Neurosurgeons performing disc replacement surgery @MAYO, Jacksonville

Posted by mjmember @mjmember, May 21, 2023

Which neurosurgeons at Mayo, Jacksonville perform disc replacement surgery?
What devices do they use?
How many surgeries have they performed?
what is the outcome?
Does AvMed cover this procedure?
Thank you

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@sandpiper49

I'm sorry Alexis but your comment made me gasp in horror. It comes from a place of ignorance, or rather the lack of understanding about artifical discs. The surgeon is the only one that can select a disc. It isn't one size fits all. The decision is based on your MRI and medical history. There are over 30 artifical discs although surgeons will have their favourites, they are still customised. I have just had five cervical ADR's in Germany after having done extensive research. Germany are the leaders in artifical disc replacement and have been doing it for 15 years. They are also cheaper than the USA. Cheaper doesn't mean inferior. The USA is known for its exorbitant medical costs. I would recommend looking into Pro Spine in Germany. They will assess your imaging, and give you an estimate.

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I usually pick the best hospitals first as they also have the best doctors. I selected HSS in New York for myself as they were ranked the best hospital with 0 infections after surgery. That was very important to me. It is also important how easy to interact with the hospital staff, how simplified it is to get information, and how they treat you. If a reputed hospital makes you run through hoops to get simple basic information, it is a red alert. There are good doctors in other institutions also. You have to just find the right one for you. Not everyone wants to be well-informed or ask questions. One time instead of picking the well-renowned surgeon, I picked the one who he trained simply because after reading reviews, it seemed like he wasn't the one for us as he didn't like patients asking questions.

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@sandpiper49

I'm sorry Alexis but your comment made me gasp in horror. It comes from a place of ignorance, or rather the lack of understanding about artifical discs. The surgeon is the only one that can select a disc. It isn't one size fits all. The decision is based on your MRI and medical history. There are over 30 artifical discs although surgeons will have their favourites, they are still customised. I have just had five cervical ADR's in Germany after having done extensive research. Germany are the leaders in artifical disc replacement and have been doing it for 15 years. They are also cheaper than the USA. Cheaper doesn't mean inferior. The USA is known for its exorbitant medical costs. I would recommend looking into Pro Spine in Germany. They will assess your imaging, and give you an estimate.

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Just FYI, Germany has been doing artificial disc replacements since the 1980's. A friend had his done in the late '80s.
Yes, the doctor makes the final decision on which disc to use. The person is seeking a surgeon that does them in their area and any disc rep should have that information, at least for the ones they are selling. I think kickbacks to physicians are involved for most medical devices they use in the US. Ask a rep.

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@karibo999

Hello, I am from Norway, but have been several times to Germany for surgery. As I have instability in my neck, a specialist in Heidelberg recommended fusion. I do trust him, but now I am very curious to hear where you had the artificial cervical discs replaced? I would like to consider that option, too.
Thank you in advance.
Kari

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Hello Kari. I went to Pro Spine in Bogen. There were other surgeons that I considered but I kept coming back to Pro Spine's orthopedic surgeon. Given the number of discs, he was the only choice for me due to his experience and skills. If you would like more information, I would be happy to talk wih you. There is only so much that you can type in this forum.

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@sandpiper49

Hello Kari. I went to Pro Spine in Bogen. There were other surgeons that I considered but I kept coming back to Pro Spine's orthopedic surgeon. Given the number of discs, he was the only choice for me due to his experience and skills. If you would like more information, I would be happy to talk wih you. There is only so much that you can type in this forum.

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Hello, Thank you so much for your good information.
I have never heard of that place, but I am sure the orthopedic surgeon is as good as anybody. Are you German, living there? I suppose you have much more info than I have. But I am glad you sent me this info.
With kind regards,
Kari

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Hi Kari,

I wouldnt say he's "as good as anybody". Based on extensive research, which included reading his publications, and testimonials, and talking with some of his former patients, I concluded that he was one of, if not, the best ADR surgeon. In the world. Other surgeons offered me five fusions but no one else would take on five cervical discs. He is known for acccepting difficult cases that others won't. I live in Canada and at the time I thought that I could have 5 fusions here I wouldn't have to pay for. I recently found out that wasn't the cade at all. Right from the start, I knew that I didn't want the majority of my neck immobilized with screws and a metal cage. Fusion also causes the discs above and below to degenerate. I also have severe osteoporosis and screws and rigidity isnt a good combination.
To my surprise, I learned that there is a cut off age of 50. In addition, five fusions would never be done here because of the cost, so the Canadian health care system would have nothing to offer me.
It was a huge decision financially and I agonised over it, but what good is money if you're in a wheelchair and believe me I'm not rich? There are other countries that are much cheaper than the USA and Germany but they don't do multilevel. One offered to do 5 even although they were only approved to do 2. So not only would it be illegal in their country, he'd never done more than 2. That is NOT the Dr. you'd want performing your surgery.

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@mjmember

We are in Miami, we were planning to go to Mayo Jacksonville. Initial interaction was not the greatest. They said we don’t take your insurance and you may have to pay $100, 000 upfront. In fact, I called, my insurance covers as out of network and we may have to pay more as compared to in network. I rather go to Johns Hopkins as I had a very pleasant interaction and a very good prior experience.
Mayo may have good doctors; so does other places. I rather spend money where they care. My prior experience with Mayo few years ago was also so so

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With minimal perusing of best spine surgeons, this popped up;
Hoon Choi, MD, PhD, Cleveland Clinic (Weston, Fla.). Dr. Choi joined Cleveland Clinic Florida in May. He specializes in minimally invasive robotic spine surgery, "artificial disc replacement" and restorative spine surgery.
Best of luck.

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Thank you @alexis7
If I'm not mistaken this Cleveland clinic only has the name; but, it is not part of the real Cleveland clinic in
Cleveland OH.

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@mjmember

Thank you @alexis7
If I'm not mistaken this Cleveland clinic only has the name; but, it is not part of the real Cleveland clinic in
Cleveland OH.

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Copy and pasted:
1)The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation.
2) Cleveland Clinic has multiple locations such as Northeast Ohio, Florida, Canada, Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi and many more.
Weston shows to be less than an hour from Miami.
Hope this helps.

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@sandpiper49

I can't answer that question for the USA but I just had five artifical cervical discs replaced in Germany four months ago and I am 74. I also have severe osteoporosis. Germany is at the forefront of artificial discs and have been doing them for over 15 years.

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I'm wondering which device was used for your cervical artificial disk replacement. Thank you.

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@sandpiper49

I can't answer that question for the USA but I just had five artifical cervical discs replaced in Germany four months ago and I am 74. I also have severe osteoporosis. Germany is at the forefront of artificial discs and have been doing them for over 15 years.

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I'm wondering which device they used.

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