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Discussion

Cervical fixation devices

First,,,, I'd like to say hi to everyone,,, It's been a long time since I've been able to visit the site,,, or anyother for that matter,,,

Hope all are well to the old members I was familiar with and hello to the new ones.

This time I need some input for myself,, any information or suggestions as to which way to direct me will be so apprieciated.

Twelve years ago I had a discetomy between C5 and C7 with insertion of a cervial fixation device. A titanium plate and a bone graft.

This past summer, pain changed and I found out the plate had fractured into two pieces. The screws still are fixed.

Trying to do research on the manufacturer of the plate has been difficult. My surgical report, doctor, and the hospital all tell me it is a "mosher system",,, The company may have changed hands. I don't know,,, I do know this has changed the quality of my life greatly.

I now cannot work, waiting for disablity to start and trying to figure out who I am without working, I miss nursing, hate the limited mobility.

As I've said I'd appriecaite greatly, advice, information, direction on anything regarding this,

I have sold my home, moved back to my parents, hope to visit the site more often as I miss it,,,,,

Have a Happy Easter Nik~

Featured Replies

Sorry to hear you have problems. Any pain in the spine or neck can be unbearable. I had surgery 4 yrs ago and luckily no problems. Sorry i dont have any info on your mosher system.

But, rather than getting out of nursing all together and having to do disablility, have you thought of seeing about employment with one of the insurance companies that have telephone triage type setups. I know of a couple that have hotlines to use for questions about care, symptoms that might need checked by a doctor but the patient isnt quite sure. Have you considered something like that? I would think you could even do that from home.

  • Author

Thank you so much for your reply and advise, I will definitly look into those options,

This is so new, learning to deal with the loss of mobility, pain, attempting to find out how to live life with the best quality I can.

And once again, anyone who may be able to direct me in anyway to finding who manufactured the 'mosher system' would be so apprieciated.

This has been a major life change and moment by moment I am adjusting.

It is nice to be back here though,,, Seems forever since I sat at the pc,

Have a wonderful Easter, Nik~

Yep,, keep us posted about how things are going. I just hate to see the nursing world lose a good experienced nurse. Hope you can find something from home and keep your feet in the water.

  • Experts

I used to do alot of neurosurgery including alot of spinal fixation and have never heard of that company. Also could not find any link to them. Are you planning on having this device replaced? If you have a bone graft with it, chances are it is simialr to any of the other plating systems that are out there. Normally they can replace it with a plate from another manufacturer with out any problems. Screws are easily removed and another plate put in. I think that would be the smartest suggestion becuase you no longer have the proper support that you require.

Is there any reason that this has not been recommended? Where are you located?

:balloons:

  • Author

Regarding replacement of the plate~my surgeon says unless nerve impengment in continual or spinal cord in danger he will not replace the plate,

From the x-rays it appears the plate has broken between C6-C7 the bottom 1/3 of the plate separated from the top 2/3'rds, mobility which was limited has greatly decreased and when the edges of the fracture 'pinch' the myofacia tissue in the area, the pain is like no other I've experienced.

Basically, I was told you are a nurse you have the equipement you need~tens unit, traction, heat ice, medication~ "If it hurts don't do it",,,,

As a person who is used to working long shifts, being DON of an assisted living facility and constanly occupied with my career, this has been, and is the hardest transition of my life.

I have been trying to do as much research on this as I can and as my neck and arms allow me, to date I haven't found anyone who has had a fixture fracture.

And as I've asked,,, I am interested in any opinion, direction, anyone can give, and thank you so much for it.

Take care, Nik~

  • Experts

I would definitely get another opinion. Your plate is fractured, therefore you do not have the support that you need. Sounds very fishy to me.

Definitely not sure why the plate broke, but it is broken, and should be replaced. For some reason it must have had a weak stress point in it. If you can no longer do what you were doing, and because of this plate, then it needs to be changed. You shouldn't limit yourself because of what one doctor tells you.

Especially as being a nurse, get a different doctor and get several other opinions from neurosurgeons and the sooner the better before you have permanent problems that they can't repair.................

Good luck and please keep us posted.......... :balloons:

  • Experts

Synthes (Mosher) makes a titanium plate. I think it has a fixed number of holes as opposed to multiple holes some of the others have. It's been a long time since I have had exposure to OR doings.

Have you done an FDA recall or adverse event search? I have a friend in Australia who has the same thing and she is going through the gauntlet trying to prove the plate fracture is causing the pain. I agree with a 2nd opinion.

hello, nakita! i only have a (((((hug))))) to offer an to say, you are missed.

  • Author

P RN,,,,, thank you so much for the 'synthes' info,, and I will do an Fda recall,,, and an adverse event search,,, I have gotten so much support and info. from here I should of started here first,,, Just not thinking clearly as all this has happened so fast.

I always have gotten the best support and infomation from this site, and it is nice to know it hasn't changed,,, Love ((( hugs ))) to you and thank you.

Regarding proving the plate is causing problems,, I don't think I will have that much trouble,, (maybe I am being niave in this) but the muscle spasms,, most of the symtoms it is causing are evident even to a lay person,,,

I have had one second opinion in florida, and now that I am in NC I am planning on seeking opinions here,

I am so glad I have been able to reconnect with the all nurses family and I hope you have all had a wonderful Easter,,, take care,,, Nik~

  • Experts

If you are symptomatic, you are having problems. Sorry that I didn't remember that Mosher merged with Synthes. I have always known it by that brand. Just have never seen one of those break...............especially in a neck because you normally do not see a strong force against the neck.

Hope that you get this taken care of soon so that you can actually get some relief..................

:balloons:

  • Author

I received the surgical report from the hospital via fax today,,, the fixation device wasn't mosher (morscher),,, it is aesculap,,, and currently awaiting a return phone call from them,,, If anyone has information on this company and fixture I'd apprieciate the information,,,

Thanks once again for all your help,, btw,, the screws are from Synthes,,, and Braun distributes the fixation device for aesculap

have a good one,,, Nik~

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