[ssn711eng]

SURGERY DATE: 10 September 2009

AGE AT SURGERY DATE: 35 year old male

SURGEON: Dr. Bertagnoli
PATIENT ADVOCATE: Tim Vicknair, European Medical Tourist

SURGERY LOCATION/CLINIC: Bogen KKH; Bogen, Germany

DEVICE(s), LEVEL(s): 2 level with Pro-Disc C (Nova); C4-C5, C5-C6

COST = 28,978 Euro
INSURANCE ALLOWED: 96%
OUT OF POCKET: 4% + travel, lodging and entertainment

ONSET OF CERVICAL PROBLEMS, DATE OF INJURY, CAUSE, ETC...: As an active duty submarine officer, was involved in a head-on submarine crash on January 8 2005 when the USS San Francisco hit an uncharted underwater mountain going flank speed. My head hit the wall going 34 knots. Since then, I have had neck pain and radiating arm pain that has increased in severity, intensity and duration over time.

PRIOR SPINE SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES (IDET, ESI, etc...): 2 epidural steroid injections to C5-C6 and a discogram to C4-C5.

PRE-OP MEDICATIONS: 20 mg OxyContin, 10 mg Cyclobenzaprine, and 900 mg Neurontin

PRE-OP NEUROPATHIES: Severe radiating right arm pain with tingling and intermittent numbness. Occasional neck pain.

PRE-OP CONDITION: 70% arm pain, 20% neck pain, and 10% depression / fatiguability

TIME POST-OP AT ORIGINAL POST HERE: 72 hours

DESCRIBE YOUR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE: Had a fantastic time in Bogen. Dr. Fenk-Mayer and Dr. Bertagnoli opted to do a discogram before surgery to ensure scope of treatment was correct. Ended up doing a 2 level ADR at C4-C6 instead of a 1 level ADR at C5-C6 as a result of this procedure.

On day of check in, had a discogram, refresher x-rays, an EKG, a check-in with pro-spine and a meeting with Dr. Masyk, the anasthesiologist.

On day of surgery, I was the third of three cases. The first was a 3 level cervical ADR, the second a lumbar case, and the third my case (2 level cervical). Went into the OR at about 5:00 pm and the surgery lasted until 8:30 pm. Spent the night in the ICU. Had some pain through the night and was very dehydrated. Was up and about the next day after being released from the ICU arm pain free. Have felt great ever since. Worst of it was the first night post op in the ICU by far.

I am very happy with my decision and am thankful to Dr. Bertagnoli, Tim Vicknair, and the rest of the Pro-Spine team.