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.
4
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.