Saint Margaret Mercy is site of innovative Neurological Spinal Surgery

January 24, 2006

DYER—Highland, Ind. resident Rebecca Adams is the first recipient in Northwest Indiana of the new "Mystique" plating system, a sugar-based polymer that is absorbed by the body over a period of 18 – 36 months to treat neck pain and disorders due to disease or injuries. Mystique's plate and screws provide stability similar to that of traditional metal plates. Resorption eliminates the need for secondary surgeries that may be required to remove previously implanted metallic devices. The plating system is radiolucent; postoperative imaging is free of artifact caused by metallic implants. The surgical benefits include reducing the risk of stress shielding, a common risk with traditional metal plating, as the resorbable plate can be molded to the curvature of the vertebral bodies of the individual patient, thereby providing a custom fit with decreased stress on the bony structure.

Mrs. Adams visited Dr. M. Hytham Rifai of Neurological Spine Surgery, P.C. in December of 2004, complaining of neck pain radiating to her right shoulder and down her arm. She described difficulty with coordination and trouble buttoning her shirt. She also experienced shakiness and loss of balance. A MRI of her cervical spine revealed severe cervical stenosis with significant compression of the spinal cord [flattening of the spinal cord resulting in symptoms]. Surgery was advised at that time, but postponed, due to other medical problems, until August.

Mrs. Adams and her husband, Thomas, were offered the traditional metal plating system, but opted for "Mystique." She arrived at Saint Margaret Mercy on Friday, Aug. 12 for the outpatient procedure, performed by Dr. M. Hytham Rifai, assisted by Dr. Kevin Waldron, both of Neurological Spinal Surgery, P.C. in Merrillville. Mrs. Adams was discharged that evening.

Two days later, she took a hard fall. Her injury was limited to a large bump on the head; her neck was not harmed, which verifies the durability of the "Mystique" system.

As she nears her six-month check-up, Mrs. Adams is making steady progress in physical therapy. Her problem had been severe; at one time she wondered if she would wake up and not be able to walk. But improvement is dramatic. Friends and family tell her that she looks much better after the surgery. She is able to drive, and wears a neck-brace only when she experiences a bit of pain that sometimes follows a workout. She is working to rebuild herself, and looks forward to resuming full normal activity.