Artificial Disc Replacement - Robert

Testimonial for Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli

My name is Robert Johnston, Jr. In 1979, I injured my spine during a fall on a construction site. Over the next few years, the back and neck injuries got worse. I also developed migraine headaches on the left side which were relentless. I tried everything from pain medications to a laminectomy with no relief.

In 2006, I contacted Dr. James Yue at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Yue offered me a cervical fusion or, in the event a fusion was not acceptable to me, the alternative of travelling to Germany to see Dr. Rudolph Bertagnoli who specialized in Artificial Disc Replacements. I was fortunate enough to be able to choose the Germany option.

Travelling to a foreign country can be frightening to say the least. Peter Hoch met us in Munich and drove us to Bogen to our hotel which was charming. Everyone at the hospital treated us very well and the language barrier was not as much an issue as I had anticipated.

After all the tests were completed (some of which had already been done in the U.S.), it was determined that I was to have Artificial Disc Replacement/ with full disc prosthesis into levels C3/4, C5/6 and C6/7. One half hour prior to the surgery, I asked Dr. Bertagnoli as to the odds of recovering from my severe and unbearable headaches. He looked me in the eyes and responded that he could pretty much guarantee a minimum of 70% immediate relief in the morning. I told him that it was fine with me. He was right.

In my opinion, Dr. Bertagnoli is the most honest and talented doctor I have ever met. He changed my life and was right on the money as I’m at least 70% pain free all the time. Five days after the surgery I was in the Black Forest sightseeing and to me, that’s quite an accomplishment. Thank you Dr. Bertagnoli and staff.

Best Regards,

Robert A. Johnston, Jr.