My 3 mo X ray - Discs tilted all over the place

[trkdoc714]

This will probably upset some people but here's my humble opinion:

First of all this is advice I would give to my son or my brother and it's intended to assist you in putting an end to your pain.

Why would you want to continue down the same path that's led you to where you are now? Your original surgeon has obviously turned his back on you. You went there for a 2 level and he gave you 3. The pathology may or may not have been present to perform such a risky surgery but especially with an unproven device (Nova). You also keep going to the same people for advice. These are the same people that aimed you down the path you're on now.

The process to implant both ProDisc and the Maverick both destroy bone to be implanted. The Nova destroys twice as much since it has two keels. The bone on 6 vertebral surfaces has been severely damaged and weakened the structures. I would hope a competent surgeon (and his medical tour guide) would have the character to admit their errors and point you in the direction to get you healed and not a direction to save them the embarrassment of having to admit fault.

I don't post here very often as I'm sure most know of my opinion and disdain of the purpose of this forum being for a business opportunity and not the well being of spine patients.

Bob

5 Months, 5 Days from successful Maverick ADRs at L4/5 and L5/S1 at Stenum Hospital by Dr. Karsten Ritter-Lang.

[dshobbies]

Yes Bob,

We all know your opinion and instead of offering anything constructive or positive, you choose only to provide negative and insulting posts. Though I usually refrain from these types of comments, you are not as asset to this forum or those posting here.

I believe Steve has made his point of view perfectly clear and if he or his 'medical tour guide' honestly believed an error was made and that this was not just an unfortunate happinstance as opposed to medical misjudgment, they both would be just as forthcoming.

Your posts serve no purpose here. This forum is about an exchange of ideas, suggestions and support. You provide neither. Your only purpose to post is to insult. You are the one not contrbuting to the well being of anyone, be it a spine patient or otherwise, for very selfish reasons. Negative criticism is useful when provided for the betterment of other posters but not when used for spite and maliciousness.

Mark, I know you don't taking banning posters lightly but this man contributes nothing close to the intent of this forum.

[Bill1961]

Maybe Bob's approach is a bit aggressive, but maybe he's trying to get Steve's attention. You have to admit if you brought your dog in for a surgery and you had this type of an outcome would you go back to the same vet.?

With that said this forum does put Dr. Bertagnoli on a pedestal. Many times I see postings as the "great" Dr. B., "The worlds best surgeon Dr. B." He may be a great surgeon, the are a lot of very good surgeons. I would say he is probably an outstanding representative for Pro Disc. Most of his trips to the states is probably somehow related to Synthis Pro Disc training. I doubt it's to train on another product. Of course this is just my observation.

So if everyone keeps calling him the "best", a patient could hold on to false hopes. In Steve's situation, his neck is messed up. No question he needs a very good surgeon. If I recall correctly he was close to getting in with Dr. Reagan a couple of months back but held off because Dr. B. recommended massage therapy.

So just recapping, the guy pays x dollars for 2 disks and that's changed to 3, he has a subsidence issue and Dr. B's assistant says it's urgent he goes back to Germany, then Dr. B. thinks it's not that bad and a massage is the solution. Now he's in great pain and desperate and still the go to guy is Dr. B.?

If anyone wants to give advice for a particular Dr., in this case you may want to throw some names out for Dr's who have performed extensive reconstruction. Again I am not questioning Dr. Bertagnoli's skills and I'm sure he has many successful surgery's but it may be time to get a couple of independent opinions. It seems like Steve has got one in Texas and now he'll get one from Dr. Reagan. So hopefully he'll make the best decision he can.

Everyone with an ADR is a pioneer. There will be many successes and many failures. This board should allow people like Bob to speak their mind. We can't all drink the cool aid.

[Katie]

Bob's statement wasn't so much negative as realistic. He's just pointing out the facts, and that may help Steve take another look at where he is heading. I think the Dr. Regan plan is in his best interests, and I hope he finally gets the deserved relief.

Steve, you almost sound Canadian, as we apologize to people who step on our toes, just to make sure no one is offended ;-) You have so much resting on this decision. Please go carefully and niceness be damned.

[steve55]

Well, I'm not at all offended by any of these opinionated posts. I did my homework prior to going with dr b. I saw way too many success stories to doubt his skills. I had a extremely hard time finding any negative outcomes on dr b. But somehow, I just had to be that rare statistic. I've been telling mark all along that I am leaning heavily with whatever dr Regan recommends. I got a quote of 23k for that surgery in MI with dr b for which I have a &6k deductible and a 70/30 out of network split. Also, dr b is not charging anything for his services. I believe syntheses is somehow reimbursing him something for the revision. Given that my humana reimburses at Medicare rates, it's likely I'll end up paying $15k or more to go this route. Dr Regan's quote has already confirmed $10k out of pocket after doing the preauthorization with my insurance. I guess I'm still leaning heavily with dr Regan. Mark is almost done uploading my images after which he will email dr Regan for me so I can get a phone consultation lined up, then maybe a surgery date.

[trkdoc714]

As stated "this will probably upset some people". I'm sorry constructive advice was taken poorly by some.

Steve has shared his story with us and I think we can all feel his pain and empathize with his situation. My advice is heartfelt and intended to let him know there are people that care about his getting well.

The bias of some on this forum is well documented. No criticism was aimed at Dr. B for implanting the ProDisc upside down, another doctor was demonized for supposedly doing the same thing with a Charite.

I don't feel comfortable sharing my success/ recovery story on this site due to the biased attitude of some. I've received fairly nasty PMs after I've aired opposing statements and ideas to the advice given to some of those struggling with their pain. I'd love to share the story if for no other reason than to give others hope, not advice on which doctor to see or disc to choose.

As you are a director Dale, I would hope you would be more in tune with letting all opinions air on this open forum rather than suggesting banishment for someone that holds opposing views. If you'd rather have me banned than consider the opinions I hold as having some value for others, so be it. After all, why would anyone want to hear from somebody that had successful surgery at a non-GPN network surgeon?

Again, I'm sorry if anyone took offence from my advice aimed at helping Steve. I have 7 children/ step children and this would be the same advice I'd give them.

Bob