Set for Pro-Disc L5-S1 Bertagnoli

[davros354]

Hello; I am scheduled to have a TDR with Dr. Bertagnoli in Germany in a few months. It appears it will be the Pro-Disc L. The Orthopedic surgeon that performed hand surgery on me in the U.S has a Pro-Disc C in his neck. He stated that there are very good surgeons in the US that perform said surgeries, and to not go with the oldest TDR design nor the newest. I have checked here in the U.S. One surgeon associative of the Cleveland Clinic informed me that he has taken out as many TDR's as he has put in and that I was not a candidate for TDR, and that TDR is dangerous especially in regard to the arteries. Another surgeon recommended fusion. After long hours of research I decided on Dr. Bertagnoli in Germany. I guess when it is over I will know and post my results. Wish me luck...

[Harrison]

Hi Dav, pls tell us more about your spinal history. And see:

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f58...-health-11053/

Let me know if you need help with the above. Also, this multi-page topic is a must:

http://www.adrsupport.org/forums/f51...ications-9620/

[davros354]

Harrison; I completed the Signature Post.

[CDW321]

Hello Davros -

Welcome. You are in the company of many back pain people.
People on this board don't seem to be going to Bertagnoli so much now; I'm not sure why that is. If you are interested in consulting with experienced U.S. ADR surgeons I would try contacting the Texas Back Institute. All three of the surgeons there are extremely experienced. I saw Dr. Blumenthal recently and am considering him. There is also Dr. Zigler and Dr. Guyer. Expertise and experience, from what I understand, is critical if you are to have ADR surgery and they definitely have it.
Most U.S. surgeons will discourage ADR. It is extremely confusing to know who is more right on this issue. The FDA studies showed ADR to be at least as safe and effective as Fusion. Despite what many here will say about the FDA, their studies on the Prodisc are, to date, the only thorough, objective and multi-center studies done on the procedure.
I hope that helps get you started. Many others will add to this, I am sure.

[Grover771]

Hi Dav,
First, I wish you all the best in your surgery with Dr. Bertagnoli. I chose to use Dr. Blumenthal, at TBI for my 3 level LUMBAR hybrid (2 ADR and 1 fusion). From what I'd researched, the ProDisc C had pretty good success rates as well.

You can find more information on here by doing a simple search. Just type in your keywords (such as ProDisc, Bertagnoli, Insurance, etc)... While I haven't been on in a while, I can't imagine not going through what I did without all of these friends.

Best of luck,

Originally Posted by davros354

Hello; I am scheduled to have a TDR with Dr. Bertagnoli in Germany in a few months. It appears it will be the Pro-Disc L. The Orthopedic surgeon that performed hand surgery on me in the U.S has a Pro-Disc C in his neck. He stated that there are very good surgeons in the US that perform said surgeries, and to not go with the oldest TDR design nor the newest. I have checked here in the U.S. One surgeon associative of the Cleveland Clinic informed me that he has taken out as many TDR's as he has put in and that I was not a candidate for TDR, and that TDR is dangerous especially in regard to the arteries. Another surgeon recommended fusion. After long hours of research I decided on Dr. Bertagnoli in Germany. I guess when it is over I will know and post my results. Wish me luck...

[davros354]

Thanks for the advice and the links that appeared at the bottom of the page. It is all very helpful.

[Jerry5]

Davros,

Please look at the Spinal Kinetics M6.

If I can get pre-authorization from BC World, I will have three of these.

They best mimick the natural movement of the (natural) disc.

The ball and socket, seem to cause much unnatural movement, and cause (hypertrophy, I know, I have this already) (wear and tear) on the facet joints.

The M6, has motion in six degrees, hence, the name M6.

There are many that can put this in, and have implanted thousands.

Will not recommend who you should see, but if you send me Private, I can give you more details and who I will go see.

All the Best, one issue for sure, this is a game changer.

[jss]

Dave,

After your "long hours" of research it sounds as though you've done your due diligence. Finding someone with more experience than Bertagnoli would be difficult.

Good luck, Jeff