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  #1  
Old 10-23-2019, 12:17 PM
kersor kersor is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 1
Smile New Here, S1-L4 Discogenic Disease

Hi Everyone,

After my insurance rejected a proposed S1-L4 Fusion, another surgeon (2nd opinion) Dr. Khachatyryan West Jordon Utah suggested a hybrid S1-L5 Fusion, L5-L4 ADR and that I go to Europe to do it because the costs would be prohibitive in the US and not covered by insurance.

In particular he referred me to Dr. Bertagnoli, but said there were others in Spain, France and Germany.

I have approached Dr. Clavel in Barcelona who agreed with the hybrid assessment and proposed surgery at a cost of 32K Euro.

Dr. Bertagnoli's office been slower to respond. I have heard from Tim Vicknair, his intermediary. While waiting for Dr. Bertagnoli's assessment, Mr. Vicknair indicated that he anticipated a 2 level ADR at a cost of approximately 39K-44K Euro.

Thoughts?

I am in a lot of pain and want to make the best choice. I am also very anxious at the prospect of having to make a trip to Europe.

What else should I be considering? What am I overlooking?

Thanks all,

KerSor
__________________
2005 Left L5-S1 Disc Herniation
2017 Degenerative Disc Disease S1-L4
9/2018 Stopped Working Due to Back Pain
Looking for best surgical option
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  #2  
Old 10-23-2019, 09:04 PM
Cheryl0331 Cheryl0331 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 890
Default Welcome

Dear KerSor,
Sorry that you are having this journey.
I don't know about lumbar personally, but I have had experience with Dr. Clavel. He tops in my book and already less than Dr. Bertagnoli.
Dr. Bierstedt was less than Dr. Clavel, but I chose Clavel because of the better assessment. Funcrew had surgery with Dr. Desai in Germany, so you may read his posts.
I can't speak to any in France.
Quiron hospital was so clean, you could eat off the floor. I loved Barcelona. I have family by marriage in Germany. My daughter in law's mother in German. Beautiful country, as well as Spain. The weather in Spain was fabulous. I lived in Baumholder Germany , when my ex spouse was stationed there. We love Europe! Standards there are extremely high. I wish you well on your path to healing.
__________________
54 yr old female 5'7" 147 lbs. non-smoker conservative treatments failed
2007 fusion @ C4-6 peek cages, failed due to long term use of cox-2 inhibitor
2008 revised C4-6 donor bone, plate & screws
2009 fusion with Roi-C @ C3-4
2015 MRI & CT mjr ddd @ C6-7, segmental kyphosis at C7-T1, 2-level M6-C prosthesis by Dr. Clavel Barcelona Spain
2019 H.O. formed behind M6-C @ C6-7 left nerve rt & in spinal canal.
2020 Revision C6-7 to a CP-ESP prosthesis by Dr. Schmitz Dusseldorf Germany
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