Prodisc article about financial ties to docs

[merbesfield]

This is a very interesting article. If it has been posted sorry.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/bu....html?emc=eta1


BUSINESS | January 30, 2008
Financial Ties Are Cited as Issue in Spine Study
By REED ABELSON
The testing of an artificial spinal disk provides a stark example of conflicts of interest among clinical researchers.

[Harrison]

Thx for sharing. Yes, we posted it one year ago...where are in your research? Do you have a spine doctor? Pls add a signature describing your condition/history when you can.

[trkdoc714]

I think truth beknown, all of the medical device and drug companies have similar programs. I read a similar article about a prof at U of Wisc a few weeks ago. The act isn't illegal, just questionable. The transparency of where the money flows should be made public information though. I think that would help people make wiser decisions.

Bob

[JJames]

I always find it "interesting" whenever this article appears or reappears. I was referred to Dr. Frank P. Cammisa, Jr. by one of my company's owners and some big-shot in our medical-insurance company. The two of them apparently held Dr. Cammisa in very high regard, and no matter what those other surgeons who I'd seen recommended, they would only consider approving and covering my bi-level ADR surgery through my companies' medical insurance if that is what Dr. Cammisa recommended.

I had an appointment with Dr. Cammisa in September 2008. Since 4 previous surgeons had suggested the bi-level ADR surgery as my best option, I was relatively confident as I paid my $1000 for this out-of-network visit that it would all be worth it! He was the only 1 of 5 surgeons who suggested that I NOT have bi-level ADR surgery, and instead "stabilize" my lower back by having a fusion at both levels.

The article mentioned at the beginning of this thread then appeared in December 30th 2008's New York Times. Contained within it in black-and-white is Dr. Cammissa's name next to his $250,000.00 investment in the Synthes ProDisc! I still cannot help but wonder if he had prior knowledge that this article was forthcoming, thus advising me against the surgery I truly need. Furthermore, his tainted recommendation killed any chance I had at convincing my medical insurer to pay for the surgery!

I could be completely wrong on this, and there is no way of proving it. I simply cannot help feeling angry as I still wait in continuing agony for "something" to give, and wondering if I may have missed the only opportunity I had.

[Harrison]

James, if the spinal doctor is a professional with a good reputation, they will do the right thing for the patient. What goes around, comes around...in general. Of course there are exceptions.

So, here are a few thoughts:

- read your radiology reports, meaning the "cheat sheet." That is, the actual notes describing your spinal condition before surgery. Read these while looking at your electronic images on your PC. If you have instability, arthritis (or any other number of conditions), then perhaps that will bolster your confidence and relieve you of some worry?

- if you are doing OK now, then that's a blessing, too, right?

[JJames]

Originally Posted by Harrison

James, if the spinal doctor is a professional with a good reputation, they will do the right thing for the patient. What goes around, comes around...in general. Of course there are exceptions.

So, here are a few thoughts:

- read your radiology reports, meaning the "cheat sheet." That is, the actual notes describing your spinal condition before surgery. Read these while looking at your electronic images on your PC. If you have instability, arthritis (or any other number of conditions), then perhaps that will bolster your confidence and relieve you of some worry?

- if you are doing OK now, then that's a blessing, too, right?

Harrison,
I feel that I must apologize somewhat for my relatively angry rant earlier. I do feel, and may always, that there was "something" more than coincidence between his recommendation and that article.

Of course I am battling the anger and depression of what my life has become, and do not see any relief coming soon. I am hopeful once again that my appointment on 4/1 with Dr. Yue will be somehow beneficial, but I have been let down so many times previous, I have little confidence.

The pain in my lower back, right hip, right leg, and now upper back in combination with all these medications (and of course the "other" medications to offset the side-effects of those!) has taken over my life. I can barely work, my family suffers daily due to all the things I cannot do. I am becoming more and more weak and out of shape. I realize that I am sounding greatly depressed (and realize that I am), but of course I'm on a pill for that too!

Just how bad does my condition have to get before my medical insurance company whom a pay $100 per week realizes I need treatment!

I apologize once more ... I'm ranting! And there are sooo many others here with much worse conditions and in far more pain. My condition is just getting too old and gone on too long ....

Sincerely - Jeff