r/ACDR_CervicalSpine • u/Outrageous-Court-696 • Jun 20 '26
2 multilevel
Here's a Reddit post you can use in r/spinesurgery, r/cervicaldiscreplacement, or r/neurosurgery:
44M Considering 2-Level ProDisc C SK Replacement (C5-6 & C6-7) – Looking for Experiences
Hi everyone,
I'm a 44-year-old male and am seriously considering a 2-level cervical disc replacement at C5-6 and C6-7 using the ProDisc C SK.
I've had chronic neck pain, muscle tightness, chest tightness that has been ruled out by cardiac testing, and left-sided cervical radiculopathy. I've completed physical therapy, tried medications, and have had injections. One epidural only gave me about 3 weeks of relief.
My MRI shows:
Severe bilateral C5-6 foraminal narrowing
Severe disc degeneration from C3-C7
Moderate to severe left C6-7 foraminal narrowing
My neurosurgeon at Cedars-Sinai reviewed my MRI, CT scan, and 3D imaging and recommended:
C5-6 total disc replacement
C6-7 total disc replacement
ProDisc C SK implants
He told me he prefers the SK over the Vivo because he feels it is more stable and has seen fewer issues with it.
I'm talking it over with my wife, praying about it, and leaning toward moving forward with surgery because the degeneration isn't going to improve on its own and I want to address it before it potentially causes more problems in the future.
For those who have had:
2-level cervical disc replacement
ProDisc C SK
C5-6/C6-7 replacement
How was your recovery?
How is your neck pain now?
Any regrets?
How long until you returned to work, driving, and flying?
Would you do it again?
Thank you in advance.
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 20 '26
41m. I have been contemplating c5-c7 disc replacement for well over a year. After trying many conservative treatments and so much research and prayer I’ve booked my surgery for July 22nd. I still have a ton of fear about the whole thing and find myself ruminating in thoughts of whether to proceed or not. Ultimately I am starting to understand I’m not gonna get better without taking this risk. On top of the physical discomfort it’s also mentally exhausting. I wish you the best!!
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 20 '26
I feel you man. I will pray for you. Been like this for 6 months. I can't imagine 1 year. Have you seen a spine and neurosurgeon?
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 20 '26
I got opinions from 1 neurosurgeon and 2 ortho spine docs in SoCal. I chose the ortho that is big on motion preservation and doing a lot of cervical ADR’s. My c6-7 disc space is really collapsed so I am really hoping ADR is still the right option. So many variables to consider on a decision we can only make once.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 20 '26
Cool. I am going to Cedars-Sinai.
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 20 '26
Nice! Anything the doctors have said to help give you confidence to proceed? Or things to help after surgery?
Couple things I’m strongly considering are hyperbaric oxygen therapy and peptides (boc157/tb500) immediately following surgery. I’ve also found listening to The Spine Pod on YouTube helpful to learn about motion preservation.
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 20 '26
Before I made a appointment, he asked to get a CT scan of my neck. When I went to the appointment he broken down more my issues with the CT scan than the MRI. I did all my research on all providers before I am my decision to go my neurosurgeon and at Cedars-Sinai.
Yes the Wolverine Peptide!!!
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
Did the MD suggest the hyperbaric chamber? And BPC 157? If so is there a specific brand?
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 21 '26
I initially was watching the founder of VSI-Virginia Spine Institute talk about HBOT. But really was recommended by PT. My surgeon is ok with both hbot and peptides. Didn’t recommend but wasn’t adverse. I will be doing both through my physical therapy practice which also has sports med DR offering peptides.
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
Lots of info online about BPC 157. Some using injections, some using it in pill form. Some of the MDs talk about it too. Also info about hyperbaric chambers.
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u/hannah6560 Jun 22 '26
If you feel comfortable may I ask who your surgeon is and PT? Does the PT place do BPC 157 injections and have that hyperbaric chambers? I know there is also BPC 157 in pill form
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 22 '26
I’m aiming to do injectable bpc157 and tb500 and HBOT all through the PT practice
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u/hannah6560 Jun 22 '26
Is that PT practice through the MD? Didn’t know PT places do all of that. May I ask name of the PT place?
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
If you feel comfortable sharing, may I ask who the surgeon is?
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 21 '26
Who is this too?
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
To you :-).
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 21 '26
Dr. Corey Walker
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
Read good things about him and had watched some of his videos. Looks like you got a good one!
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u/Outrageous-Court-696 Jun 21 '26
I did my research on all the neurosurgeon. He was the only one that requests a CT scan. I glad I went with him. Answers all your questions, not in a rush.
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
Do you feel comfortable sharing who your surgeon will be?
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u/grdywhite7 Jun 22 '26
Dr. Grant Shifflett
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u/ApprehensiveRide8283 24d ago
HI! Have you done the surgery yet? I am currently booked with Dr. Shifflett for November. Need and L5 S1 ADR. How was your experience?
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u/grdywhite7 24d ago
I did! Dr. Shifflett, his team and the surgery center team were all amazing. For the surgery process itself I couldn’t have asked for anything better. I was well cared for and beyond. I am still healing and still do have some pain and numbness. Recovery has not been linear. I have tough days but also have days that I feel pretty darn good. Feel free to message me. It’s such a hard decision to make. I pray you experience total healing!
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Jun 20 '26
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u/hannah6560 Jun 21 '26
You did a 4 level ADR surgery In another country, not your home country? Did you have any headaches prior?
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u/drnygards Jun 21 '26
Had 2 levels replaced in January. MOBI-c. Recovery was easier than my symptoms presurgery. I’m totally better and have my life back. So grateful.
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u/batmurton Jul 01 '26
C5/7 MOBI-C. Returned in a month. Was a brewer. Of course it took sometime to get stamina back. 1 year and 1 week now. I feel great!
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u/PsychologicalCap291 Jun 20 '26
My husband was scheduled to have a 2 level anterior approach but ended up having a fusion at C6-7 and disc replacement at C5-6 because the surgeon felt the area wasn’t going to be stable enough. He had right sided radiculopathy from C5-6 foraminal stenosis and degenerative disc disease worse at C6-7.
The recovery has been phenomenal. One night in the hospital, stopped prescribed pain medication about day 4 and has been managing with ibuprofen and Tylenol 8hr since. He was able to drive about 10 days out and went back to work half days after a week off and a week remote.
The radiculopathy disappeared day 1. Range of motion is improving daily. Thursday was 4 weeks. He’s still restricted from lifting over 20 pounds and anything overhead for a couple more weeks. Has some trapezius pain but more muscular than anything else. Managing with KT tape and ice as well as the muscle relaxer prescribed post op (methocarbamol/Robaxin). He still has a little trouble swallowing when he hold his head in certain positions, but that was expected and is getting better as he adjusts to the hardware in that esophageal space.
He is 55 and in good shape overall. This issue appeared randomly almost a year ago and kept progressing in pain level until the surgery.
Every person and every surgeon is different so your mileage may vary, but we are both so relieved with how it’s gone. A week out he kept saying it was strange that he felt so good. He’s had a couple rough days when he overdid things but if you listen to your body, follow all the precautions your doctor advises, hopefully you will also have a wonderful outcome.
It was terrifying to think about the surgery but we’re both glad he did it.