Now they are experimenting with artificial discs, discectomys or fusion woek fine on one or two levels but they cause stress on the surrounding discs, which is my problem because I have 4 in a row with a couple bulging ready to blow on each side of those.

The shoulder is doing good, just a couple of things/actions I have had to adapt to. I still have to think through the process of reaching for the phone or the radio in the car as the ocassional unexpected thrust will tickle a nerve or something, not pain really (at least to me) but knowing how my perception compares to the norm if I'm feeling something I have to be careful.

Here's a good account of a disc replacement with some x rays that show the new discs and pictures of the surgical procedure. My spinal cord looked very similar to this patients(in the initial MRI) with the disc pinching the cord down to a very narrow dimension. I had the same symptoms of electric shocks down my arms.

http://www.spinalneurosurgery.com/CR_aritificial_disc.htm

I've seen x-rays of two level disc replacments in the neck and I think I may have heard of a three level, but never a four level.

Thanks for the link, I'll see if i can fit my film in the scanner it looks like that but add 3. At Cleveland Clinic they are pretty clear that as long as I'm functional they don't want to operate due to the increased damage. I am part of a clinical study and they will be doing the multi level as soon as possible. They VA is showing an interest as well and they are even paying for the visits to Cleveland.

The epiderals work pretty good but I have so many levels he can't always get it in one shot. I'm also to the point that mild pain killers don't touch the pain so I have to rethink that situation.

The folks I work for have been very good about doing the lifting for me. I’ve bought carts to move stuff, changed the types of containers in which I carry parts so they weigh less, separated my primary tool kit into 2 containers, and so forth, but it is still very common to have to lift stuff. We do it without having to think about it. For some stuff, such as moving firewood I now make 3x to 4x the number of trips to minimize on the weight. Yet not lifting more than 20 lbs, which any guy can do with a finger, remains a challenge.

Relearning how to do ADL is a big part of the change. Everything wants to be as before but there are many not so subtle reminders. That said i'm amaized at the self-healing ability of the body. As i bet you are!

Here's an account of a two level, along with x rays.

http://www.spinalneurosurgery.com/reversal_fusion.htm

When I looked at this pictures, I remembered something about the conversation I had with the ortho expert who had an artificial disc in Switzerland. He was not happy with the design you see in these two accounts. This design is anchored to the vertabrae surface above and below the disc. He chose a design in which a small flange protrudes from the disc onto the face of the vertabrae above and below. Screws are then attached thru flange and into the front of the vertabrae. He reasoned that it would be very difficult or impossible to remove the disc you see in these accounts, but that the design he chose could be unscrewed and removed without as much difficulty. (The one he chose may have been called a Bristol Disc??) There are at least a couple of patients at ADRSupport who had to have artificial discs removed once they were installed, so this is not a minor consideration.

Sounds like you got it, when I was doing biomed I loved those composite tool boxes that broke into three pieces and had wheels, I also loved those little folding dollys.

I know exactly what you mean. I now keep one of those folding suitcase carts in my car so that when I go to Home Depot I don't have to carry heavy items very far.

Removel of the replacement disc is a major issue if there is an infection you're in big trouble. My dad designed artificial knee implants and that was a big obstacle, especially with the use of cements.

2c
 

Just on the subject of bad back issues....A few years ago I bought an Inversion table , I have a bad neck too and also play alot of bBall on cement and am always getting pulls and out of whack,,,,I've had extreme issues that chiro adjustments wouldn't help and the inversion table fixed in a day....It is very healthy for anyone ...if used properly.........I do't think it's dangerous for severe problems but always check with a doc...

Geez, all this time I though liberals were invertebrates........









I'm only teasing . Glad to hear KerryEdwards surgery seems to have been successful.

I wish they had artificial disks before mine was fused. C-4 thru 7 are fused,
and they can't re-break them.
Pain never went away, can't move my head, trouble swallowing, legs are num,
no Babinski reflex, no urge to urinate. After 14 years there not coming back.

The pain in my neck shoulders and arms,is like eating ice cream with a hole in your tooth.

John

Thanks for the confidence, and sorry to hear about your problems. I'm 37 years old and only one of about 20 docs that I've seen think that fusion would work, most think it would be very irresponible at this point in time.

John:
I believe it was you who posted to my questions last summer recounting your experience. I want to thank you for telling me about your experiences because I was scheduled for a fusion and your comments pushed me to pursue non-fusion alternatives which I learned about over on the Braintalk website.
I don't know if your situation can be remedied, but while I was having surgery with Dr. Jho in Pittsburgh there was another patient he was operating on who had an unsuccessful fusion. I believe Jho was doing an anterior cervical microforaminotomy to relieve his symptoms. It might be worth sending your films to Jho. He'll look at them and tell you whether or not he thinks he can help without a charge.


Kerry