Re: german, disc replacement

March 4, 2006

There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire process

especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

used.

The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email address

and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

_ThoracicPark/_

(ThoracicPark/)

Good luck,

March 4, 2006

i know the Germans are the pioneers of this process. i was also told i was not

a candidate for it basically because i have no disc space left in my lumbar

area.

i have been doing tons of research because i was told the only thing that would

help me was a 3/4 spinal fusion and the more i read about that the more i know i

am NOT going to do it.

and i have learned that disc replacement can often fail and require fusion

somewhere down the road. however, since you are working in the cervical area of

your spine and are probably only replacing a few disks(?) and are going to have

it done by the best, your percentage for a good outcome is probably high.

i am exploring laser back surgery with the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, FL.

sounds like they will be able to correct many of my problems with a way less

invasive process, faster recovery time, fewer complications. but i would like

to talk to someone to has had some experience in this area.

good luck!

Carlene in MT

german, disc replacement

I'm looking into an artificial cervical disc replacement available in

germany (prestige disc). If anyone has any knowledge or experience with

this please let me know.

March 4, 2006

there are clinics doing it in the US but they do not have the years of

experience that the Germans do. however, some of them are having good success

rates if only a few discs are being replaced.

Carlene

Re: german, disc replacement

There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire process

especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

used.

The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email address

and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

_ThoracicPark/_

(ThoracicPark/)

Good luck,

March 5, 2006

in the US , it is lumbar only. For cervical, there are currently FDA

clinical trials and I think they are gathering candidates. I probably

wouldn't be one because you have to have problems at only one level.

Besides, I'd rather go somewhere where they do these almost every day.

Carlene Farmer wrote:

>there are clinics doing it in the US but they do not have the years of

experience that the Germans do. however, some of them are having good success

rates if only a few discs are being replaced.

>

>Carlene

>

> Re: german, disc replacement

>

>There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

>Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire process

>especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

>very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

>used.

>

>The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

>search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email address

>and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

>

>_ThoracicPark/_

>(ThoracicPark/)

>

>Good luck,

>

March 5, 2006

that seems odd to me. why would lack of disc space eliminate artificial

disc as a solution? Isn't that exactly what the artificial disc is for?

I agree with you on fusions. In fact, I'm almost starting to think that

we, as patients, need to push back on this more in order to improve

spinal treatment.

I appreciate the tip on laser surgery. But I'm suprised that can deal

with the issue you describe. I may look into this myself. I'm curious

why florida - is that local for you or are they considered they top

practitioners?

Carlene Farmer wrote:

>i know the Germans are the pioneers of this process. i was also told i was not

a candidate for it basically because i have no disc space left in my lumbar

area.

>

>i have been doing tons of research because i was told the only thing that would

help me was a 3/4 spinal fusion and the more i read about that the more i know i

am NOT going to do it.

>

>and i have learned that disc replacement can often fail and require fusion

somewhere down the road. however, since you are working in the cervical area of

your spine and are probably only replacing a few disks(?) and are going to have

it done by the best, your percentage for a good outcome is probably high.

>

>i am exploring laser back surgery with the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, FL.

sounds like they will be able to correct many of my problems with a way less

invasive process, faster recovery time, fewer complications. but i would like

to talk to someone to has had some experience in this area.

>

>good luck!

>

>Carlene in MT

>

> german, disc replacement

>

>I'm looking into an artificial cervical disc replacement available in

>germany (prestige disc). If anyone has any knowledge or experience with

>this please let me know.

>

March 5, 2006

Surgeon in India do this on a regular basis. Can give you at least 3 North

American references. These surgeons are trained in germany and France and have

done a lot more cases than surgeons in the US.

Yasmeen

dave sailer <d.sailer@...> wrote:

in the US , it is lumbar only. For cervical, there are currently FDA

clinical trials and I think they are gathering candidates. I probably

wouldn't be one because you have to have problems at only one level.

Besides, I'd rather go somewhere where they do these almost every day.

Carlene Farmer wrote:

>there are clinics doing it in the US but they do not have the years of

experience that the Germans do. however, some of them are having good success

rates if only a few discs are being replaced.

>

>Carlene

>

> Re: german, disc replacement

>

>There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

>Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire process

>especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

>very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

>used.

>

>The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

>search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email address

>and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

>

>_ThoracicPark/_

>(ThoracicPark/)

>

>Good luck,

>

March 5, 2006

check out the testimonials on www.surgicaltourism.ca and if you wish to speak

with people that have recently had disc replacements in India, write to me at

ysayeed@...

Yasmeen

Carlene Farmer <birddog@...> wrote:

i know the Germans are the pioneers of this process. i was also told i was

not a candidate for it basically because i have no disc space left in my lumbar

area.

i have been doing tons of research because i was told the only thing that would

help me was a 3/4 spinal fusion and the more i read about that the more i know i

am NOT going to do it.

and i have learned that disc replacement can often fail and require fusion

somewhere down the road. however, since you are working in the cervical area of

your spine and are probably only replacing a few disks(?) and are going to have

it done by the best, your percentage for a good outcome is probably high.

i am exploring laser back surgery with the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, FL.

sounds like they will be able to correct many of my problems with a way less

invasive process, faster recovery time, fewer complications. but i would like

to talk to someone to has had some experience in this area.

good luck!

Carlene in MT

german, disc replacement

I'm looking into an artificial cervical disc replacement available in

germany (prestige disc). If anyone has any knowledge or experience with

this please let me know.

March 5, 2006

if I can afford to go to germany, are there compelling reasons to go to

india?

yasmeen sayeed wrote:

>Surgeon in India do this on a regular basis. Can give you at least 3 North

American references. These surgeons are trained in germany and France and have

done a lot more cases than surgeons in the US.

>

> Yasmeen

>

>dave sailer <d.sailer@...> wrote:

> in the US , it is lumbar only. For cervical, there are currently FDA

>clinical trials and I think they are gathering candidates. I probably

>wouldn't be one because you have to have problems at only one level.

>Besides, I'd rather go somewhere where they do these almost every day.

>

>Carlene Farmer wrote:

>

>>there are clinics doing it in the US but they do not have the years of

experience that the Germans do. however, some of them are having good success

rates if only a few discs are being replaced.

>>

>>Carlene

>>

>> Re: german, disc replacement

>>

>>There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

>>Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire

process

>>especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

>>very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

>>used.

>>

>>The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

>>search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email

address

>>and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

>>

>>_ThoracicPark/_

>>(ThoracicPark/)

>>

>>Good luck,

>>

March 5, 2006

compelling reasons would be on top being operated by a surgeon with a lot of

expertise, saving at least 40% on costs, getting a private room with 25hr one on

one nursing, and post op stay in a wonderful beach resort. If you are interested

please e-mail me at ysayeed@... and I will put you in touch with

a patient who had a discektomy, fusion as well as disc replacement just in

December 05

Yasmeen

dave sailer <d.sailer@...> wrote:

if I can afford to go to germany, are there compelling reasons to go to

india?

yasmeen sayeed wrote:

>Surgeon in India do this on a regular basis. Can give you at least 3 North

American references. These surgeons are trained in germany and France and have

done a lot more cases than surgeons in the US.

>

> Yasmeen

>

>dave sailer <d.sailer@...> wrote:

> in the US , it is lumbar only. For cervical, there are currently FDA

>clinical trials and I think they are gathering candidates. I probably

>wouldn't be one because you have to have problems at only one level.

>Besides, I'd rather go somewhere where they do these almost every day.

>

>Carlene Farmer wrote:

>

>>there are clinics doing it in the US but they do not have the years of

experience that the Germans do. however, some of them are having good success

rates if only a few discs are being replaced.

>>

>>Carlene

>>

>> Re: german, disc replacement

>>

>>There is a woman named Gayle who had thoracic disc replacement done in

>>Germany about 2 years ago. She seemed to be very happy about the entire

process

>>especially since they don't do this surgery state side yet. Germany also has a

>>very high success rate with very low infections because of the techniques

>>used.

>>

>>The address or link to the area is listed below. You should be able to

>>search the postings without being a member. I will try to find an email

address

>>and post your question and have her respond on this web site.

>>

>>_ThoracicPark/_

>>(ThoracicPark/)

>>

>>Good luck,

>>

March 6, 2006

You should be able to have successful cervical disc replacement eventually

in the US. It sounds as if other countries perform these surgeries on a regular

basis and offer better quality health care in some instances. I am pretty

sure that replacement of lumbar disc is approved by FDA and cervical will be

next. I hope that THORACIC disc replacement makes it on that list

eventually. I wish everyone the best of luck in obtaining medical treatment

for their

various spinal problems. If anyone has information on places that perform

regular thoracic disc replacement, drop me a email.

Thanks and God bless,

March 6, 2006

because where the discs are gone, there is arthritic fusion; my low back is a

mess. also, too many levels.

I refuse to do any kind of fusion or even disc replacement at this point. I

cannot see subjecting myself to have 3/4 of my back laid open, lots of blood

loss, hours of general anesthetic, and a myriad of very scary complications and

months of recovery only to still be in pain and have nerve problems, limited

mobility, etc. even doctors, like the one I saw who is considered one of the

best for fusions, still told me there is a 100% complication rate.

I have done a bunch a research on the laser spine surgery. there are dozens of

clinics across the country in major metropolitan areas of CA and FL especially

but the pioneers are in FL and in particular the Laser Spine Institute who have

contacted me. I will be talking to them today. they will do an evaluation of

my condition by me just sending them my MRIs and a medical form with details of

my situation.

orthopods do fusion because that is what they know now and there is no doubt

that it has helped many people but it has also caused continuous problems for

more people. the statistics are not good but sometimes there is no other

alternative.

the surgeon I spoke to said that 9 out of 10 people he gives this diagnosis to,

go home without doing the surgery. and he encouraged me to " think about it " and

to also " try as many other options as possible " . I just had an ablation on 8

levels in my low back last week and am now getting some much needed relief. I

am working with my rolfer to try to release the thoracic vertebra into a

straighter position and then I will be seriously looking for the best laser doc

who can deal with arthritic spurs, stenosis, bulging discs, scar tissue, etc.

I wish the best to everyone facing these health issues. daily pain is

emotionally and physically draining and we should not have to be forced to " deal

with " using narcotics.

Carlene

Re: german, disc replacement

that seems odd to me. why would lack of disc space eliminate artificial

disc as a solution? Isn't that exactly what the artificial disc is for?

I agree with you on fusions. In fact, I'm almost starting to think that

we, as patients, need to push back on this more in order to improve

spinal treatment.

I appreciate the tip on laser surgery. But I'm suprised that can deal

with the issue you describe. I may look into this myself. I'm curious

why florida - is that local for you or are they considered they top

practitioners?

Carlene Farmer wrote:

>i know the Germans are the pioneers of this process. i was also told i was not

a candidate for it basically because i have no disc space left in my lumbar

area.

>

>i have been doing tons of research because i was told the only thing that would

help me was a 3/4 spinal fusion and the more i read about that the more i know i

am NOT going to do it.

>

>and i have learned that disc replacement can often fail and require fusion

somewhere down the road. however, since you are working in the cervical area of

your spine and are probably only replacing a few disks(?) and are going to have

it done by the best, your percentage for a good outcome is probably high.

>

>i am exploring laser back surgery with the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, FL.

sounds like they will be able to correct many of my problems with a way less

invasive process, faster recovery time, fewer complications. but i would like

to talk to someone to has had some experience in this area.

>

>good luck!

>

March 6, 2006

ah, fusion. I understand. And I pretty much agree with everything you've

said , although the studies I've seen don't show nearly that rate of

complications.

Carlene Farmer wrote:

>because where the discs are gone, there is arthritic fusion; my low back is a

mess. also, too many levels.

>

>I refuse to do any kind of fusion or even disc replacement at this point. I

cannot see subjecting myself to have 3/4 of my back laid open, lots of blood

loss, hours of general anesthetic, and a myriad of very scary complications and

months of recovery only to still be in pain and have nerve problems, limited

mobility, etc. even doctors, like the one I saw who is considered one of the

best for fusions, still told me there is a 100% complication rate.

>

>I have done a bunch a research on the laser spine surgery. there are dozens of

clinics across the country in major metropolitan areas of CA and FL especially

but the pioneers are in FL and in particular the Laser Spine Institute who have

contacted me. I will be talking to them today. they will do an evaluation of

my condition by me just sending them my MRIs and a medical form with details of

my situation.

>

>orthopods do fusion because that is what they know now and there is no doubt

that it has helped many people but it has also caused continuous problems for

more people. the statistics are not good but sometimes there is no other

alternative.

>

>the surgeon I spoke to said that 9 out of 10 people he gives this diagnosis to,

go home without doing the surgery. and he encouraged me to " think about it " and

to also " try as many other options as possible " . I just had an ablation on 8

levels in my low back last week and am now getting some much needed relief. I

am working with my rolfer to try to release the thoracic vertebra into a

straighter position and then I will be seriously looking for the best laser doc

who can deal with arthritic spurs, stenosis, bulging discs, scar tissue, etc.

>

>I wish the best to everyone facing these health issues. daily pain is

emotionally and physically draining and we should not have to be forced to " deal

with " using narcotics.

>

>Carlene

>

> Re: german, disc replacement

>

>that seems odd to me. why would lack of disc space eliminate artificial

>disc as a solution? Isn't that exactly what the artificial disc is for?

>I agree with you on fusions. In fact, I'm almost starting to think that

>we, as patients, need to push back on this more in order to improve

>spinal treatment.

>

>I appreciate the tip on laser surgery. But I'm suprised that can deal

>with the issue you describe. I may look into this myself. I'm curious

>why florida - is that local for you or are they considered they top

>practitioners?

>

>Carlene Farmer wrote:

>

>>i know the Germans are the pioneers of this process. i was also told i was

not a candidate for it basically because i have no disc space left in my lumbar

area.

>>

>>i have been doing tons of research because i was told the only thing that

would help me was a 3/4 spinal fusion and the more i read about that the more i

know i am NOT going to do it.

>>

>>and i have learned that disc replacement can often fail and require fusion

somewhere down the road. however, since you are working in the cervical area of

your spine and are probably only replacing a few disks(?) and are going to have

it done by the best, your percentage for a good outcome is probably high.

>>

>>i am exploring laser back surgery with the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa, FL.

sounds like they will be able to correct many of my problems with a way less

invasive process, faster recovery time, fewer complications. but i would like

to talk to someone to has had some experience in this area.

>>

>>good luck!

>>

>

March 6, 2006

Just FYI on other options

The Wockhardt Spine Centre at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mumbai has

launched a new minimally invasive surgery for slipped disc. The new

technique called PELD -- percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy --

allows the patient to be discharged in 24 hours.

Prolapsed intervertebral disc, commonly called 'slipped disc,' is

the commonest cause for backache. Until now it required

hospitalization for five to seven days.

PELD requires only a 6 mm incision through which an endoscope with a

camera (attached to a monitor) is inserted to remove the prolapsed

part of the disc, using advanced micro- instruments like radio

frequency and laser machines. The wound is closed with just one

stitch. The whole operation takes about 20 minutes. It is conducted

under local anesthesia and the patient is fully awake during the

surgery.

Conventional surgery involves long incision, forced muscle traction

for extended periods and removal of normal tissues like ligaments

and bone to approach the operation site. It meant increased blood

loss, increased scar formation and increased risk of neural injury.

If interested please contact me for more details.