Question
QUESTION: I am a 53 year old woman and I had never had a broken bone until last Dec. 2013. I tripped and fell hard on concert breaking my left arm. Three months later they found my broken tailbone and four months later when I was getting worse they found three injured disc in my neck with the C4-5 vertebrae broken and compressing on my spine with some pieces actually sticking in the left side of my spine.
I did not want fusion. So it's 9 months later and I have tried all non invasive therapy to no avail. Weakness, numbness and pain in both shoulders, arms and hands, worse on the left side. My surgeon has offered me a chance to enter a clinical trial for the German M6 Artifical Disc. I understand the artificial disc will replace my disc trying to find out what will replace the broken vertebrae. Cadaver bone? The M6 has good results in Europe over the last decade. I have repeatedly been told I should never have left the hospital without surgery and in danger of permanent spinal injury. Still I am uncertain about neck surgery. Any reply is appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Melissa,

That is quite a circumstance and I'm glad you are OK. I think that surgery is probably the only way. It cannot hurt to get a second or even third opinion from surgeons. I am not a surgeon, so I cannot advise, however, vertebroplasty is one way they can deal with the vertebra. I don't think they will actually replace the whole bone, and vertebroplasty would be one way to help stabilize the area. I would certainly get a second opinion, however, this does need to be taken care of and I think you will be fine. I wish you all the best.

Kind regards,

Dr. Steve

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QUESTION: Thank you Dr. Steve!

Answer
Hi Melissa,

My pleasure.

I see your in SC. I went to school and spent many years practicing there. So, second opinion - Charleston & Columbia. I know the University Medical School in Charleston does some great work.

All the best!

Dr. Steve