I would like to be in one of the many clinical trials going on in the United States for artificial disc replacement. I am 74 years old and have had my l-4-5 fused. I now have 2 discs that are breaking down, the l3-4 and l-2-3. Is there any place in the United States where i would be eligible for artificial disc replacement?

If not in the united states, then what about a foreign country? I have heard that the surgeons in Europe and South Africa have been doing this since the early 1990's. I would gladly pay up to $25,000 American dollars and maybe more to have my back fixed.

Your response to my letter will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Pat (R.N.)

hello and welcome
well with your age you are very unlikey to find adr in the usa. you may have trouble else where in the world to 65 with good bone denisty seems to be the number. but you could try pro-spine germany.
now adays 25k doesn't cover a single level adr http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_frown.gif
i was quoted 24051 euros which as of yesterday was 30,400 us dollars.
best of luck to you
chuck
p/s patient-affairs [patient-affairs@pro-spine.com] is pro-spines email worth a shot http://adrsupport.org/groupee_common...icon_smile.gif

I wish you the best. I agree that you may be best off seeing if you can be taken as a patient at one of the clinics in Europe as the US in still in the very early phase of utilizing/performing ADR surgery and your age would probably be a factor that would rule you out from eligibility for this surgery here in the US. However, please continue to research eligibility for yourself~ hopefully you reach your goal one way or another!