverick, which is what I first got a price on. I'm not having much luck though.

The M6 rep said that the disc is good for both cervical and lumbar, with just a difference in size between them. Do you know how long they both have been on the market? Is Stenum just slow to use both of them?

And I'm trying to decide if I should ask about having a fusion at the lowest level (L5/S1) then two ADR above, instead of having three ADR in the lumbar. That still leaves the C4 to 6 needing work as well.