[DaveCanada]

Hi all,

New here and exploring my options for ADR. Background on me and my situation is further below.

Hoping to have this procedure done in the first half of 2022. Very few surgeons here in Canada perform ADR. Wait times for fusion are 1-2 years here. I think I’ve narrowed my primary target list of ADR surgeons to the following:

• Dr. Andreas Schmitz / Germany
• ONZ (Drs. Bierstedt & Illerhaus) / Germany
• Dr. Biren Desai / Germany
• Dr. Alexandre Rasouli / Los Angeles
• Dr. Todd Lanman / Los Angeles

I picked the 3 in Germany because I’m leaning toward the LP-ESP device but realize this is not offered in the US. More important to me is an experienced surgeon who can place the device properly.

I’m in touch with ONZ’s Canada rep and I’ve started the assessment process.

I had a good video chat with Dr. Schmitz in late Nov 2021. He and Jessica answered all my questions and after reviewing my images said I’d be a good candidate for one level ADR. He requested a bone density test, which I promptly had done and email to him and Jessica before Christmas. I didn’t hear back so I emailed again in early January. No word back.

I have sent an initial email to the others and await next steps in terms of sending my images.

I have two initial questions for this group:

1. Is it odd that Dr. Schmitz/ Jessica have gone cold on me? Maybe its just the holiday season and or covid surge in Germany?

2. Any good or bad opinion on Dr. Rasouli or Dr. Lanman in the US? Both have done hundreds of ADRs. Dr. Lanman has 2-3 ADRs of his own. Reason for Los Angeles is because I have a friend I can stay with nearby for a couple of months to rehab if needed. Plus, it’s a direct 3 hour flight from Vancouver.

My background: After returning home from a long car trip and mountain bike ride in March 2018, I leaned over to put a dish in the dishwasher and felt a pain in my lower back that didn’t subside. Current issue: DDD (dehydrated disc, loss of disc height, herniation) at L5/S1 causing S1 nerve root impingement. Current symptoms: Constant and chronic dull pain and discomfort across lumbar/ upper glutes; feeling of instability in lumbar area; sciatic pain back of leg; cramping down leg; some numbness and feeling of loss of strength. Current treatment: all sorts of PT, Osteopath, acupuncture, RMT treatments off and on since March 2018. Some short term pain relief but the route problem persists and isn’t improving.

Thanks!