TPatti (Tod?) Very good advice. It is exactly what I did. Fortunately I did mine five years ago before the real estate market took a nose-dive and interest rates were nothing.
Focus on the method of treatment and where you plan on doing it? Need a starting goal to work with.

BTW....how are you doing? I'm talking with Dr. Bierstedt today and planning my trip there as well (early September). Are you still in Germany? Would be interested in how you are spending your time there.

I got home yesterday. Tell Dr. Bierstedt I said hello (Todd Patti) and that his eyes were closed in one of the pictures my wife took of us. Let me say that as impressive that he is on a phone or skype conversation he is even more so in person! I got back from Germany yesterday and am doing quite well. Still plan on posting a detailed report but busy doing my rehab and getting my caught up on my business. I would be more than happy to talk to you about my experience including things that you and support partner can do while there. PM me with your contact info and we can arrange a time to talk. This goes for anyone out there who feels that speaking to me about my experience may help them.

You do know that they changed the name of this hospital right? I would not believe a word you hear @ stenum! stenumnightmare.com

Bohnrods: to what hospital and I assuming a doctor are you referring? I do not think any of this thread is referring to Ritter-Lang or Stenum

Surgery with Dr Bertagnoli
 

Hi everyone
This is my first post. Laura its been fantastic to read your posts about your journey so far with ADR. I have sent you a private message to you but wanted to join the thread if it does continue. I have been amazed at the body of technical knowledge here about replacement devices. I think I have come to the right place.
My issues began in 2000 when I was diagnosed with disc bulge and compression at C4/5 , 5/6, and 6/7. The neurosurgeon discouraged me from having fusion, to see if just backing off from aggravating activity and ant inflammatory drugs etc would work. I got away with this (on and off) up until a few years ago, when things got progressively worse, as they do when you dont change behaviour. I am a professional artist, and work very hard physically in the garden (and anything I turn to), so the continued use of the right arm, led to further deterioration of the discs. Spurs and stenosis drove me back to finally get another MRI where damage had increased considerably.

I am in Australia, and 52 years old, and quite fit. There is an aversion to multi level ADR here unless you are 20 years old it appears or have a career as a sports-person. Otherwise fusion is what you get (and maybe one ADR if you are lucky).

I have been told some pretty strange things so far in my enquiries to spine clinics here in Australia (east coast and west), including raging abuse by the clinic staff of 'overseas surgeons', including Germany! Its been a real eye opener and I have felt very intimidated after trying to learn more about what I can do to regain flexibility for my future. One neurosurgeons assistant told me that 52 years was too old for ADR, and that the surgeon didn't waste these on older people as older folk didn't have as much time to live so probably didn't need the flexibility!

Anyway enough complaining, its seems its a common story as I have found out. I came across Dr Bertagnoli and his practice through much research.

I have begun consultation having sent my MRI's etc to them and they have come back suggesting replacement of C5/6 and 6/7, and a surgery date of Jan 12 next year in Straubing.

I would love to know how you got on Laura if you have come back from your surgery or from anyone else who have had an experience of working with Dr Bertagnoli. So far I have gleaned much from this thread.

Its a pretty big deal I guess, and I have noted some reference to the use of different devices perhaps being less suited to those with Stenosis. I have some stenosis and the bone spurs. My bone density at a 52 year old post menopausal woman (early meno) is that I have a little osteopenia (normal for my age apparently), but I am as I said, fit, and youthful.

I am concerned now about the Pro-disc, given what I have read here about its use if there is vertebra issues. When I asked Mr Tim Vicknar (the international go between guy for Dr. Bertagnoli) about this, he said they used ceramic to treat the bone if there is some deterioration before they insert the disc.

Do any of you know about this? Hope to hear back from anyone. As Laura said, there are so many threads, so I just searched Dr Bertagnoli and found this one. Any suggestions of other threads would be great.

Heidi,
Laura surgery was performed by Dr. Bierstedt, not Dr. Bertagnoli. I also had surgery performed by Dr. Bierstedt. It seems that many regard Dr. Bertagnoli as a good surgeon but question his favored use of the ProDisc based on his financial interests. In my opinion, you should seek consult from some other doctors as well.

Hi TPatti
Thanks for getting back so quickly. I must have missed a post by Laura. Laura had said she was booked with Bertagnoli at one point. I did see the discussion on the device and this has made me aware of the choice. I will look into Dr. Bierstedt now. Just quickly, I think from what I can see Dr Bierstedt uses the M6? I see you have your Lumbar region operated on this year with this device. Have you any view on whether or not the ProDisc might be more suitable for the cervical region? Sorry I am just wondering as I imagine the pressure on the lumbar spine would be considerably more than the cervical. Hope thats not a silly question. I note the 'financial' connection re the ProDisc. Being new to the forum, there is much to review, and I can see many here have very good engineering knowledge. Could you tell me what you have worked out about the M6 in favour? Thanks heaps. Helen

I found this great post on the site...on the pro's and cons of the two different devices - ProDisc or M6 - so Ill have a good read

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51...odisc-l-11276/

Adr
 

Hello Heidi,
Trying to get some more feedback from this place, seems they are one of the most, if not the most experienced with the M6, (L) in my case.

ONZ Spine Surgeon for Disk Replacement, German Spine Specialists – M6 ADR Artificial Disk Replacement - Stop spine pain now, Lumbar Cervical Spine Surgery

Take a look, very encouraging, I have emailed a couple of people that have this done.

Jerry

Hi Heidi (Helen)
I've responded to some of your posts on other threads, but do want to express that I DID change my surgical venue from Dr. Bertagnoli to Dr. Bierstedt. My personal reasons for changing were very similar to TPatti's. Dr. Bierstedt is not financially tied to any particular device, but will use the ADR best suited for your unique physiology.
I was appalled to hear that Australian surgeons don't want to waste an ADR on 50+ patients. You will find that the median age of our posters are in their 50's, me included. I'm probably more active now than I was in my 20/30's. I scuba dive, ski, and still do cartwheels (a performance when my students do well on their tests - great incentive). Many others are marathon runners, bikers, active "weekend" athletes, or just want quality of life. You have made the best choice by casting those flippin, pathetic excuse for medical professionals aside (had stronger words, but chose to change them), and take charge of YOUR life! You are your own advocate, and that is why we are all HERE.