Surgery Barcelona, Spain ADR C6-7

[terigrx]

Hi All.

We have made our decisions and after much research, pain and anguish are off to Barcelona, Spain for my husbands cervical adr.

Here's the long and short of it...Hunter (spouse) had numbness and mechanical locking down of his dominant hand August 2008. He had surgery (foraminotomy posterior approach) in Sept 2008, which was moderately successful. The pain diminished but the amout of spasm in the arm increased. He ended up having to leave his job as he is an ER physician and can't work on patients if he can't use his dominant arm.

After 3 months the spasms became better then he slipped on some ice in December 2008 and broke his leg in 5 places. This resulted in a cast to the groin for 12 weeks then another 6 weeks. In February 2009 he herniated the same disc using crutches to an 11mm herniation. He has been in agony ever since and home bound living on pain medication and the occasional protein shake. He has lost 30 lbs and is skin and bones with amazing amounts of muscle atrophy.

We have exhausted the appeals process with our wonderful insurance company Regence Blue Shield, they will only pay for fusion. So, after much research, we are off to Spain. It came down to Spain, India or Germany. India, after speaking with Piglet, has wonderful surgeons, but we were concerned with the politics in that region and the cleanliness outside of the hospitals. The cost was about $12K USD but we also were concerned with the Indian government wanting tourist visas far in advance. Just do not need any more chances...

Germany is about $30K USD and you all know about that. We have chosen Spain for the following reasons:

Surgeon very experienced DR. Pablo Clavel MD Neurosurgeon. Residencies in the States and in Europe.

Cost $17K USD will be in hospital for 2 to 3 days, this includes pre-op labs, tests and surgeon consult. All hospital costs ( I stay in house with him). The surgeon uses the Spinal Kinetics M6, which is the disc that we prefer. We will stay in Barcelona for 3 more days after surgery for post-op follow up then head home assuming no further complications.

This was arranged via medical tourism company HealthBase, recommended by Piglet, they have been very responsive and professional so far.

We leave for Spain on December 6th, have pre-ops on the 8th with surgery on the 9th. Wish us luck and will keep you posted.

Teri and Hunter

[Harrison]

Teri, wow, you've been doing your homework. And you are a great patient advocate for Hunter indeed. It was a lot of work, wasn't it?! We've not heard much about the Spanish route, so I wish you the best of luck and a comfy ride there!

Question for you: I am curious if you priced out options in the US with cervical ADR, e.g., (Medtronic, Synthes) or tried the clinical trial route?

Whatever the case, most cervies do well with their outcomes with ADR. I wish Hunter and you a safe trip and good health!

[terigrx]

Hi,

We tried the clinical trial route but all we could find were 1:1 randomized with fusion. Hunter will not go the fusion route, period. We priced ($21K USD) at Rocky Mountain and thought about that avenue, but as with any US surgeon we are limited to implants that are 1st generation or 2nd at best. UC Davis has a very experienced team and we came close to a trial there, but to no avail. Hunter really wanted the M6, and he can't wait any longer. He has been home bound and bedridden for nearly a year now. Quality of life has become the utmost priority.

Pricing other hospitals was the problem with staying in the states. A surgeon will quote us their fees, but the hospitals will not. From strictly a cost perspective, Spain is the best choice for us. Ironically I was just there last year at this time (saw Sir Spam Alot in Spanish), so at least I know my way around a bit.

We will keep all posted so that this can possibly be another avenue for any and all on this forum. We can also keep you posted on the health care system in Spain!

Teri

[rhatzy]

Teri,

I wish your husband a speedy recovery. I think the M6 is a great choice and I know how tough it is to making a decision. Barcelona is a beautiful city as I have been there many times. I know a couple of people with the M6 and they are doing great.

Mark

[JKDE302]

How did you find out about this doc using the M6?

[ans]

Former UCD student here. I'm sorry that your husband's foraminotomy didn't quite "take" and the other injuries. You truly have done your homework and what a lovely location to recuperate.

What an *incredible* price! I wish you stayed longer to avoid post-op complications e.g DVTs, you know..

Unfortunately, I'm learning from his/your pain.

My best..

[Slackwater]

Originally Posted by terigrx

Hi All.

We have made our decisions and after much research, pain and anguish are off to Barcelona, Spain for my husbands cervical adr.

We have exhausted the appeals process with our wonderful insurance company Regence Blue Shield, they will only pay for fusion.

Del.Text

We leave for Spain on December 6th, have pre-ops on the 8th with surgery on the 9th. Wish us luck and will keep you posted.

Teri and Hunter

Best wishes, travel safely.

Insurance, ..., I ~understand. You will take a step beyond insurance policy to what evidence-based medicine we have available. Cervical ADR / TDR is an effective technique to deal with cervical radiculopathy(1), to my limited view.

I am not a medical professional; I just read with a personal interest in outcomes.


1. Full-Text: PDF Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine August 2009 Volume 11, Number 2
© 2009 by the American Association of Neurosurgeons

[terigrx]

We found the surgeon in Spain via Healthbase. After finding his name, we obtained credentials and full CV with residency information. He has quite the resume. We wish we could stay in Barcelona longer as well, but due to the holidays I have to be back at the hospital I work for during the remainder of December.

We will keep you all posted as to said gory details so that others may use this route if warranted.

Teri

[JPJH]

I see it's getting close to your departure date for Spain and the upcoming ADR surgery. I wish your husband all the best for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I am an ADR candidate ( 2 levels) as well with the same issues of my insurance company only willing to pay for fusion. I have reserached the Dr's in Germany, but cost is a factor for me. So was interested to read the lower cost for Spain that you posted.

Safe travels and I look forward to reading your post once surgery is over.

[Jack]

Teri,

Great info. Was the price quoted for two discs? I'm having minimally invasive fusion at L5-S1 end of Dec. as this is my only option. My next two discs up should be OK for disc replacement. One step at a time, so they (who ever they are).