Artificial Disc Replacement - Texas

My name is John Hughes and I live in small rural town in the Texas Panhandle. I am 38 years of age, and I suffered with back pain for 20yrs. Even as a young teenager I had back pain. I work in the oil field as a compressor mechanic. I have worked in this field for more than 12yrs. This is a very physically demanding job. Ten years ago I had back surgery, as I’d ruptured 3 disks in my lower back. The local surgeon told me if he ever saw me again he would fuse my back. I told him I hoped never to see him again, that was in 1999. After my initial back surgery I continued to fight with back pain every day. Some days were worse than others, but I was never really pain free. At the end of a long day all I wanted to do is try to find some way to make myself comfortable. In July of 2009, while on vacation my left hip began to burn, the pain become greater as the days went on. I went to an Orthopedic Surgeon, thinking my hip was broken or just worn out. The Dr. told me there was nothing wrong with my hip, he concluded the pain was coming from my back. With such a long history of back trouble, this was not surprising. I had an MRI done on my lower back this revealed 4 ruptured disks. Three of the ruptured disks were the same three I had operated on once before. They were in worse shape now. All 4 discs were severely herniated.

I wanted to seek a professional opinion from a spine specialist in a metropolitan area. I wanted to see if there were any new developments, or techniques for back surgery. I was looking for some kind of cure for my problem. My wife and I flew to Dallas TX. to the Southwest Medical Spine Center. Dr. Kevin Gill reviewed my MRI and saw extreme damage and degeneration of 4 disks in my lumbar spine. I had degenerative disk disease. He explained that in the US the only treatment for my problem was fusion surgery. He further explained that a fusion surgery would require a year long recuperation period. I could not afford to take off work for a year, I would lose my job. Dr. Gill recommended I have Artificial Disk Replacement surgery. He said I was a great candidate and this would fix my problem, it would end my back pain forever. Dr. Gill explained that this surgery is not performed here in the US, due to restrictions by the FDA. He explained that this surgery is performed all the time in Germany and it has been very successful. Dr. Rudolf Bertagnoli is the leading spine surgeon in the world in ADR surgery. My wife and I decided to contact the Pro-Spine office through their website. Within a day or so Tim Vicknair contacted us and we started the evaluation process. Mr. Vicknair took us through the whole process step by step. He was a big help to us. He serves as the bridge between the US and the Pro-Spine office. Dr. Bertagnoli and Dr. Fenk-Meyer reviewed my MRI and contacted us within a week. They told me I was a perfect candidate for ADR, and answered all my questions thoroughly. At this point my wife and I began to pray about venturing to another country for major back surgery. This was very scary to both of us, as we had never been outside the US. The more we researched this and the more we corresponded with Mr. Vicknair and the Pro-Spine office, it became very clear that this is what I needed to do to fix my back problem. After 6 months of planning and much prayer, my wife and I traveled to Straubing, Germany for my ADR surgery. Upon arriving in Germany we were greeted by Peter who taxied us around. His English is very good, he was a life saver to us, we will forever be grateful for his kindness and hospitality. He made our whole trip so enjoyable and helped ease any stress that we felt about being so far away from our home and family. Pro-Spine is so lucky to have Peter! Upon arriving at the Pro-Spine clinic we got to meet Dr. Bertagnoli . It was at this point I knew I had come to the right place! Dr. Bertagnoli is the nicest , most down to earth, yet professional surgeon I have ever met. He is world renowned , very famous, yet so humble, and so caring. This man is a very gifted surgeon who simply wants to help patients regain their quality of life. His office staff are first class quality and will do anything to help you feel more at ease about surgery in a foreign country. Dr. Bertagnoli was very professional and his English is perfect. It is very easy to communicate with him, and he answered all my questions. Dr. Fenk-Meyer is also very professional and courteous. She helped me through all the pre-op procedures and helped with any other details or questions we had.

On June 7, 2010 Dr. Bertagnoli performed ADR on my lumbar spine, he gave me 4 new disks! This was a very lengthy surgery, my wife waited patiently for 8 hours. The surgery went perfect, and the hospital staff were great. The hospital staff have done this so many times that they knew exactly what I needed. My surgery was a complete success, and I am now pain free for the first time in 20 years. I returned to my full time job 2 months post –op. It has been great to be able to perform my job without back pain!

During our time in Germany we stayed in a very nice hotel , they will do anything that needs to be done to help Dr. Bertagnoli’s patients during their recuperation period. The hotel was very nice and comfortable. I just wish I could have gone to Germany to vacation! Going to another country for major surgery was a bit scary, but I am so glad I did it. I would not trade my experience for anything. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Everything the Pro-Spine office claims is true. They are forthright and honest about everything. The information they give you prior to travel is accurate, they have been helping patients do this for many years. Mr. Vicknair was a huge help to us, and we are so thankful Dr. Bertagnoli’s office has a person to help the US patients through the planning process.

It has been six months since my surgery and my back feels great. I already had extreme muscle atrophy and weakness in my right leg from my previous back surgery back in 1999. Even that is better , I’m getting my strength back and can stand straight up straight first thing in the morning ! I have not been able to do that in 20 years. It feels great to walk without hunching over. Not to mention after the surgery I grew . I’m about ¾ of an inch taller than I was before the surgery. It is wonderful to stand straight and tall. I would recommend Dr. Bertagnoli, and the ADR surgery to anyone who is suffering with back pain. This surgery has been answered prayer for me. Life is too short to live in pain, there is an answer for back pain at Pro-Spine. Dr. Bertagnoli gave me my life back ! I will forever be thankful, may God bless him , and the entire staff of Pro-Spine .

Sincerely,

John Hughes