Subsidence in my C5/6 Prodisc

[mmglobal]

I'll be posting much more later.

I don't know if this is good news or bad news, but I have a structural problem in my neck. The second prosthesis, at C5/6, has the superior plate very substantially subsided up into the C5 vertebral body.

This is good news if the structural issue is causing my pain syndrome because then we have something to fix. It would be benign news, if this structural issue is asymptomatic, and does not need to be addressed. This will be bad news, if this is also symptomatic but is in addition to my long standing thoracic problem. At this point I have no idea. It could be all, nothing, or something in the middle.

Obviously, i'm talking to all the right guys. We shall see what the next round of diagnostics bring. I'll keep you posted.

Take a look at the image below. I have added the yellow lines to demonstrate where the plates should be sitting. The top one at C3/4 is normal, but you can see from the very oblique view of the top plate at C5/6 that it has really moved.

[Maria]

Mark,
So will you be getting a discogram to see if this structural occurrence could be the cause of pain? What would the repair options be if it were?

Are there many documented cases like this or have the surgeons you're in contact with seen this very much with cervical cases?

Good luck.. sounds kind of scary to me though you do know all the right people re getting answers, etc.~ that part is good news.

Maria

[vnf]

I got a headache just looking at those pictures!
Mark, you have a big advantage and that's knowing many
expert doctor's and you are very educated when it comes to this topic.
Still sucks!
Please keep us posted as to what happens next.
BTW: I guess this means it wasn't your thoracic after all

[mmglobal]

Maria... no discogram planned.... that would be for suspected discogenic pain, but there is no disc there to be painful. I did have a discogram at the degenerated thoracic level but it was negative.

Vicki, yes it is good news IF AND ONLY IF this structural issue we see is responsible for my pain syndrome. Could be it... could be a distraction... could be another problem that is in addition to what we have thought of as "my thoracic issue".

The only new news is that I have not done much yet. I'm shocked that I'm not pinging everyone... I still feel like my head is spinning (yay, preserved motion) and have not effectively addressed it. My pain has been so much worse over the last few months... it's been tough to get anything done. We recently upped my meds and I'm starting to enjoy a slight honeymoon at the new med level, but unfortunately, that is only translating into feeling OK for a few hours at a time. I still can't figure out the, "OK, I feel better... what can I get away with doing?" issues. I'd like to sneak up on a feeling good time and go sneak a few skydives in!!!

Mark

[Maria]

Ok Mark.. didn't know if maybe a different cervical level (non ADR) might be the cause of your symptoms/pain hence the discogram question. I realize that the subsidence area is what I guess needs to be further checked out re pain related to this though hadn't thought about distraction pain as I guess I thought that was more of a recent post op phenomenon.

I'm sorry to read that you're experiencing more pain and needed to up the dose of your pain meds. I don't know what you symptoms or what type of pain you're experiencing or how your extremities might be affected (other than I recall difficulty typing re supposedly thoracic related pain?). Anyway I'm sure with all the specialists you know when you're ready to ring people up you'll have lots of input/ideas/possible answers.

Still pain sucks and increased pain and decreased mobility sucks too. Don't wish that on anyone for any reason.

I just thought of Taffy.. how she's doing? I'll be getting Lola back soon. I couldn't walk her for the last year re the posterior tibial tendonitis I have in both ankles however I just graduated from wearing an orthotic brace combination bilaterally for 9 months to just orthotics so Edgar will be returning Miss Lola to me shortly. She's got CHF and been on two cardiac meds twice/day plus Lasix twice/day so she's slowed down greatly.

** editing now.. don't bother to answer what I asked about Taffy.. don't want to cause you any additional pain typing. If you've ever a free moment and feel like catching up please call.. I know your schedule is more full than mine so if you feel like calling some time that'd be cool. take care Mark and my best to you~
ok bye for now!

[henry4956]

Mark, my thoughts and prayers go out. That does not look good, but I'm sure you will get this figured out.

Your friend,
Henry

[sahuaro]

I've read this thread several times without being able to respond because it is upsetting and anxiety-producing (since I also have a C5/C6 artificial disk).

Mark, I am so sorry. As you suggest, this finding may provide some answers. Are you having problems swallowing? Have you checked your bone density?

From your knowledge of the literature, what is the frequency of subsidence with cervical ADR's?

Please keep us updated.

Maria: It's great that you've improved enough to take care of Lola again. Unfortunately, cardiac problems are common in mini schnauzers, which is why they've been used in cardiac research. My mini schnauzer, Ziggy, is now 13 1/2 and despite some loss of hearing and what looks like some arthritis, can be very frisky and energetic; sometimes he has his old puppy look; other times, he looks old and tired.

[vnf]

Need to remove for personal reasons

[Jim M2]

Mark, I hope you can get it sorted out and find the smoking guns.