Considering ADR for L5/S1 with Dr. Bertagnoli

[DaisyD]

Hello ADR community
I have gotten to the point where I believe that the only way to improve the quality of my life is to get the ADR surgery for my L5/S1 disc. I live in Canada and there are only a handful of doctors who do lumbar ADR's and their waitlists are 2-3 years long just for the initial consultation.



I've been researching my options and am leaning towards Dr. Bertagnoli at Bogen Klinik in Germany.



If there is anyone out there who has had a recent experience with Dr. Bertagnoli for a lumbar ADR, I would live hearing from you!



I am really scared to go ahead with this, but am equally scared living my life in my current condition.



I've had two discectomies in 2021 (and a dural sac repair 10 days after my second discectomy in Dec 2021, so a total of three spinal surgeries between May and December 2021) and the neurosurgeon I spoke with two weeks ago told me that there is nothing more they can do for me in terms of pain. She said that the scan may look better with a new disc, but my condition will likely not improve.



I have heard from Dr. Bertagnoli's contact (Tim), as well as from ONZ (Mike) and they both say that I am a good candidate for ADR.



Not sure who to believe.



I had a skiing accident in Feb 2020. Prior to that, I was generally fine. I suppose the L5/S1 had been weakened/bulging (with no obvious symptoms) prior to 2020, and was herniated with the 2020 fall, but the rest of my spine (bones and discs) are generally ok. I am 50 and otherwise in a good shape with no medical concerns, so I am very reluctant to accept the Canadian doctor's view. I had to stop working 7 weeks ago and my life has been reduced to only pain. I need to do something soon.



If you have had a good experience recently with another doctor in Germany for a lumbar ADR, I would also like to hear from you. I have seen the names of Dr. Desai and Dr. Ritter-Lang mentioned with positive comments. I met with Dr. Illerhaus from ONZ a week ago, but see many negative comments about ONZ posted, so I am reluctant to go to them.



Thank you in advance for any assistance you can offer.