anterior cervical discectomy vs artifical disc - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

alanhill · 05-02-2003, 12:30 PM

I recently visited a doctor who suggested an anterior cervical discetomy. His clinic DOES NOT perform a replacement with the 1 and a half year old artifical disc (which appears very positive from my reading.

I wish he did both so I could have gotten the best possible suggestion for my problem.

I can't find much lit on one method vs another.

WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD.... generally ?

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KeithEugeneW · 05-03-2003, 04:50 PM

I read a lot of the info on spineuniverse about cervical artificial discs. From what I could see, there are about 10 or so places in the country (it lists them) that are participating in a trial for the new discs (Bryan discs). There are certain prerequisites as far as your condition, and from what I understand 2 out of 3 people get the disc, while 1 out of 3 gets standard ACDF. I believe the recipients don't know what they got as part of the controlled study, but I'm not positive. It looks to me like they show great promise, but like with anything new, sometimes being first in line isn't always the best choice. Of course it's a personal decision that is up to each individual. I understand that they need 2 years of post op studies for the FDA so they can decide to approve them as legitimate treatment. I wish they had started 2 years ago, I'd go myself for a 2 level (they have done some) artificial disc replacement if I knew for sure it was a good choice to make. Good luck in whatever you decide!
Keith

mel333 · 05-05-2003, 11:02 AM

Hi,
I am considering having surgery using the Bryan disc. My NS does them here in Australia. I recently had a discogram which confirmed the bad disc so now I am weighing the whole thing up. I have read all I can on artificial discs and although they are new the research is excellent so far for patient outcomes. There is a good article by Goffin. I can't remember it's name but if you just search under artififcial disc you should find it.
I am seeing my NS soon to talk about it and speak to patients who have had the surgery which I'm sure will help me the most.
Do you have the option to have the artificial disc? I have read that only specific situations like one level, contained herniation etc. Have you had the pain a while?. Take care,
Mel

KeithEugeneW · 05-05-2003, 06:04 PM

I was reading the specs on the artificial discs, specifically the Bryan disc, and I noticed that the diameters of these things are between 14mm and 18mm. I always thought the diameter of a disc in the neck was larger than that. Does anyone know if these fill the enter disc space or are they only supposed to fill part of it? That's only about .55 to .70 of an inch in diameter, seems awfully small to me! I would think that they'd be designed to fill the entire disc space, if nothing more than for stability. Maybe I'm all wet here and that is the true diameter range for human neck vertebrae. I may be misunderstanding that fact, because of all the wild game (deer and bear) I've processed for meat, during which I've noticed the size of their vertebrae. They appear to be much larger than that, maybe around an inch and a half or more.
This point could be irrelevant, unless of course size DOES matter!

calico angel · 05-09-2003, 04:00 PM

Hi-
I asked my NS about the artificial discs and he said he does not do it because they are not approved by the FDA for use in the cervical area. I wanted theat because I assumed in the long run it would be better for me.
As it is I really don't move my neck, so what's the difference if I have a fusion? No pain, eventually, I hope.
Good luck. I hope you find out all of the information you need.
Kelley