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Neurology (Expert Forum)
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This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
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disc
by bklk, Aug 27, 2002 12:00AM
I am a candidate for one of the new artificial discs to replace a degenrated L-5 S1 that has bugged me since 1996. The disc is CoCrMo cobalt chrome moly with a polyethalene core, similar to that used in knees and hip prosthesis. In Europe for 11 year studies there have been no reports of wear debris. This however is my main worry as I am 37 and 40-50 years is a long time with no debris. I want to ask a neurologists opinion of the nature of such potential debris in the proximity of spinal nerves at L5 and S1-2 etc. Would such debris be an iritant do you think it would be relatively inert. Does this debris cuase neuropathy in knees and hips with any consistancy? Or does it simply break down and become hyper mobil again? thank you for you ideas on this concern.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Aug 29, 2002 12:00AM
I did an extensive literature search regarding the wear debris generation of AIDS or artificial intervertebral disks, specifically the one you mentioned. There doesn't seem to be enough data at this time to accurately and absolutely predict what will happen 40 years down the road. However, there is plenty of literature on the wear debris in joint surgeries which show that it will not be inert. Rather, it affects the prosthesis, stimulates a local immune reaction and inflammation, and affects the soft tissues around it. Based on this info, I would speculate that if there was wear debris generation from the AIDS, it would cause similar reactions in the spine region. Having said that, the CoCrMo disk has done pretty well with regard to this matter in laboratory testing. Talk to your surgeon about your concerns. Best of luck.
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