Originally Posted by
Jicafold
See what I mean? It would be extremely unlikely if the OP went into the scanner today and found evidence of nerve root impingement considering the absence of his symptoms. Your current MRI reflects your current symptoms. Furthermore, a 4 level artificial disc replacement is not supported by current literature. No more than 2 levels are recommended due to quality literature studies indicating complications with high levels of heterotopic ossification and concerns regarding implant migration. Additionally, cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of 1- and 2-level cervical pathology only, with established long-term safety and effectiveness. Not 3 and 4 levels. "Only a few multilevel studies have reported on 3- and 4-level CDA, and long-term clinical data have not been reported in the literature." There is no way you should let a surgeon do a 4 level ADR on you. Get a 2nd opinion.
You are wrong. Multil-level has been performed successful in Europe for decades. I know all about the **** heads at the FDA and our medical insurances. I have had over 10 opinions including the ones who did the 2 level trials in the USA and TBI. I do not need your advice. Heterotopic ossification has nothing to do with more than 2 levels and since only studies on 2 levels have been conducted in the USA, I wonder how you came up with that tidbit. Implant migration is more related to the design of the particular prosthetic and not the number of levels. The two devices approved in the USA for two levels have this problem. The device I have chosen does not. I have thoroughly studied this matter for at least 6 years and am certain I know more than you do on the topic, for sure because you are limited to what FDA and currently approved device mfgs tell you. What you read clinical trials for EU approved devices? Follow-ups? Have many top EU surgeons have had discussions with?
Just here to tell you are 100% wrong. Pain in neck and shoulders can precede numbness and tingling by years. Not just my experience, see what Stanford says. By the time a patient is finally referred to your Doctor's practice, they may be so badly suffering that they have the full constellation of symptoms BUT tingling and numbness does not precede or necessarily go along pain as you indicated. Once they get referred to your office, studies show 85% will have sensory deficits and nearly 100% will have pain. Nearly everyone that I have conversed with on various online forums started with pain and it took many years before seeing an orthopaedic specialist.
Symptoms most commonly include a sharp pain in the neck, shoulder, arm, hand, or back. A pinched nerve may cause tingling, numbness, or burning. Weakness in the arms or legs also may result. For many people, symptoms get better with time and go away without treatment other than rest and monitoring.
https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medic...d%20monitoring.
When the nerve root becomes irritated or inflamed, this can lead to a patient experiencing neck pain with radiation to the upper limb with or without accompanying weakness, numbness, tingling, or reflex changes.
https://www.drcraigbest.com/spine-ne...hy-chicago-il/
Cervical nerve root irritation or compression may also cause radicular pain along these same cervical nerves with or without radiculopathy.
https://princetonsjc.com/cervical-ra...ness-weakness/
%20the%20middle%20finger.[/QUOTE]
- C5 Radiculopathy – C5 radiculopathy can cause pain in the upper arms and shoulder blades, but numbness or tingling is not usually associated.
https://www.cervicaldisc.com/blog/ce...iddle%20finger.
I'll send an invoice.