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Old 04-05-2007, 06:04 PM
Ilene Ilene is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 6
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Cindylou, my surgery in Stenum was after having had 4 previous surgeries in the U.S. I had 3 surgeries in Stenum (7 in all). My spinal issues started with a 12 cm mass at my L4 - L5 level and my last ditch hope for recovery was Germany! However, the doctors made me come over to their facility 1 week early so they could perform their own tests. They were not sure that they could help me up to that point. So, I went to Stenum with blind faith. Yes, they decided that they would do the procedures with reasonable belief that they could give me relief.

The 5 ADR were: C3-4, C4-5, L5 - S1, L3 - L4, L4 - L5, plus 2 cages, and refusions (3x) L3 - L4, L4 - L5, C5 - C6, C6 - C7.

Our 'argument' with the insurance company was many faceted:
1.) this was the 3rd time that I have had to have refusions. The fusions were not holding and were backing out. The first time that this happened one of the screws broke loose and backed down in to a major muscle (hip); and
2.) NO ONE in the U.S. was willing to handle my case. Mayo Clinic sent me around and around not knowing what to do with my case. Records documentation exist.
3.) Had other options been available to me in the U.S. I would not have gone to Germany. This was my last ditch effort to try and get any improvement with my spinal condition; and
4.) Our insurance company not only turned us down, but also stated that any subsquent medical claims related to my spine or medical issues resulting from the spine will not be covered. This is the biggest reason we are using an attorney. We cannot afford for me to be uninsured when insurance is clearly available to me.
etc., etc., etc.

If anyone does know the name of a top notch spinal specialist - anywhere in the U.S. please let me know. I would feel better knowing that there is a doctor available to me in the event of an emergency within the continental U.S.

Ilene
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