HELP so CONFUSED

[My3labs]

I am so confused on where to go and what to do. Dr bertagnoli Dr Clavel ??? Has anyone ever had a c spine and lumbar done at same time 2 adrs in both . Any advise opinions on which Dr and which disc..schedule for Dr.B in Aug thanks Oh and does anybody know how Many M6 lumbar Dr Clavel has done..?

Sandra

[annapurna]

I can't help with all of your questions but I can help with some. First, don't even consider doing cervical and lumbar at the same time. That's two major surgeries and you'll need time to recover. At the least, consider one, followed by a week or two minimum of rest, then the second.

Second question, is who to go with. Do you have any nagging doubts about either? If you can imagine having regrets about your decisions if your recovery was slower or less complete than you wished, then you should address those concerns now or go with the doctor you're happier with. I've always advised people to go with the surgeon that they're happier with rather than decide upon a doctor based on availability of a device. Ultimately, statistics show having a better placement will do you more good than a better device.

[My3labs]

thanks for the reply, yeah i dont think i would attemp both at one time but the dr clavel said he would do it so in my mind that is not the best thing and i want the best so i am sure i will go with the other. just have a better feeling about the other and i always believe in going with my gut feeling. but thank you for your response..

Sandra

[jss]

Sandra,

The poster on this site that goes by the name Maddie had two cervical and two lumbar levels addressed during the same surgical session; Dr Pimenta in Brazil. She has had a stellar recovery. You could PM her and I know that she'd be happy to discuss it with you.

Having two M6-C's implanted by Clavel in '09 accompanied by an out-of-this-world recovery, I'm a huge fan of the M6 and Clavel. I don't know if he's ever implanted an M6-L; in fact, my M6-C's were only the 11th and 12th that he'd ever implanted (at that time he preferred the Prestige).

I have heard through the grapevine that Dr Bertagnoli will implant almost any disc that you want, though he is partial to the ProDisc. I have seen that Dr Boeree in Hampshire, UK produces a steady stream of excellent outcomes with the M6-L. That is another resource that would be worth pursuing.

If you have your heart set on an M6-L, be aware that they have been in service for only a year or so; so almost nothing is known about how they will perform over time.

Good luck, Jeff

[My3labs]

No my heart is not set on any certain disc just want make the right decision for the right dr and the right disc and my priority is my back more then my neck . I just find it strange the price difference in dr's and whatis included so knowing it is one of the most important chioices i will make in my life it needs to be right.. and i am sure everyone here can relate . And everyone has there own opinion so i guess. Am just wanting opinions either good or bad..
Thanks
Sandra

[Jstuckey]

FYI: Dr Pimenta also practices in California, as well as Brazil, which is good for follow-up. The exchange rate is in your favor in Brazil, if you leave the country (for cost purposes). I found it a LONG wait to hear from him though, due to him being out of the country. (He wanted to do a fusion on me, so I didn't end up choosing him.) You difinitely want to choose a well-respected, experienced surgeon for a big procedure like that! Best wishes.

[JeffreyD]

Zeegers. None better.

[annapurna]

Sandra,

This is Annapurna's wife -the one who has received all the spine work. Congrat's on doing your homework and being willing to travel to get the best combo of device and surgeon to restore your spine. Don't know if this will help, but here's the approach I used when I started searching for a way to restore my degenerated C5/C6 disc back in 2003 when cervical ADR's were still a bit new even in Europe.

First, read every paper or poster published about the ADR's you're considering and get a basic understanding of their advantages/disadvantages. You don't have to be a mechanical engineer or a spine surgeon to do this - just see what's said about design intent. Ease of insertion? Replication of natural motion? Motion plus stabilization? Side-removal capability?....

Second, look for outcome studies. What works well on paper (or in a finite element analysis) doesn't always work in the human body. Alternately, sometimes it works better, or exhibits advantages outside the original design intent. Break down and spend the money to get the proceedings of the latest Spine Arthroplasty Society (name may have changed) and read everything you can. I haven't attended since May 2007, but, at that time, the best data was in the posters, not the podium presentations. North American Spine Society may also be a good resource, but, is not dedicated to motion-preservation exclusively.

Third, look for who's doing what. Some surgeons "specialize" in a few techniques and devices, while others are more general. Pay for some consultations and ask WHY they think a given device would be best for YOU. You can do this by email, or, if you've got the time and flyer miles, in person. When I was trying to decide between the Bryan and the ProDisc-C (only two available), I read every paper published about both, then blew some Delta miles and flew to Europe and had back-to-back consultations with Jan Goffin and Rudy Bertagnoli - the two respective experts. Amazingly, they each cited the same advantages/disadvantages for their respective devices as well as best indications for use - given the limited data at the time.

Fourth (last) consider cost. If two surgeon's would work equally well, there's nothing wrong with considering cost and exchange rate. Fighting with insurance companies doesn't help anyone's recovery. Note that this is the LAST consideration, though.

Sorry I don't have more specific info, but, I haven't had to search for an ADR for quite some time. My Prodisc-C and Prodisc-C Nova from Dr. Bertagnoli work great - as does my old Charite from Dr. Zeegers. I'd highly recommend both of those surgeons to anyone, but, I know that there are lots of other great surgeons out there too.

Best of Luck!
Laura

[JPJH]

I am just not a big Dr. B. fan, just never got a good feeling in working with his office. Plus the cost was way out of my league. I chose Dr. Clavel and would recommend him. I had two M-6's at C 4/5 & 5/6 in Oct. 2010. I considered Dr. Boeree too, but just felt better about Dr. Clavel. But I did like Dr. Boeree and tell people to consider him. As for having both Cervical and Lumbar done I can't speak to that. I know Dr. Clavel has done lumbar using the M-6 as he did one when I was there. How many he has done I don't know. I know I have lumbar issues as well, but was told by all I consulted to take care of the cervical issues first then look at lumbar down the road. I think if you have one or the other done and have a positive experience you will be willing to go back and do the other later. If you have a negative experience then you will be less likely to go back for the other surgery. Just a thought.

JPJH