Connect
← Return to Neurosurgeons performing disc replacement surgery @MAYO, Jacksonville
Discussion
Neurosurgeons performing disc replacement surgery @MAYO, Jacksonville
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 27 9:43pm | Replies (34)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I'm sorry Alexis but your comment made me gasp in horror. It comes from a place..."
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.
Connect
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.