Originally Posted by srasche on October 4, 2004

AGE AT SURGERY DATE: 39

SURGEON:Dr. Bertagnoli

SURGERY LOCATION/CLINIC:Rudolfinerhaus, Vienna

DEVICE(s), LEVEL(s):Prodisc, L4-5, L5-S1

COST = Total about $35,000
AMOUNT BILLED: ~$31,000
INSURANCE ALLOWED: big fat 0
OUT OF POCKET: $35,000
TRAVEL: ~$3,400
EXPLANATIONS?

ONSET OF LUMBAR PROBLEMS, DATE OF INJURY, CAUSE, ETC...: Ruptured L5/S1 Sept 10, 2001 using my back, not my legs!

PRIOR SPINE SURGERIES AND PROCEDURES (IDET, ESI, etc...): microdiscetomy Nov 6, 2001

PRE-OP MEDICATIONS: Neurontin 900 mg / day, hydrocodone 5 mg / day, Ibuprofen 250 mg, 6x/day

PRE-OP DIAGNOSTICS (discogram, nerve root blocks, etc...): DDD in two levels (L4/5, L5/S1) confirmed via numerous MRI's, CT, myleogram and extremely painful EMG test

PRE-OP NEUROPATHIES (what, where, & degree of pain, numbness, tingling, sexual/bladder/bowel symptoms, etc.): Constant lower back pain ranged from 5-8 on a daily basis, left leg and foot pain ranged from 4-6 daily

PRE-OP CONDITION (Please include %leg pain/% back pain, pain levels, type of pain, ability to work and function, disability status, etc.... be direct, but be as verbose as you need to):
I was having trouble sleeping through the night, even the weight of the covers was too heavy on my left leg. I couldn't lay on my left side, the pain was too great. I couldn't walk more than 3/4 mile. Sitting made the pain much worse.

TIME POST-OP AT ORIGINAL POST HERE: 8 weeks

DESCRIBE YOUR SURGICAL EXPERIENCE: Absolutely wonderful. The nurses in Vienna were unbelievably kind. I can't believe Dr. Bertagnoli has been performing ADR's for 17 years and we still don't have them approved in the US. What a shame.

RATE FUNCTIONALITY / SATISFACTION AT INTERVALS BELOW:

FUNCTIONALITY:
1. Very poor: much worse... disabled after surgery.
2. Poor: worse after surgery.
3. Neutral: No improvement, or improvements offset by new problems.
4. Fair, some improvement, limitations are still serious.
5. Good, substantial improvement, some limitations.
6. Excellent: no limitations.

SATISFACTION:
1. Very sorry I had the surgery.
2. Somewhat sorry I had the surgery.
3. Too soon to tell, or I'm ambivalent about the surgery.
4. I'm somewhat glad I did my surgery.
5. I'm very glad I did my surgery.

FUNCTIONALITY: __5_ SATISFACTION: _5__ [6 WEEKS POST-OP]

FUNCTIONALITY: _5_ SATISFACTION: _5_ [3 MONTHS POST-OP]

FUNCTIONALITY: _6_ SATISFACTION: _5_ [6 MONTHS POST-OP]

FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [1 YEAR POST-OP]

FUNCTIONALITY: ___ SATISFACTION: ___ [2 YEARS POST-OP]

6 WEEKS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ECT... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):
I am totally off my pain meds and am back to work 50 hours a week. I do have my office modified so that I can now either sit or stand during the day with a desk that is counter-height with a bar-stool height chair. I'd highly recommend this for anyone who has to go back to a desk job.

3 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]): I can't believe how much better life is 3 months post-op. I take ibuprofen every 2-3 days. That is it. I walk 2-3 miles 4 days a week and stretch 5-6 days a week. I'd highly recommend ADR's.

6 MONTHS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]): Oh my heavens, I can't believe how good I feel. I'm back to work 70 hours a week and can't remember the last time I even had to take ibuprofen for pain. I continue to pray for everyone still in pain. God bless you all. Feel free to e-mail me anytime with questions.

1 YEAR POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):

2 YEARS POST-OP - DESCRIBE LIFESTYLE / PAIN / MEDICATIONS / NEUROPATHIES / ETC... (discuss surgery induced symptoms [leg pain?]):