My 3 mo X ray - Discs tilted all over the place

[steve55]

Well, I heard back from Prospine as follows:

"Regretably your x-ray newante.oyur perfect 3-months x-ray does raise major concern: The c67 ADR is tilted, and this is due to an apparent sinking of the upper plate component into the vertebral body bone. This does not have consequences for the width of your spinal canal, so no danger for the myelon – be put back at ease.

Dr. Bertagnoli recommends to correct this finding surgically now: reentering via the same approach. Removal of the ADR. Fusion of this semgnet by a zero-profile cage, which can be fixed with little titanium screws.

This would represent a estimated 1,5 h procedure, which of course he wants to do himself. This could secure an adequate position of this segment for lifetime.

The alternative of “wait-and-see” is sure out there, as you do not have relevant complaints. Yet as the vertebral bone stock within a vertebral body is spongiosa (“softer” than the endplate) further subsidence might occur. And then result in a “kink” in your cervical spine, causing pain. And which could affect the c56 position, which is at present perfectly functioning. In balancing the comparatively low effort of re-entering to this eventual course in the future, we recommend revision surgery.


Pro-spine will send you a cost-estimate for the proposed surgical plan, which of course will respect this very exceptional constellation of your case. . After reception please tell me, if you wish to be scheduled."

[runner]

Steve,

IMHO, I would do what Dr. B suggests. It is good that you raised concerns because it looks like now they are justified.
Sorry, he has to go in again. I think what he is saying about the wait and see approach, is to do something now before things get worse.
Subsistence is a potential complication of ADR surgery and I am sorry it happened to you.
i know you've gone through a long haul, with insurance issues and then going to Germany for surgery.
Good luck with your decision. I wish you the best.

[Cheryl]

Steve - OMG - I am sorry you have to face such a decision so quickly post op especially when you feel great.

I really don't understand why this happened - were your bones too soft?

[dshobbies]

Steve,

Don't know what to say. This is not good news but can be corrected. Not exactly what you want to hear just when you're healing from your previous surgery. You probably don't want to trek back to Germany for surgery, time or costs. But...

So what are you going to do. Wait and see, although an option, isn't the best one but the least intrusive.

What would I do? I'd suck it up and have the revision. I spent too many years with no life and put all my eggs in one basket. If my basket sprung a leak, yes I would get it fixed - and before anything else fell out.

Damn, Dale

[treefrog]

Steve, I am so sorry you are having to make this decision. I have to agree with Dale, I would be inclined to trust Dr. B.'s instinct's and it seems like he is indicating revision surgery is the safest bet.

Wait and see is always an option, but I see too many people, who regrettably wait too long. I am of the opinion that if you can do something now to head off disaster, you should do it. Your health is of utmost importance.

All that said, I'm sure you put a lot of money into going to Germany and having the first surgery. If there is any way that you can afford (well none of us can really "afford" this), to do it, I would do it as quickly as I could manage.

I can only give you a gentle cyber hug, and wish you the best luck with whatever decision you make.

[Katie]

Good lord, I am so sorry to hear this. This really makes a person pull deep down for even more inner strength. Thankfully it sounds like you still have a bucketful of that strength left, and can get this resolved.

Did you have a bone density test done beforehand? Either way, I hope they will be more than gentle with their charges. That would only be fair.

So many thoughts are running through my head right now, and I am praying for you. I hope I didn't offend with my comments...maybe I'm just very on edge because of my own worries on surgery.

Hugs and prayers, and please keep us posted.

[Jim M2]

Did he mention vertebroplasty as an option to stabilize the collapsed vertebra? He's done this before for the lumbar when the x-rays looked similar to yours. Maybe they don't do it for cervical for whatever reason.