[Cynlite]

What are you waiting for? Just go see him! I've been living in chronic and debilitating pain for almost 10 years so, believe me when I say that I very much understand this cycle of pain and how much it destroys your life. I'm sorry you have joined this awful club but, glad you found this wonderful board.

In my opinion, Dr. Clavel is one of the top ADR neurosurgeons in the world and he implants one of the best devices in the world. On top of that, Quiron is a very good and well equipped hospital. After spending months reviewing surgery outcomes on this board, sending my package out to six highly rated surgeons in the U.S. and Europe, plus personally speaking to all the surgeons, Dr. Clavel was and is my choice. I've also spoken to and emailed with many of his patients. I hope to have Dr. Clavel do neck surgery on me this summer.

What's important in making your decision is finding a surgeon you trust first and then getting the best disc. I can't remember the exact number but, Dr. Clavel has implanted over a 1000 devices so, he has more experience than most surgeons in the world and that's what you want. Placement of the device is key in having a successful outcome from your surgery. I've seen some really awful post op x-rays but, never with Dr. Clavel's work. He always places the discs perfectly.

I am not a lumbar patient but, from what I've read on this board, your top choices for devices are between the M6-L or the Activ-L. Dr. Clavel uses the M6-L. You could also speak to Dr. Zeegers who implants the Activ-L in Germany. Dr. Zeegers is one of the founders in ADR going back to I believe the 1980's. You are so fortunate to have these top rated surgeons so close to you! I believe they will give you the best advice on if you are an ideal candidate for an artificial disc or if you will need to have a fusion. Getting two more opinions will help you decide. Hopefully, you will get a consensus but, I never did. It is frustrating to figure out. Surgeons who don't have the experience with ADR's always recommend fusion because it is what they know and it's what has been done for many, many years.

If you want to read success stories for lumbar patients, just use the search feature to find them in the post surgery forum. You will find mostly successful outcomes for both surgeons. There is just a lot more information on Dr. Clavel here because more patients have gone to him from this board. Neither of the surgeons have a 100% success rate unfortunately and that is a risk we all take. Because of the risks, surgery should be done when no other treatment options have worked. I have read of patients that have had to reverse their surgeries later and get fusions so, that is another risk you take but, it's a risk I would take every time. I sure hope you are an ADR candidate Best of luck to you.