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GDB 10-02-2020 11:59 AM

Recommended ADR Surgeons/Clinics
 
Hello ADR support folks,

I talked with my decompression surgeon and he agreed that degenerative changes have left me with two choices: multi-level fusion or ADR with or without stabilization. He also suggested that Germany was light-years ahead of the USA in this area of ortho reconstructive surgery.

Annapurna suggested Doctors Clavel and Bertagnoli as two excellent options. I wondered if folks had other suggestions or warnings. Dr. Ritter-Lang gave me a consultation some years ago, but the fusion portion of the option is not my first choice.

Best regards and wishing everyone health, mobility, and limited pain.

annapurna 10-03-2020 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDB (Post 118962)
Annapurna suggested Doctors Clavel and Bertagnoli as two excellent options.

To be honest, I suggested those two because, if remember correctly, both offer remote diagnosis through film review and phone call/Zoom/whatever. I wouldn't fear to have either work on my back but the remote diagnosis is what I was thinking of for them.

We just had another member on the board have everything ready to go and was about to board the plane to see Clavel for a revision only to have Spain refuse to allow her to enter the country. I was thinking that getting a remote diagnosis might, stress might, allow you to argue with whatever country you need to travel to that you need the surgery and only a world-class surgeon could do it.

The explanation is to head off any arguments over merits of individual surgeons - if you're going overseas, you're going to have to work around COVID travel restrictions. That adds a layer of requirements onto an already complicated task of picking a surgeon who you'd trust.

As for Ritter-Lang - there was a time that anecdotes shared about him were flat-out scary. You can probably find them here or elsewhere online. I've not heard much about him lately so I can't tell if he's cleaned up his act or all of the spine patients that come to this board have chosen to exclude Ritter-Lang based on what's been shared here.

GDB 10-05-2020 03:53 PM

Medical Restrictions in Germany
 
Hi folks,

Just got a response from the German consulate with a link to their travel exclusions. With regard to medical, it reads:

Urgent medical reasons may exist if a treatment can only be performed in Germany or at least cannot be performed in the person’s country of origin or has already begun in Germany and if failure to receive the treatment would be life-threatening or could cause considerable long-term damage. This is to be proven through relevant documentation. The person may enter with up to two necessary accompanying persons.

Here's the link: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/f...html#f13919566

Best regards all. Thank you Jim for the kind thoughts.

Cheryl0331 10-09-2020 04:24 PM

I just came back from Germany
 
Thank God Spain denied me entry.
Through another member here; I found Dr. Schmitz at Clinic Bel Etage in Dusseldorf Germany.

His skill and experience with revision is amazing! My HO had attached itself to my dura. I had revision surgery on Sept 21st. I had a spinal fluid leak that would not stop on it's own, so on the 25th he had to go back in a seal it
Dr. Schmitz has a special mesh and gel that he uses. He also has an ultrasonic bone scalpel that minimizes milling. He has been interviewed by Jamie Litrun on TDR/ADR Support Group on Facebook. You can find the interview on You Tube. He also is partner in the clinic. It's a private hospital too. He was 5000 euros more than Clavel, but worth every penny.

I received the best care here. I pray you contact tehm!

Their International Patient Coordinator sent me a Letter of Certificate that I carried with me. I also did a Health Declaration Card from the German Border Police website. I took a covid test least than 48 hours prior to departure

GDB 10-12-2020 10:27 AM

Thanks Cheryl
 
Thank you Cheryl!

Pardon my ignorance, what does "HO" mean? Is it a complication for all ADRs, or specific areas or disc replacement types?

Good luck with your recovery, appreciate the advice.

Cheryl0331 10-12-2020 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GDB (Post 118978)
Thank you Cheryl!

Pardon my ignorance, what does "HO" mean? Is it a complication for all ADRs, or specific areas or disc replacement types?

Good luck with your recovery, appreciate the advice.

Heterotopic Ossification. It doesn't happen to everyone or only with any particular adr. You can develop HO even around a fracture or hip replacement.

phillyjoe 10-12-2020 07:22 PM

Hope you continue to recover well. Aside from the plumbing patch, any other issues with removal of the M6? Did you get ESP or Prodisc on the revision?

Cheryl0331 10-13-2020 09:37 AM

Hi Philly
 
Thankfully Dr. Schmitz was able to place a cp-ESP. He wants a 6 week and 12 week Post-op X-rays with flexion extension. So around Nov 6th, I will get my first series.

The pain from traction during surgery and having to lay in bed for 48 hours was really rough. Revision surgery due to HO as advanced as mine is very complex. I should have had it done a year earlier. If its obvious that it is encroaching a nerve or going in to the spinal canal; one need to monitor closely and determine if benefit out weighs the rush. It did in my case.

beaverc 10-14-2020 04:17 AM

Europe / Germany
 
Cheryl0331
Hello Cheryl just a quick question , I know you said Spain would not allow you to enter but when you entered Europe / Germany were you required to quarantine / isolate for 14 days before proceeding with your medical treatment ?

Thanks !

Cheryl0331 10-14-2020 08:15 AM

Reply to Beav.
 
Yes and no. I went direct from the airport to my room at the clinic. Masks worn at all times except when in my room alone. You are not really able to go out to a local shop or anything like that. Keep in mind; you must have a negative covid test 48 hours or less prior to departure. If you are going for medical reason it's different from going for other reasons. You have to carry the Passenger Locator Card at all times. I check in for admission on 9/18 and surgery was 9/21 and I was discharged on 10/4


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