"A Grave Error" with Prodisc Implantation in Germany

[Job13]

RIP Freedom of speech.

[dshobbies]

Job13,

This is my 3rd attempt at this post ????? so I'll keep it short. There's no excuse for the treatment you received from both Dr. B & FM. I agree there was less than adaquate response to your post surgical pain as well as pre-surgery advice.

The nerve damage I sustained during surgery has also been ignored but getting my life back completely overshadowed any negativity.

I still think Dr. B is an excellent surgeon but agree the treatment you received on both counts was and is still inexcusable. All of us who had positive experiences with Dr. B are scratching our heads in wondering why.

I hope your life is better and that you and your husband have both found new jobs.

Dale

[Maria]

Job13,
I was one of the persons that at one time had multiple opinions re ADR (2 levels or hybrid surgery) to take care of my chronic low back pain post failed back surgery on L4/L5S1 (discectomies).

What stopped me from having more surgery was actually feeling better and being more active. I have been too much in fear that I'd return to the horrible post failed back surgery status I suffered for years with horrendous neuropathies and Arachnoiditis like symptoms from my waist down bilaterally thru extremities.

Back in 1992 the surgeon that did my L4 discectomy didn't want to admit failure either and shuffled me gladly off to PM. He did allow a 2nd opinion with his OSS buddy who told me to see a proctologist and gynecologist for my symptoms and basically said I was crazy...

So I've been one of the ones that just has left my back to it's own fate and have hoped for the best and so far so good tho returning to work hasn't been in the picture to date. Maybe in the future. I'm positive since my pain is pretty well controlled "so far" these last 4 years.

I hope your recovery has continued and both you and your husband are doing better. I'm sorry to hear what a terrible experience you had with Dr.B and I too wonder why you got no response~

I do thank you for posting your experience as I think it's good for people considering surgery that may be recommended but isn't emergent or definately necessary (tho thought it would be helpful) to know that spine surgery isn't something to go into lightly.

I thank Mark for not banning your post.

Job13 it's good to hear from you again.

[jamie5136]

As I know personally these posts are viewed by the doctors themselves, so I am going to keep this short. I feel your pain and went through a highly unsuccessful surgery in Germany myself. I don't think this error was on purpose, but nonetheless, my three discs (2 of the 3) sank up into my vertebrae (badly) and then cemented in place... consequently I am left with massive pain in my lower back, upper back, legs, etc. I have been told I can come back for xx number of dollars for artificial facets and a fusion, which may be an option, but I would try to go to someone close or someone who has good follow-up. I get about one email every 4-6 months, have had one call and that's it. No return emails in ages. They have my 60k in a Cyprus bank account, so I am nobody now. I was told it was a 95+% success rate and later found this was not true. He has a salesperson work for him schlepping his services. I believed it would be successful, had no idea about subsidence or degenerating facets, etc. I was lied to. If I had to do this over again, I would have fused L5S1 and done an ADR at L45 and that's it. These three CANNOT be removed w/out dying on the table and I hear that fusing in place is not successful, I can't take pain meds, so I am left in daily misery. My life was turned upside down. I can't have children now, my family is left sad and angry and my fiance feels so bad for the pain I endure daily. I now know why insurance does not pay for these; they are experimental. I would not only not recommend this surgery, but I would not go over-seas; plenty of good doctors in the USA. I am sad and in pain and feel hopeless. Do your research, talk to patients and be leery of those who "work" for doctors as liaisons. Mark was the only person who helped me, but no solution was worked out as 10+ doctors had all different views on how to "fix" me... fuse in place, take out, do nothing, etc. etc. Who can I trust? Nonetheless, I am a cripple now. I get private messages all the time of people with similar stories and concerns about said doctors. They fear posting, but I get private emails; the whole thing is sad. People are given hope, robbed blind, and left in pain with no solution; very sad.

[dshobbies]

I wish I could say more than I'm sorry. Your miracle turned into a disaster. I can only hope that your solution can be found and is successful. We all say the choice of doctors is the first choice - even that guarantees nothing.

These forums give hope and sympathy. All posts are important because they paint the true picture. When shopping for a new washing machine, I want to hear from the repair department just how many need repairs. If a surgeon won't paint his true picture, these forums should. We want to hear the good but we NEED to hear the bad. Only then can we get a true picture of a doctor and/or a surgery/device.

Jamie, I sincerely hope you find the solution you need- and the sooner the better.

Dale

[Job13]

RIP Freedom of Speech

[dshobbies]

I can't begin to put myself in your shoes. Had this surgery occurred in the US, the malpractice award would have sustained you for life and you would have been able to find that surragate, not that money would or could make up for what you've been through. I'm so sorry your life's circumstances have been permanantly and negatively altered. I wish there were words of wisdom but none come to mind. My emotions run very strong when I hear a story of unnecessary suffering at the hands of those who are supposed to help. My anger overshadows my sorrow.

I wish you well and hope your suffering is not so constant as to allow you to enjoy some living.

Dale - and though I do have 3 sons, the picture is of my 3 grandchildren.

[nomorepain]

i unfortunetly feel a lil funny about posting this listening to your experiences of your prodisc surgeries, i do feel your pain as i suffered with 2 collapsed levels myself for many many years before my prodisc surgery, although my story is different. I am in the US trials as you can read my posts and my surgical experiences. i have had very favorable results. It seems to me that spinal surgery is like a crap shoot. sometimes it works well, and other times it doesn't. there are so many variables. as we all know we are all similar, but we all handle surgery differently and we recover differently. there are good surgeons and not so good surgeons, and even the good surgeons sometimes have undesirable results. It's a shame that those responsible won't treat you as before surgery, as that is what their oath is about isn't it? i do hope you get some resolve and soon and i am glad you posted your issues, this is what this forum is all about .