Charite Artificial disc Replacement - Back Problems Message Board

jayboy557 · 07-27-2006, 11:26 PM

Has anyone had complications from this procedure. I had it a year ago and my back has started hurting again with radiculopathy on the right and left sides.

I heard that there have been lawsuits lately and that complications have been severe. I heard that the studies left out a lot of details including only 57% improvement in back pain sufferers. Now I am a little worried since my latest MRI showed no problems from my l5-s1 disc. My surgery was on my l4l5.

As far as nerve pain goes, i have pain in both buttocks areas and my right hip. my left foot also hurts and my thighs. is it commons to have foot pain. Thanks, Jason

Justoneofus · 07-28-2006, 08:27 AM

With back trauma (injury/surgery/etc) yes, foot pain is a common issue. It's is usually due to the nerves.

I was scheduled for the Charite ADR in March 06, but my insurance would not pay for it. So I had a minimally invasive posterior fusion done at L4/L5 April 18.

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I have not heard of any lawsuits regarding failed ADRs with all my research and communications with others. If it had been approved, I would have indeed gone that route. The ADR leaves your spine with the ability to move at that level. It could possibly be that "movement" is causing your pain. Maybe you may end up needing a fusion there if it does not improve. Just a thought.

My surgeon who does the Charite' and I talked very extensively about the ADR and he said that insurances are still not wanting to pay for it. Therefore, he has not done too many to date because of that.

He was pleased with the fusion results I have and said.. maybe this was the best thing for me at this point anyway.

Has an EMG or Discogram been ordered for you yet? MRI's dont show it all. My L4/L5 disk rupture was only discovered during the discogram. All the surgeons including this one assumed my bulging L5/S1 was causing my 3 years of pain. The discogram never phased me at L5/S1.. where L4/L5 sent my leg flying off the table.

So you need more testing to try and get to the heart of the issue. It may not be the ADR at all or symptom of it.. such as movement in that area, irritating your nerves, etc.

Please let me know how you are doing going forward. I hope you get relief soon. Tammy

zeroman · 07-28-2006, 02:31 PM

actually there is a class action lawsuit going on (or maybe its been shot down already) against the charite adr. Ive not really done any research on it but it does (or did) exist. last I heard it was late 2005 that this was going on.

it had to do (as i remember) with mis representing the disc and falsifying trial data. of course I have no idea if any of thats true or not.

I would take any of those class action suites with a grain of salt anyway, some lawyers will sue anything and hope the jurers and judges are not informed enough to make the right decision. no offence to any lawyers out there, there are good ones

etIII · 07-28-2006, 09:05 PM

Hello Jayboy,
$11,500 for the device and $50,000 for the surgery. With no guaranties, no warranty either.
Hope you find your answer!
Good luck!
Ed

Jerree4 · 10-30-2010, 05:45 PM

I'm a female in my forties that received a Charite' implant a few years ago. I have suffered through 5 hospital stays and numerous ER visits over the past three years. I have spent a total of 48 days in the hospital; some of these in the ICU where I lost almost 1000mL of blood upon removal when a major vein was severed. I have had the implant put in. I was fused. I had the implant taken out. I am on a hefty amount of narcotics just to be able to get out of bed. My pain is exponentially higher than it was before electing to get the implant from my ill advised doctor. My life has been ruined. I cannot work. Most days I cannot even get out of bed or do so late in th afternoon. I suffer from mid back, lower back, hip, flank, leg, perineal, clitoral, bladder and rectal numbness, neuralgia and weakness. I cannot urinate freely. I have virtually no peristalsis. I now use a cane. Worst off all, I have no children..... AND, presently, 99.9%probability of never having the capacity to carry one. I have lost my job, my home, my friends, my savings, my hope, my joy of life. My time is spent in a bedroom where I lay in agony most of the time with my two wonderful cats that bring me comfort and support. There are times when I cannot get in the tub for four days at a time, I cannot comb my hair, get dressed, etc. I get out of the house maybe once or twice a month......If I did not have the wonderful husband that I have, I would be spending my time alone, helpless.... Thank God for him.

PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU ARE FEELING NOW??

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayboy557

Has anyone had complications from this procedure. I had it a year ago and my back has started hurting again with radiculopathy on the right and left sides.

I heard that there have been lawsuits lately and that complications have been severe. I heard that the studies left out a lot of details including only 57% improvement in back pain sufferers. Now I am a little worried since my latest MRI showed no problems from my l5-s1 disc. My surgery was on my l4l5.

As far as nerve pain goes, i have pain in both buttocks areas and my right hip. my left foot also hurts and my thighs. is it commons to have foot pain. Thanks, Jason