I have been through this routine before with a ruptured L5-S1. After nursing a touchy back, it fell apart in 2001 in a most painful way
. At Hershey Medical Center, Hershey PA, Dr Stephen Powers did a microdiscecotmy that went very well.
After a decade of nursing a touchy neck I have just been told my C6,7 has dried up and caused the vertebrae to become arthritic. Hershey recommended a ProDisc-C but I don't care much for the new docs.
I tracked down Dr Powers but he doesnt believe in ADRs
I'm in my early 40's and at this age I think a fusion would be foolish
I, like many here, don't need the guy they fly in when the POTUS is injured, but don't want to be a guinea pig either. I have asked around for recommendations but can not find consensus.
Searching by my own criterion:
Spinal Specialist
Spine Fellowship trained
Board Certified surgeon
whose 'toolbox' includes ADRs
within 2.x hour drive of PA's E Central coal country (since BCBS will cover it)
(am I missing anything?)
I have found this outfit:
Pennsylvania Spine Institute - Our Physicians
On paper they seem very impressive!
William J. Beutler, M.D. can see me in May
The way I feel I haven't got that long to live.
Walter C. Peppelman Jr., D.O. can see me in two weeks!
(I think the receptionist could tell I can not wait.)
If you read his CV he seems well educated on things arthritic, and did his fellowship at Pittsburgh, which seems to produce some top shelf spine docs... if I am reading it right. (How have I not heard of this guy?)
I don't want to waste any more time as I did with Hershey. I need something done ASAP.
I see doctor ratings for neuro and ortho but without the data being broken down to 'spine' and 'aneurysm' etc the ratings seem to be coarse.
If anyone can run Walter C. Peppelman Jr., D.O. through their spine doc check-o-meter, or tell me how, I'd appreciate it!
BTW this will be of interest to those here... a video of the two aforementioned docs installing a ProDisc-C
ORLive, Inc.: Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement Improves Mobility Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement Improves Mobility