Glad to know that doing a fusion doesn't significantly increase the risk of adjacent disc syndrome. At least, not in the cervical spine; and not for single level fusion. (I do wonder if ADS risks are still comparable for 2-level fusions vs 2-level disc replacements though.) This does make me ask: would motion-sparing decompression using endoscopic techniques be comparable to disc replacement in terms of patient satisfaction, reoperation risk, ADS risk?.. And... Given that I practice in a third-world country with a lousy gov't health insurance system, I'd have to wonder about the cost differences as compared with benefits & risks of each treatment option. Here in my country, patients have to consider the total cost of care, especially where implants are concerned (because the insurance system & HMOs don't cover for the cost of implants).
I practice in the Philippines. Up until 2018, I was doing mostly TLIFs and ACDFs. But after discovering UBE spine surgery in South Korea in 2019, I haven't needed to do a single fusion surgery for patients without instability symptoms.
I’m having acdf on 6/16. I’m not a candidate for artificial disks. Arthritis and degenerate disc disease. I’m really concerned about another surgery years kater
Hi doctor. I had a disc replacement a year ago on C5-C6 but my surgeron was supposed to do both C5-C6 & C4-C5. Why they didnt do both, i dont know but now they want to do C5-C4 disc replacement on C5-C4 disc and ACDF at the same time. Is that possible to do both? Please let me know your thoughts
Dr what’s your opinion of the Mobi-C. I have a herniated disc between c6 and C7. Only saw One surgeon after some conventional medicine/steroids and of course they did the MRI. The pain in my neck and shoulder has gone away but I still have significant weakness and tingling in my left arm as well as a little bit shaky when I go to sit stuff down on the counter which is strange. The surgeon I saw seem to only pointing out all of the negative stuff about a fusion and I asked him if there were any alternatives and he said no but doing research I heard and know that Elon Musk had the Mobi C Artificial disc. Should I get a second opinion considering this was a very young doctor and he didn’t have very good bedside manner ha ha. I can’t go to the gym now because I am afraid to do any further damage and I am always very active and he made it sound like after refusion I would never be able to do anything I wanted to again and I am 42 years old
MobiC is a great artificial disc, but fusion is the more traditional option. If your surgeon is out of step with how you feel, by all means get a second opinion.
Thanks 🙏 so much for all of that info and your input.
You are so welcome!
A similar study for the lumbar spine would be interesting to see too.
Thanks for the suggestion! Great idea.
Glad to know that doing a fusion doesn't significantly increase the risk of adjacent disc syndrome. At least, not in the cervical spine; and not for single level fusion. (I do wonder if ADS risks are still comparable for 2-level fusions vs 2-level disc replacements though.)
This does make me ask: would motion-sparing decompression using endoscopic techniques be comparable to disc replacement in terms of patient satisfaction, reoperation risk, ADS risk?..
And... Given that I practice in a third-world country with a lousy gov't health insurance system, I'd have to wonder about the cost differences as compared with benefits & risks of each treatment option. Here in my country, patients have to consider the total cost of care, especially where implants are concerned (because the insurance system & HMOs don't cover for the cost of implants).
Great points. Thanks for sharing. Where are you?
I practice in the Philippines. Up until 2018, I was doing mostly TLIFs and ACDFs. But after discovering UBE spine surgery in South Korea in 2019, I haven't needed to do a single fusion surgery for patients without instability symptoms.
good info. What about lumbar . disc replacement as opposed to fusion.
I’m having acdf on 6/16. I’m not a candidate for artificial disks. Arthritis and degenerate disc disease. I’m really concerned about another surgery years kater
Later. And does this adjacent disk disease stop at c7? Or does it continue into t1? I have nightmares I’ll become the tin man with 0 movement.
The ribs stabilize the thoracic spine, so for the most part the adjacent level degeneration stops at T1.
Hi doctor. I had a disc replacement a year ago on C5-C6 but my surgeron was supposed to do both C5-C6 & C4-C5. Why they didnt do both, i dont know but now they want to do C5-C4 disc replacement on C5-C4 disc and ACDF at the same time. Is that possible to do both? Please let me know your thoughts
Dr what’s your opinion of the Mobi-C. I have a herniated disc between c6 and C7. Only saw One surgeon after some conventional medicine/steroids and of course they did the MRI. The pain in my neck and shoulder has gone away but I still have significant weakness and tingling in my left arm as well as a little bit shaky when I go to sit stuff down on the counter which is strange. The surgeon I saw seem to only pointing out all of the negative stuff about a fusion and I asked him if there were any alternatives and he said no but doing research I heard and know that Elon Musk had the Mobi C Artificial disc. Should I get a second opinion considering this was a very young doctor and he didn’t have very good bedside manner ha ha. I can’t go to the gym now because I am afraid to do any further damage and I am always very active and he made it sound like after refusion I would never be able to do anything I wanted to again and I am 42 years old
MobiC is a great artificial disc, but fusion is the more traditional option. If your surgeon is out of step with how you feel, by all means get a second opinion.
Elon Musk ADR failed
Thanks so much I feel so much better that was excellent info , but I might just call u
Please do! I'd love to have you on my youtube show. You can sign up or submit a question by video here: bestpracticehealth.tv/
Dr. How can I send my mri . I'm still suffering pain on my back , sciatica, weakness for more than a yr. I really advice.
How can I send my mri.
Call my assistant Phebe at 602 256 2525. I hope we can help.
What about elbows ?
Good question. I don't know of an elbow replacement. But we now have ankle. I suspect elbow and wrist are next.