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Lawsuits Multiply For Johnson & Johnson's Charite Spine Disc

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According to the Institute of Medicine, over a million Americans are severely injured each year by medical devices.

In 2002 alone, the FDA received more than 111,000 reports of adverse events involving medical devices.

That number has increased since the Charite artificial spinal disc was approved for use in the US in October 2004. As of July 2006, there have been more than 130 serious adverse events reported to the FDA associated with its use.

Examples of the serious adverse events include: migration of the artificial disc resulting in either removal of the disc or maintaining the disc, both followed by fusion; pedicle fractures; subsidence or a settling of the disc into the bone; and nicking of an vein or artery.

Professor Karin Büttner-Janz and Professor Kurt Schellnack, considered to be leading spine specialists, originally developed the Charite disc at the Charite University Hospital in Berlin, Germany in the mid-1980s. Further refinements to the design were later incorporated at Waldemar Link GmbH, a European based medical device maker.

In 2003, DePuy Spine, a division of Johnson & Johnson, acquired the Link Spine Group, and gained exclusive worldwide rights to the Charite.

According to Spine Health.com, the Charite is approved for patients who have severe lower back pain and have obtained little or no pain relief after at least 6 months of non-surgical treatments, such as pain medications, physical therapy, injections, or manipulation. "The FDA clearance for disc replacement," the site says, "is for one level of the lower spine, and it must be done at one of the two lowest levels of the spine (L4-L5 or L5-S1)."

The device was approved to relieve pain by replacing the damaged disc with the Chirate disc, as an alternative to the surgical procedure known as lumbar spinal fusion surgery

Spinal fusion surgery works to stop motion at the painful level of the spine. In this procedure, implants are used to help provide initial fixation, such as metal screws, rods and cages, and are inserted between the vertebrae. Because the fusion eliminates the motion in the lumbar segment of the spine, if the surgery is successful, the pain is reduced or eliminated.

When done correctly for the right indications, experts say, a fusion has a high success rate in relieving pain. However, because it limits the range of motion, extra stress may transfer to the discs above and below the fusion site.

An artificial disc is supposed to allow continued motion in the spinal segment, and therefore, the Charite was thought to be a viable alternative to spinal fusion surgery for patients with the right indications.

However, in the paper, "Total Disc Replacement for Chronic Low Back Pain: Background and a Systematic Review of the Literature," by M de Kleuver, F Oner, W Jacobs in the European Spine Journal Volume 12, Number 2, April 2003, the authors determined that despite the fact that these devices have been implanted for almost 15 years, on the basis of this literature survey there are currently insufficient data to assess the performance of total disc replacement adequately.

There is no evidence, the paper said, that disc replacement reliably, reproducibly, and over longer periods of time fulfils the three primary aims of clinical efficacy, continued motion, and few adjacent segment degenerative problems.

Total disc replacement, they said, seems to be associated with a high rate of re-operations, and the potential problems that may occur with longer follow-up have not been addressed.

Therefore, the authors advised, total disc replacements should be considered experimental procedures and should only be used in strict clinical trials.

J&J beat out competitors Stryker and Medtronic by securing approval of the Charite, but many surgeons have criticized the FDA for approving the device and ignoring over 17 years of evidence related to its use Europe, including a study showing that more than half of recipients had fair or poor results.

The FDA approved the Chirate based on the results of a single two-year clinical trial, that was designed to merely establish that the Charite disc worked at least as well as the Bagby and Kuslich cages (BAK) used in spinal fusions.

The trial was conducted at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas, on 304 patients, and was led by a team of surgeons that included Dr Scott Blumenthal, Dr Barton Sachs, and Dr Stephen Hochschuler, who are considered to be among the best spine surgeons in the field. Dr Blumenthal presented the results of the trial at a hearing before an FDA advisory panel.

A transcript of the June 2, 2004, hearing, reveals the agency's own reviewer found the study to be biased in favor of Charite, and that important data about patients had been excluded. A voting member of the panel, Brent Blumenstein, complained about omitted patients during the hearing, but went on to vote for approval anyways.

In a nutshell, the study basically showed no significant differences in complications between the Charite group and the spinal fusion group.

According to Sergio del Castillo, a biochemical engineer, and the FDA's lead reviewer of the Charite approval application, the "purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Charite and compare it to the BAK Interbody Fusion device."

The study was to show that the Charite would be at least as good as the BAK within a non-inferiority margin of 15%, Mr del Castillo explained, and was not designed to demonstrate superiority of one group over the other.

The first five subjects at each investigational site were treated with the Charite as part of the training of the surgeons and they were not included in the final assessment of effectiveness of the devices.

The success rates for the Charite and the BAK groups were 64% and 58 percent, respectively. Considering the overall success rate is within a non-inferiority margin of 10% of the BAK success rate, "it appears the study has demonstrated the non-inferiority of the Charite compared to the BAK," Mr del Castillo told the panel.

Adverse events in the study, he explained, were categorized as typical or unusual, severe or life threatening, device related or not device related, severe and device related occurring within two days of surgery and by date of onset.

The percentage of Charite and BAK subjects experiencing at least one adverse event, he said, was essentially equal. However, Mr del Castillo said some adverse events were reported in a higher percentage of Charite subjects compared to the BAK group, and included infection, abdominal events, device related events and severe life threatening events.

He noted that 7.3% of Charite subjects experienced adverse events compared to 4% of BAK subjects. A greater percentage of Charite patients experienced: (1) back or lower extremity pain; (2) neurological events, such as numbness, motor deficit or nerve root injury; and (3) additional surgery at the index level.

It should be noted, he advised, that the rate of adverse events was higher in the training group compared to the randomized subjects in the study and pointed out that training subjects were not included in the assessment of safety.

Safety and effectiveness in the study were evaluated in terms of the complications that arose during implantation and post-operatively including infection, thrombosis, migration and subsidence, re-operation, the incidence of adverse events, the level of the subject's disability and assessment of the subject's neurological status.

The primary endpoint for effectiveness consisted of four components: (1) pain in function as measured by the ODI; (2) any device failures requiring revision, re-operation or removal; (3) any major complications; and (4) neurological status.

A surgery was determined to be a success if the subjects: (1) ODI score increased by at least 25% at 24 months compared to the subject's baseline score; (2) experienced no device failures requiring revision, re-operation or removal; (3) did not experience any major complications defined as major blood vessel injury, neurological damage or nerve root injury; and (4) the subject's neurological status was maintained or improved at 24 months with no new permanent neurological deficits compared to baseline.

An individual subject was considered a success only if he or she was a success in all four components, Mr del Castillo advised the panel.

The study was defined as a success if the success rate of the Charite group was found to be non-inferior to the overall success rate of the BAK group, and safety was assessed by comparing the rate of incidence of all adverse events observed in the two groups.

The secondary effectiveness endpoints, according to Mr del Castillo, consisted of all the primary endpoint components, listed previously, which are pain in function as measured by ODI, device failures requiring a revision, re-operation or removal, any major complications and neurological status.

A Danish surgeon, Dr Andre van Ooij, also testified at the hearing, and advised the panel about the known complications associated with the Charite, and provided the members with visual slides showing the adverse events that occurred in a number of patients.

Dr van Ooij tracked hundreds of surgeries in Europe and in eight years, he treated 49 Charite patients, 28 women and 28 men, with some their surgeries performed as early as 1989. All of these patients, he noted, suffered terrible leg and back pain after the device was implanted and many were unable to undergo a surgical revision of the disc due to the dangers involved in spinal surgery.

Dr van Ooij also advised that some men implanted with the device suffered retrograde ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, and others patients suffered leg complications and joint degeneration.

"One big issue that was not spoken about today," he pointed out, "is breakage of the metal wire."

"If you look good at the x-rays," he advised the panel while showing a slide, "you can see the breakage and the flattening of the polyethylene core and probably also some wear debris."

Overall, more than half of the patients in Europe ended up with fair or poor results after the disc was implanted.

Orthopedic and spine surgeon, John Peloza, also testified at the hearing and told the panel that first and foremost, the Charite disc had to last the lifetime of the patient and that the average age of a person that would be a candidate for the procedure is about the mid-40s.

"I think it is critical that these implants last for the life of the patients," he said, "because revision surgery to remove the implant particular from an anterior approach will be potentially life threatening in every case."

"And at present," he advised, "there is no consistently successful strategy to deal with a failed implant."

"I don't think the polyethylene as they have in this implant will last anywhere near 40 years or the lifetime of the patient," he advised.

In addition, he said the fixation of the disc to the bone was compromised.

"The metal base is secured with a press fit with little spikes," he explained. "This is not adequate and will predictably fail," he added.

There are published studies, he told the panel, that show significant re-operation rates between 5 and 20 percent with complication rates reported greater than 10 percent.

As for results in regard to pain relief, the clinical studies in Europe and Australia, he said, essentially report results equivalent to fusion in regard to pain relief.

After listening to all the testimony about the dangers of the Charite disc, in the end, the FDA advisory panel's vote for approval of Charite was unanimous.

Seven months later, on May 13, 2005, the Street.com, reported that Dr Charles Rosen, an associate clinical professor of spine surgery at the University of California at Irvine, was calling for an immediate recall of the Charite, pointing out fundamental flaws in J&J's study design.

He told the Street that J&J compared the Charite to BAK cages in spinal fusions, a failed procedure that had not been performed in years. According to Dr Rosen, the comparison is "the worst possible operation to compare these things to."

J&J responded by saying the BAK was the standard treatment for degenerative disc disease at the time of the study.

According to the Street, Dr Rosen said J&J ignored the first patients who underwent the surgery, and that exclusion of such a significant portion of the sample size can seriously compromise the quality of statistical data.

Dr Rosen, who is also the founder of the UCI Spine Center, told the Orange County Register on April 12, 2006, that the Charite can cause more pain than it cures.

Forty-five year old, Dane Titsworth, from a hospital bed at UCI Medical Center, recovering from his fourth back surgery, told the Register, that the pain he experienced with the Charite he had implanted in May 2005, was like driving a big rig over your legs.

After the Charite surgery, Mr Titsworth said the pain became unbearable and cost him his job with State Farm Insurance, and nearly his marriage.

Dr Rosen fused the part of his spine where another surgeon had implanted the disc.

The Charite does not absorb shock like a healthy disc or mimic natural motion, Dr Rosen told USA Today on July 25, 2006, and a dislocation or fracture of the disc can also cause problems, he said.

In March 2006, Dr Rosen says, eight more patients like Mr Titsworth contacted him, who have more pain in their back with the Charite than without it.

In May 2006, Medicare decided to stop paying for the device in patients over 60, noting that the $30,000 to $50,000 surgery had not been sufficiently tested for long-term affects.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield also determined that more research was needed over a longer period of time, although insurance plans in each state determine coverage decisions individually, according to USA Today.

On October 20, 2005, the Bagolie Friedman law firm announced the formation of the "International Charite Artificial Disc Practice Group," based on a belief that numerous people in the US and abroad, "suffer Charite artificial disc failure," and that "Johnson and Johnson is responsible for manufacturing a medical device they knew or should have known was unreasonably dangerous in an attempt to capture some of the lucrative multi billion dollar back surgery market."

"We will be reviewing potential cases from the United States, Australia and Europe," said Mr Bagolie.

On June 5, 2006, the Street.com reported that Chicago-based attorney, Pete Flowers, has more than 200 clients who have complications from the Charite and who are seeking reparations from DePuy Spine.

Twenty-eight lawsuits have been filed, Mr Flowers told the Street, and he expects an additional 40 to 50 more to be filed this month. Dane Titsworth is a client of the firm.

Mr Flowers' clients claim the Charite is defective and that J&J improperly marketed the device and did not adequately warn of the disc's dangers.

"Most of these people are between 25 and 45 years old," he told the Street.com. "A lot of them have lost their jobs, their spouses, their families, their houses -- everything."

Since the disc was approved in the US, more than 5,000 people have received the implant, says DePuy Spine's Bill Christianson, vice president of regulatory affairs, according to USA Today on July 25, 2006.

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READER COMMENTS

Posted by

on
I had an artificial charite disk replacement at L4L5 level in 2004 in Boston Mass. I have had nothing but pain. Disk replacement is crooked and it moves aroumd and it sucks...Had4 surgeons tell me im done and will not touch me.

Posted by

on
in 2017 i had 2 disc replaced C-4-5 and 5-6 thy both collapsed and a part got lodged into my throat making it hard to eat or drink without chocking. ON JULY 8th 2021 i had a fusion on from c3-c7 ans the chunk of the disc removed out of my throat. i am a single mother of 3 and getting the disc made it harder to do anything with pain everyday i am now healing and trusted my different surgent he did a better job.

Posted by

on
I had the Charite disc surgery in Dec 2005 at L5. For the past 12 yrs I have had chronic pain and I am now considering revision surgery with posterior fusion. My facet joints are in bad shape and I have SI joint issues as well. Add to this my L4 has issues aswell. Reading other comments is like looking in mirror. Have been on pain meds for 12 yrs and was considering Spinal Cord Stimulator but 2 surgeons suggested that I not do it. I have had no luck with legal side as many have turned down even though there is plenty of research stating the issues and the lack of FDA trial period for device.

Posted by

on
I had L5/S1 Charite replacement in DALLAS, at first the pain was much better but I developed infections that invaded my lymph system. I can now predict much of my pain as my lymph nodes enlarge and a rash develops. About 6 years in the device started clicking and pain has been awful. All the usual suspects. I have had numerous operations since then and do everything possible to act like I have a life. I’m not a narcotic fan and will only take post surgery. I follow a daily routine of twenty minutes on ice every 2.5 hours with some success. I use high grade CBD paste and CBG oil.
Most doctors will not see me. It is a living nightmare. Sleep deprivation might be the worst symptom as it ruins your daily life. People need to realize many of these doctors were on the take in a round about way. J&J set up an elaborate subterfuge through seemingly third party foundations and charities.
It requires discovery but most of you will find that your doctor benefitted in many ways with hidden benefits distributed through foundations which in turn supported the doctors and their clinics. Most are smug about this because they have been insured that this subterfuge can not be exposed.. really do your homework and you will find an alternate money trail to the benefit of your physician. If you are in Texas it is almost a surety. If you count vacations, high end dinners, tickets etc. - they all had some type of financial incentive whether they admit it ( none will) or not. We got scammed

Posted by

on
Charite disc installed at L5S1 2004. Did everything after surgery to the t and watched what I lifted. I'm 5'-9" and about 165# age 51 now. After the first year I started feeling some pain in my facet joint areas and it kept getting a little more each year. In 2011 (ish) I went through a bunch of tests and they said the pain was also in my SI joints. I am afraid of more surgeries and tired of being poked and prodded on. Since 2006 I have been on a very low dose of hydrocodone and Tylenol ( for example. 250 mg of Tylenol (half of a 500) and half a pill of hydrocodone 7.5-325. Three doses per day) , would get me through the work day. That's 1- 1/2 hydrocodone a day. Same dose for over 12 years. But now.... the government considers me a drug abuser and I'm on my last prescription and have cut back to 1/2 pill per day. Not sure how much pain I can deal with but I'm about to find out I guess.

Posted by

on
I had my l5-s1 done in 2004 never been the same since always in pain whatever happened to the lawsuit mine was done in Canada

Posted by

on
I had a double level charite disc replacement L5/S1 and L4/L5 in 2007. Initially i had a good outcome but 18mths later i started getting progressively worse back pain and sciatica. Tests and scans were eventually done which found S1/L5 had collapsed and the core was no where to be seen it was basically metal on metal.i was monitored for two years with 6 monthly xrays. I then managed to shread 68lbs of weight and my symptoms although still there were not as intense. I then went through a gradual decline until 2016 when i was found to have developed a rotation and scoliosis in my lumbar. The degeneration of my discs now spanned 12 levels so my new surgeon fused my spine from S1 to T9. I am in cronic pain now and my quality of life is 40% of what it was before all of these surgeries. I live with sciatica down to my pinky toe and hypersensitivity accross my lumber daily. I have been in pain clinic for 9yrs and nothing seems to help. Im in the uk so cannot sue as i left it too late.

Posted by

on
I had a disc replacement in 2009. I had an on the job injury that destroyed my L3,L4, L5 and S1. Since then I have been in excruciating pain. Numbness in my legs and I've been on pain meds constantly. The disk didn't stabilize so they had to do a second procedure of fusion. Do I have a chance at living a minimal pain free life? I thought the disc replacement would help. I am now totally disabled.

Posted by

on
I had a Charite 3 implanted at L5/S1 on May 2002 as the result of an army parachuting accident. In May 2004, after 2 weeks retraining, I returned to work as a security guard, Veterans Affairs default occupation for injured soldiers. I did 3 weeks on the job training in airport security, only 4 hour shifts, but suffered a lot of pain. To save huge drama I found another security job, though painful was better than airport security. By mid 2006, I was still on strong pain relief and other medications, NOTE - During this time I was reasonably happy as prior to surgery I was in bed 23hrs per day and pain was chronic and severe. So been able to work and conduct physical activity made me happy though it was painful. In 2006 my GP who knew me very well, ie 6 years, recommended I be removed from the security industry, Veterans Affairs scoffed at this, so I continued in pain in an industry that here in Australia covers tasks way beyond the scope of official descriptions. By October 2014 things began to change for the worse. The pain was increasing,spreading and more varied in nature. CT scans showed a lot of facet joint degeneration at other levels and a new minor bulge. Been part of an ongoing study I sent my surgeon a letter with the study explaining I had been of work for 6 months at the time and was in bad shape. His response shocked me as I had by now read this and many other journals that demonstrated beyond any doubt that the Charite 3 is a fatally flawed device. He wanted me to fly 3000km so he could examine me, at 1st I was willing, but then on further consideration thought no way. A staff member when I questioned his reason for such an extraordinary request stated" He wishes to examine you to find out how you could be so bad as to be of work for 6 months" I found this offensive though it appears work is the measure of all things in these compensation systems,private or government. I am seeing a Nuero Surgeon on the 8/12/15. My main concern is that based on initial research that the vast amount of evidence from Europe and the USA is being ignored here by surgeons, my surgeon for example disclosed he had a financial interest in the research, it's 2015, the Charite 3 went out of production in 2010, surgeons here in Australia must know the device is a failure since I do, yet it seems denial or cognitive dissonance reign supreme here in Australia. My back problem ruined my 1st marriage and now my life has changed dramatically for the worse and I'm one of the lucky ones as I did have about 10 years of general, but controlled normality. If it wasn't for work I may have hung on longer before this collapse.But to conclude, the charite 3 has really failed me.

Posted by

on
Hi my name is Robin, I had my total disc replacement in 2007. Upon my first week visit I explained to my doctor that my back and leg pain was severe, worse then before the surgery. His response was "you just
had major surgery, it will take time to heal". Well upon my subsequent visits the same results and same answer. Exactly a year later I proceed to my visit but this time it was different. I explained again of my pain and the severity of it, he proceeds to tell me" you should not be hurting, I fixed you". He then proceeds to get a stool ( which by the way had never done before) to help me off the table and says "I wouldn't want you to fall and have a lawsuit against me". Needless to say I was very insulted and could not believe the arrogance of this man. I have been on so much pain medication and spend thousands of dollars a year for them only to be called a drug head. I am now in the process of getting it removed and I am terrified. I have three boys, a husband, and a very loving family. I thank God for their support through all these years of a person they once knew to the woman I have become. 2007 the Robin they knew was gone. I pray that I can have this surgery successfully, and become the person I was before the charite disc ruined my life, and my families future. Thank you for listening to my story, and I pray for each and everyone of you a successful new life without charite.

Posted by

on
I had an itital one level fusion, C5-C6 with a BAK cage packed with "artificial bone" in Nov 2001. July 2003 I was in surgery again to remove the BAK cage which had cause severe spinal stenosis due to bone overgrowth and migration of the cage. The cage had to be removed along with the anterior portions of the spne above and below the fusion. The very interesting thing about that surgery is a representative of the company who made the BAK cage was in the operating room and took it after it was removed. The surgeon used a traditional plate with cadaver bone to graft the 3 levels. That fusion cause a pseudoarthrosis because it did not fuse at the bottom portion, and I was back in surgery again in Nov 2005. The third surgery required a posterior fusion with placement of rods and pedicle screws, and a window to relieve the spinal stenosis. My neck is fused from C2-C7. I have severe nerve pain, nerve damage, and now I think that I have stenosis again at a higher level. The side of my face is numb, I live with headaces daily, the hearing comes and goes in one ear, double vision, and I have trouble swallowing. If I could do it over, I would live with the one ruptured disc. More damage was done to correct the problem than it solved. No attorney would take my case because the surgeon was the local "expert witness" for all other cases.

Posted by

on
Hi all, I'm a 33 year old male from Texas. I had the Charite disc put in in 2005 due to a fall at work exploding the disc in the l5-s1. My feet were numb and had pain down my legs and back. The doctors at TBI said there was nothing wrong and got to a point they refused to see me even though they are my treating doctor and Texas Mutual just kept giving me a run around. This has aaffected my life in all ways. I have lost everything financially. Most of the time my wife has to help me dress. I can't even play with my children in the way a 33 year old father should be able to do. Five weeks ago i paid for a surgery to repair the failed charite disc. My doctor said that he could not remove the disc due to how TBI had placed it that it was to risky. He placed two rods and screws and fused the area. I can now feel my feet and leg pain seems to be getting better. I think it is sad that I can't find anyone to help me to fight this company so it doesn't happen to others. I was used as a guinea pig and wasn't told of the problems..

Posted by

on
my husband had a posterior latera inner body fushion in december and by sept he was rushed bck to hospital by ambulance where mrsa had set up in his back around the screws of the equipment were they had to go back in and take the medal out was kinda curious if it was contaminated he was sent homewith home health for 8 weeks then they went back in and dne a alif my question is for mrsa to set up around the screws cd the medal they put in his back the first time could it have been contaminted he hasnt been the same since this happened

Posted by

on
Theresa Jackson, I would love to talk to you. I actually had 2 Charite artificial discs placed in 2007 at L4-L5 and L5-S1. In late fall 2013, the disc at L5-S1 actually broke and lodged in my spinal cord causing Cauda Equina and Paraplegia. I would love to talk to anyone else that may have had similar experiences due to these. Not sure how we connect on here, but I will watch for replies.

Thank you,

Mrs. G

Posted by

on
ANYONE with info on BAK cages. Husband been in wheelchair, pain unbearable, doctors saying they have never seen anybody react to nerve pain like him. We r both on the edge. Lost his job of 25 yrs which he loved, had triple bypass 6 yrs ago L5S1 was the first then has plate in neck. I am an RN and from day 1 took notes n noticed things werent right but doctors look at nurses like they have 3 heads! Any new help would be appreciated.

Posted by

on
I was the first person to have the charite in the l2 l3 it was approved in oct of 2004 for the l4 l5 but they talked me into getting it instead of fusion. wish I never got it more problems than ever now!! I got it 1-12-05 had it done in Sarasota memorial

Posted by

on
I had a Charite TDR in 2006 and yes my disc has turned my life upside down. I am now totally disabled and have had to have a bilateral fusion to stabilize my L4-5 region of my spine due to severe facet degeneration. I am also having horrible SI joint pain as well as nerve damage running down my left leg. Reading these post makes me nauseated as I ponder possible disc failure in my own future and know that this disc presents us with life and death issues.
My question is has anyone been able to get legal representation? I was told that in 2008 the supreme court had a ruling that protects medical device companies from being sued for safety and efficacy issues. It seems like several lawsuits were mounting against J&J and Depuy prior to 2008 and then the legal recourse just stopped. Are there any cases pending at this point?
Feeling hopeless and scared!!!

Posted by

on
I had my disk replacement in 2007, the past 2 years have been a living hell with pain and not being able to please my wife anymore. I have to go get a spine fusion of l5 s1 and not looking forward toward it at all. My quality of life sucks and would be better off 6 feet under. I'm tired of living in pain. Pain down my left leg, stabbing pain in back and pounding. Cant sleep good. I tired of life period. This messed up my life for good and for the FDA to say "Ya its ok, they made their millions on kick backs. Meanwhile people like us on this page have to suffer and deal with it I guess, if that was one of their sons or daughters things would be different!!!!! Oct 2013 another surgery.

Posted by

on
I had the Charite Artificial Disc implanted in 2004. Things were great for about 2 years, then went downhill after that. Found out the disc had failed. Had a triple fusion (front and back) of my spine in Dec. 2011. I am not any better. They were unable to remove the implanted disc. We are trying to sue J & J in Federal Court, but most cases have been dismissed, because if the FDA approved it, then the product must have been OK. We could not remove the disc to show them. Seems like a cut and dry case in our favor, but we may end up with nothing. I've been in severe pain and unable to work for 5.5 years now, and things are not looking good for any resolution.

Posted by

on
hi my name is janette i posted before, i would like you to all know the disk in my back charite L5/s1 has now split into and the plastic piece has now shifted into my back towards the nerves to my spine since i last posted . tests and surgery to come i dont have a choice. i have been told i have a 50/50 chance of coming out of it alive. great stuff!!!! thanks disk replacements.

Posted by

on
hi, i had this disk put in 2005 it is 8 years old i now have two fractures below the L5 S1 disk with two small bones broken away there also. i am scared and in pain, it is the same if not the worse pain, than when i first had it repaired . I am now told they want to remove it and it is life threatning . I live in adelaide, sa. The dr that put the disk in me is in queenland, i have told him what has now happened to the disk he put in, via his secretaray with no comment!!!! 2 weeks ago. regards jantte .

Posted by

on
Hi LisaMy name is Lisa also. From Ga. I had the Artificial Disk surgery in 2006.October of 2011 my disk has now broken. My situation is a result from an injury on the job but now i lay here in pain waiting on Workers comp to decide if they will approve my claim. I know how you feel. My pain is much worse now then in 2006 when i got hurt. L5 S1 disk replacement and now my Dr tells me that i will require yet another surgery. My right leg is very painful, right butt check is in constant pain 24/7, Cant sleep on pain killers and cannot work.

Hi Paul... For sure a connection for the leg pain. She needs to get x-rays to check the disk. I have the same Disk in my back and have recently learned from researching the internet that this disk has many un-happy reviews. I wish i would have known all this back in 2006, i would have never had the surgery.

Posted by

on
I had Charite' Disc surgery in 2006 and thought this was going to be the answer to my problem but unfortunately
my troubles worsened post surgery. I keep listening to my surgeon that things will get better but I am beginning to
think that it's not going to happen. Here is what I am experiencing and things that just happen to get worse as time goes on. I have severe lower back pain, I have severe nerve pain in my left leg and intermittently in my right leg.
My facet area of my spine is always in crucial pain and after I had an mri in 2009 they found out that my perfect L4 disc now has a herniation and the operation was done on my L5 disc. I have tried everything under the sun to help my pain including aqua therapy, pain management with steroid shots, blocks, medication which is very hard for me to take seeing it makes me sick and triggers even more pain from getting sick. I can't even think any more seeing my life is not what I expected it to be like .... useless!!
What get's me the most is my surgeon I think not telling me everything when I ask he noted I was exaggerating my pain and that the disc above that is now herniated is probably from age.
Sorry this was such a long post but others should do your home work before jumping in.

Posted by

on
My Fiance had the Chartise' Disk inserted into her lower back in 2005. She has been having difficulty with leg, and back pain. Is there a connection?
Thank you,
Paul

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