L4-5 Charite ADR Stenum

[Katie]

I can't speak for Bob, but I think he may have the same issues as I have with all this Stenum bashing. If no one has any evidence of poor surgical practice in the past four years, why is this continuing?

If there were bad choices made, I believe that they must have learned from them and moved on. I know in the year and a half I have been waiting to raise funds to go there, they have changed several practices to improve the patients' outcomes.

I have personally spoken to over a dozen of their patients from the past two years, and all have had wonderful results. If someone else can come forth with legitimate issues, then fair enough. If not, let's drop it. We can find all sorts of mistakes from other surgeons. I would like to make an educated decision as much as anybody, but I cannot when this is so one-sided. Give me the stats on the others too, please. They are out there.

[dshobbies]

Bob,

I understand your anger and am very sorry the timing of Mark's post scared your wife. I don't think I would have reacted differently. But, and it's a big one, you are reading Mark very wrong.

Though Mark has to make a living, he doesn't do what he does for the money. There isn't enough time in the day for him to hold down a 'normal' job and still be the patient advocate he has become. He helps people because he wants to but altruism does not pay the bills. The fees he charges are quite reasonable and affordable by most. Choices to use and/or which services to use are completely up to any individual. I have often posted that Mark was my best investment into my back and he made my journey so much easier. I had spent two years walking in circles until I found him and then, voila, my surgery was scheduled. If you want to go it alone, you still have his support as well as those on this and other forums.

In a recent phone conversation I had with Mark, I asked how to educate 'newbies' about Stenum's history. This post may (or not) be a result of that conversation.

This is a right to know issue. Stenum rang their own bell too many times, however in the past, to ignore this history. If any individual feels corrective measures have been in place for four or more years, they also have the right to choose this hospital for their ONE shot at getting better. As posted often, it's your body and you have the final word. BUT you also have the right to know all the facts and make that determination for yourself. One scenario goes as follows;

You go to Stenum for back surgery which ultimately is unsuccessful. This happens even with the best surgeon and care. You come to discover their history and the first thing that comes to your mind is, 'Why didn't anyone tell me'. Well for anyone currently posting or reading this forum, he told them and showed them, nothing more, nothing less. Just as you have a right to your opinion, so does he. I understand because of what he’s done, how much of it and for how long, his opinion will generally carry more weight. This does not minimize your opinion and/or choice.

History is hard to live down and you have to prove yourself over and over again. It's the price you must pay for doing something wrong in the first place. Once a child lies, their truthfulness is always doubted.
Bob, you made your choice, you’re happy with it and your surgery went well. I couldn’t be happier for you. In fact, even though we don’t know each other, I’m thrilled that your suffering days are over. A life of pain is no way to live. I wish you and your wife nothing but the best life possible but Mark is one of the good guys. He has no agenda to push other than don’t waste your one chance. Educate yourself.

Dale

[New-disc]

Hello,

Now you know my only motive.

To help others by showing them my true life story.

My gift to others!!!

Todd

[trkdoc714]

I appreciate the loyalty shown by all of Mark's friends. He obviously has earned it. I also appreciate your defences of his points of view.

I did not want to alienate my new online brothers and sisters. I was and still am quite concerned about the increases in Stenum bashing when it is not due. In my work I deal with fact. Verifiable fact. Most if not all of the stories bandied about regarding Stenum and namely Dr. Ritter-Lang may have a morsel of fact but they also have truckloads of urban legend built in. I found this especially true in this thread. Ask yourselves these questions:

Why would this person (first and last post) bring this up now?

What would motivate her to even find this forum to post this information?

How did she get her hands on someone else's XRay/ MRI films?

How do we know these XRay/ MRIs aren't just "stock films" from a Charite class action web site?

Why did the unfortunate death as the result of drugs (Addiction? Overdose?) get twisted into placing the blame on Dr. Ritter-Lang?

Why wasn't the several class action suits against DuPuy (Charite) given the blame as that disc has had multiple failures including several identical as this case?

As my daughter-in-law works for DuPuy, she had given me technical literature on the Charite when I first became aware of ADR. The top and bottom plates are designed to be used in either top or bottom position. The technical explanation for this is the either vertabral surface may be more accommodating to one particular plate. Why is a non-medical professional, non-engineer claiming that this was a factor in the core slipping out? If it was a factor, criticism should be directed on DuPuy not Stenum or Dr. Ritter-Lang.

CindyLou and Dale, I have prayed for you both to finally find the end of your pains. I hope this was the last surgery for CL and I hope Dale finds her "fix" soon as well. I hope I don't offend either of you.

The fact remains however that the leaders of this forum must stop this unethical bashing of Stenum and of Dr. Ritter-Lang in particular. I've held my tongue (typing fingers) a long time but with my wife in tears on the phone with me a few thousand miles away just out of surgery, I was compelled to let it out finally. Mark probably does have his good points. However, once he hurt my wife, I refuse stand by and let it go any longer. The irresponsibility and lack of ethics is inexcusable.

I hope you all still will communicate with me and not think poorly of me. I want to help others on this forum in the same way I've been helped. It feels great to be alive again and I have a lot of you to thank for helping me get here!

Bob

[kc0iet]

trkdoc714,

First, let me say that I am very happy for you. I too would have likely written a similar response my first few months post op. I have never had a bad word to say for the staff or accommodations in the new American ward at Stenum Hospital.

BUT, how dare you insinuate that my post was not based in fact! I came to this board because I wanted to share my story and because I am again facing surgery. I had a 2 level ADR at Stenum in 2004 and a fusion in 2006. I have been in a wheelchair and homebound spending an average of 20 hours a day in bed ever since. The reason I came to this site now, is because my pain has increased to an uncontrollable level, now AND I have emailed and written Stenem several times with absolutely no reply or response in any way.

I too am a person that bases everything on fact. I posted my story as honestly and truthfully as I possibly could. Had Stenum made any effort to contact me, that information would have been included in my story, but they have not. Now I am looking at a two or three level 360 fusion, the very thing that cost me everything to avoid. I do not have the funds to see the only doctor in the country that might be able to save me from this destiny.

The one thing I can agree with is that I have not seen or heard about the poor results since Stenum changed to the Maverick Disc, but that does not change what happened to me, John, Mr. B, and all the others.

I am sincerely happy for you and wish for you nothing but the best and a continued pain free life. I have no doubt that you will leave Stenum (as did I) feeling hopeful, happy and grateful. You have as much right to post your opinion as anyone but I do take it personally when someone states that my story is not based in fact. I would never post anything but the facts.