New Look and updates

We have a new look with added videos from our surgeons at ONZ. 

Videos of Dr. Bierstedt and Dr. Illerhaus - 2 of my favorite people ~ saving one patients motion preservation at a time!


The look of our GermanSpineSpecialists.com site is now very similar in color and feel of MySpineSolution.com   – because we are one and the same. Why both sites? We started out as German Spine Specialists because that is what we are Specialists in Germany working on the Spine. Then we added the My Spine Solution site, for those that automatically were not interested in traveling for surgery. The reason for this was because it is SO IMPORTANT to let people know they do NOT have to settle for a fusion. That they CAN enjoy life again with a motion preservation solution (ADR = Artificial Disc Replacement).

Take a gander at out site. 
Call a liaison if you have questions or concerns. We are past patients now living happily again. We have been to the edge of what we thought we could tolerate, almost give up and yet we fought to not have a fusion. Where there is a will there is a way, and we are helping open the gate so that you may find the same way we did.

The world needs to know there are amazing possibilities for help and relief from spine pain. There are options! 


~ Thank you for taking time to learn what is available.

ADR Patient Experience – Don't Wait!

Hi,

My name is Christopher Card and I want to share my experience of recently having two cervical disc replacements using the M6 - Cervical Implant (by Spinal Kinetics) replacements on both C5/6 & C6/7 by anterior approach.

I tried conservative nerve block therapy via epidural injection which offered temporary relief from the pain I was experiencing in the right forearm and hand. I had been living with this discomfort for a number of years and the relief was a blessing. The downside is that the pain returned with a vengeance and with different symptoms after 3 months, which included severe weakening of my right arm and total numbness in my right hand forefinger.

It was time to look at a long term solution. I started researching alternatives to fusion as this was not an option for me and my lifestyle, plus this solution transpired to be a dead end!, If the pain remained I would have to live with it. I looked into various sites on the internet and comments from patients just like me which had had a disc replacement.. I still did not feel happy with what was on offer. I was looking for the Rolls Royce solution [I am a perfectionist].

I arrived home one evening in early February 2013, and my lovely wife advised me she had found the perfect solution for me. She sat me down and told me to read what she had found. Not only had she found the best surgeon but the place and technology is where I knew I wanted to be treated. http://www.germanspinespecialists.com/best_spine_surgen.html. The surgeon of Dr. Thomas Bierstedt really fitted my bill of prerequisites. I have a phobia of my throat area and after reading how pedantic Dr. Bierstedt is I knew in myself he was the person I wanted to perform the operation.

I work for an international company and have been involved in customer liaisons for the past 20 years, and I was extremely impressed with the communication I received to my online query.  If I could have a person like Mr. Malte Petersen on my team we would be world class, which is where I rate him as a person and in his professional position, a real compliment to Dr. Bierstedt’s team. The communication and information transfer from Thailand to Germany under the care of Malte was phenomenal to say the least. It really supported my decision 100 fold that my wife had found the “Best in the West”.

I was scheduled in for surgery on the 26^th February 2013, and for serious surgery I was completely relaxed, and I attribute this to the communication; the immediate review of my MRI by Dr. Bierstedt and his team and the feedback of the plan. I would be lying if I was not a little anxious as every surgical procedure carries its own risks.

Arrival in Dusseldorf Germany was hassel free. The transportation was waiting for my wife and I and we arrived some 35 minutes later at the hotel Avantgarde in Hattingen. Monday a taxi collected us from the hotel and drove us to our planned consultation with Dr. Bierstedt. The appointment went very well and again I was really impressed with the professional approach, the detail of the explanation of the procedure, the risks etc, etc. I walked out of Dr. Bierstedt’s office knowing I had made the right choice. His demeanor just further endorsed that I had made the right choice.

From the meeting it was directly to the EV Krankenhaus to check into my place of rest for the upcoming days. My experience was getting better at every turn. The hospital staff were really friendly and helpful and really made you feel at home.[To me it was more like a 5 star hotel than a hospital]. Choice of menu for the week that I was booked in for and beverages on tap with snacks 24/7. Later in the afternoon after the hospitals protocol of pre-surgery checks and tests, I was taken to meet another fine gentleman that was going to look after me during the procedure  Dr schlosser anesthetist . I could not fault any person that was going to be involved in my procedure. I was actually beginning to look forward to the surgery knowing I was in such competent hands along with being pain free and being able to live again.

Tuesday 26^th day of surgery, I knew I was not going to get past the premed [Experience from a past surgery], well as anticipated I recall the bed moving and my wife giving me a peck on the forehead and lights out. I woke in recovery. Time to do personal flight check, 1) Swallow, yes I can, 2) Talk, asked the nurse on duty to take off the blood pressure monitor as it was uncomfortable, yes I can talk. Guess I was still groggy but I arranged my drip pipe into a tidy coil and with that I was advised I could return to my room.

When I arrived I felt really good and wanted to get out of bed to see my new Friend Greg who had had Lumbar surgery and flown all the way from the USA to have it done on Dr. Bierstedt’s watch. No, not allowed until the drip was finished. I remember counting the drops and when the last one made it down the tube I was on the buzzer to summon help to have the drip removed. Drip was removed, followed by me out of bed and on the move.

I still had company in the form of the wound drain that I carried in my hand and had no problems walking to Greg’s room, [next door] and seeing if all had gone well for him. He was somewhat surprised to see me up and about so soon. Well I never stopped, walking around that is. My wife was somewhat taken back that I was up and about. I really felt good; no pain in my arm, feeling back in my finger and the only discomfort was the wound drain that impeded swallowing solids. The soup was great!!

Dr. Bierstedt and Dr. Schlosser came in the next day to advise that all had gone to plan and that they were satisfied with the placement of the discs. Dr. Schlosser to advise I had behaved well and the tube delivering the anesthetic was removed before I woke up [This was my only stipulation/prerequisite, I had asked for during our earlier interview]

Malte came in on the Thursday to ensure all was still on plan, which it was and as I was up and about I was allowed to leave my residence at the hospital and spend the remainder of our time in Germany at the hotel with my best friend.

I am now 4 weeks post Op and feel 100%, still a little muscle stiffness in the neck area, I however attribute this to me being over cautious in how I move. In all a really great experience, which would not have been so without the professionalism; care and world class communication shown throughout the duration.

Dr. Bierstedt; Dr. Schlosser; Malte and all the staff at the EV Krankenhaus and my new friends Greg ; Lucy and Katie, thank you so much for a new lease on life, it was truly an experience I will not forget and the results to date are flawless.

To the most important person that made this all happen and supported and cared for me and still does today, my soul mate and wife Samantha. Thank you my darling for everything!

For all those that are suffering, don’t wait the link is there, and if my experience helps or I can assist feel free to email me at chriscard23@gmail.com.

Christopher Card

To Your Health March, 2013 (Vol. 07, Issue 03)

Another Reason to Avoid Epidural Steroids

By Editorial Staff

While the uproar surrounding tainted steroid injections causing fungal meningitis has left the mainstream news after months on the front pages, hundreds of reported illnesses and far too many deaths, it's high time for a reminder of why epidural steroids – tainted or not – shouldn't be so commonly prescribed for back pain.

 

According to a study in the research journal Spine, which compared spine patients who received epidural injections to patients who did not receive injections, steroids "were associated with significantly less improvement at 4 years among all patients with spinal stenosis." In other words, patients who received the injections were in worse shape after four years than patients who did not receive injections – regardless of whether either type of patient ultimately underwent surgery to "relieve" their pain. Not exactly an endorsement of epidural steroid injections or surgery. What's more, patients in both groups had similar initial symptoms / pain scores, dispelling the notion that patients who received injections had worse initial pain or a worse condition than non-injected patients.

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the open spaces in the spine. As you might expect, this can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to neck or back pain. It is most commonly caused by wear and tear over time, which puts you at higher risk as you get older (particularly over age 50 or so).

Spinal stenosis and other conditions that cause back pain and related symptoms often don't require medication, injections or surgery. 

So what should you do?

The above article is re-posted from To Your Health, they suggest starting with seeing a Chiropractor. That is a good place to start and access the severity of your spinal condition. For many this will help manage the pain by relieving some of the pressure on the nerves. However, when the condition continues to degenerate as part of the progressive process, and pain and/or symptoms such as radiating nerve pain or loss of sensation is becoming more prevalent - that is when it is time to look into other options such as those provided by My Spine Solution and German Spine Specialists. Solutions that are non-fusion interventions but more than discectomies, these are permanent nerve compression relieving solutions that restore the spine to proper biomechanics and pain relief.

For more information go to our web site:  MySpineSolution.com

Surgery in Germany

Medical solutions Germany:

Currently many more people are seeking surgery or medical solutions in Europe. In the past this was a luxury allowed only for the rich, famous and wealthy. However, now due to more advanced treatment solutions Germany is among the TOP "Medical Tourism" Destinations.

Surgery Treatment Options in Germany:

Currently Germany leads the world in Solutions for Artificial Disc Replacement for the Lumbar and Cervical. For those suffering with chronic pain due to a herniation or collapsed disc, or degenerative disc disease, Germany may be your best solution for treatment in order to avoid prolonged pain and suffering and avoid FUSION.

Fusion will among many things leave you with NO MOTION at the level fused and more stressed motion at levels adjacent. Once fused there is no going back, just forward down the cascade of domino effects that surmount.

Myself, prior to my surgery selection for ADR of the Cervical in Germany, was told by my doctor upon investigating how many patients come back within 2-5 years after a fusion for a second or third due to the added stress: "Well, that is 2-5 years down the road, you will be fine. When we get to 2-5 years and there is added issues, maybe then we can do an M6 disc replacement at that time on those levels."

Does anyone see the irony here? 

WHY would I want another 2 surgeries, if I could have ONE and that ONE at that restored my motion pain free! HELLO Dr. XXXXX!

Does the staff speak English?

Yes, the staff on call 24/7 at our hospital in Hattingen – Germany, is always available to help and speaks English. This is our premier hospital with the Top State of the Art Medical Treatment, Emergency Treatment, and full Diagnostics. We are prepared for even the most extreme cases and prepared for Success with each surgical outcome!

• All spine surgeries are principally supported by a vascular surgeon
• Complete diagnostics - MRI, CAT scan, ultrasound
• Doctors attention on-site 24/7
• Neurology department
• Urology department
• Single, private rooms for each patient

To learn more about Surgical Treatment Options for your Spine Pain:

We offer a no obligation - FREE Second Opinion of your case for best Medical Treatment, please fill out the form below or call one of our Liaisons (all former patients).

Research on Back Pain

Through the course of my study, there is continued debate on how to best relieve back pain. 

Back Pain is so individual and it is relative to the level of pain tolerance of the individual. M.D.'s will prescribe some exercises maybe and pain relieving medications. Those medications are now showing to actually enhance the degeneration at the joints. Latest research is now showing even in cases of arthritis, that taking NSAIDS (Non-Steroid Anti-inflamitory Drugs) is actually causing arthritis to get worse.

Discectomy and "Failed Back Surgery Syndrom"

This is a case of attempting to relieve pain in the back or neck via cutting off the protruding disc. As in later blogs you will read, I'm not a big fan. Discectomy / Laminectomy are both procedures of temporary relief, and potentially enhanced issues over a very short period of time.

Fusion - "The Gold Standard"

Fusion is considered the Gold Standard only because it has been around for a very long time. A friend once quoted to me, "The body is the only machine that degenerates more without use." How true! So think about a fusion. This is going to completely stop movement at a level(s) of the spine. What happens now? The body has to compensate and thus causes undue stress on adjacent levels and stress that the body was not designed for.

Yesterday I spoke with a 27 year old man that has excessive lower back pain. He has quit working out in order to preserve the rest of his back, but mainly because it hurts so much to do anything.

So what do you do?

1) A recommendation is seeing a Chiropractor that also does Acupuncture. This could help reduce pressure on nerves and reduce pain without NSAIDS and surgical intervention, at least to a certain level of relief.

2) Stay as active as possible. Moving is always going to be better than sitting! The healthier an individual the better the bodies recovery mechanisms.

3) Chronic pain beyond these measures may mean it is time to look into ADR surgery (Artificial Disc Replacement). This means having a new prothesis placed in the spine at the level(s) of degeneration in order to restore the movement of the spine and the individual as well as relieve compression on nerves related to a collapsed spinal disc. Such procedures are not covered by many insurance companies. However, who are you going to let tell you what you should do with your body? The insurance company or you?

We have come to a time now that many are going overseas in order to achieve more advanced treatments. My Spine Solution is here to help those in a state of chronic back pain find that very solution at a reasonable cost and most importantly achieve a life without pain and suffering, without NSAIDS, or other strong narcotic drugs, a life of living again with freedom of movement and enjoyment.

If you or someone you know is suffering, take the first step in contacting us to learn more about our Artificial Disk Replacement techniques and superior standards in treatment. Together with ONZ, My Spine Solution is helping a growing population of back pain sufferers achieve happiness once again.

Pain is like a cancer, it affects all aspects of an individual. Once pain is removed from the body the body and the mind can return to a state of homeostasis once again!

In better health ~ My Spine Solution

Spinal Stenosis Help and Healing

What is Spinal Stenosis?

Wikipedia defines Spinal Stenosis:

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal that may occur in any of the regions of the spine. This narrowing causes a restriction to the spinal canal, resulting in a neurological deficit. Symptoms include pain, numbness, paraesthesia, and loss of motor control. The location of the stenosis determines which area of the body is affected.^[1] With spinal stenosis, the spinal canal is narrowed at the vertebral canal, which is a foramen between the vertebrae where the spinal cord (in the cervical or thoracic spine) or nerve roots (in the lumbar spine) pass through.^[2] There are several types of spinal stenosis: lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis being the most frequent. While lumbar spinal stenosis is more common, cervical spinal stenosis is more dangerous because it involves compression of the spinal cord.

The most common forms are cervical spinal stenosis, at the level of the neck, and lumbar spinal stenosis, at the level of the lower back. Thoracic spinal stenosis, at the level of the mid-back, is much less common.^[1]

In lumbar stenosis, the spinal nerve roots in the lower back are compressed which can lead to symptoms of sciatica (tingling, weakness, or numbness that radiates from the low back and into the buttocks and legs).

Cervical spinal stenosis can be far more dangerous by compressing the spinal cord. Cervical canal stenosis may lead to serious symptoms such as major body weakness and paralysis. Such severe spinal stenosis symptoms are virtually absent in lumbar stenosis, however, as the spinal cord is not present in the adult lumbar spine.^{[citation needed]} Cervical spinal stenosis is a condition involving narrowing of the spinal canal at the level of the neck. It is frequently due to chronic degeneration,^[3] but may also be congenital or traumatic. Treatment frequently is surgical.^[3]

^{Many surgeons in the U.S. and Canada recommend a laminectomy or discectomy to patients diagnosed with spinal stenosis. A past patient here recently said, "laminectomy and discectomy surgery should be considered a crime!" Why would one say that?}

^{Well, the problem with laminectomy and discectomy surgery is the removal of the part of a "bulge" in the disc may take pressure off a nerve that the bulge was impinging, however, that disc is now going to continue to degenerate and lose disc height. When that happens the canal the nerves leave the spine to go to body parts becomes impinged and thus the patient is many times in even worse condition!} 

^{Sadly insurance pays for such a procedure. Part of that keeping you ill and in the cycle process.}

^{My Spine Solution offers a REAL LIFE-TIME SOLUTION to spinal stenosis. We offer procedures to replace disc height to normal levels and the use of Artificial Disc Replacement with the best technology on the market. Yes, insurance may or may not pay for the procedure, but it is a lasting solution and a future of pain free living again!}

^{For a free consultation visit one of our web sites to learn more and get stop living in pain!}

 ^{• MySpineSolution.com}

 ^{• GermanSpineSpecialists.com}

TOPS Spine Motion Preserving Device in Germany

TOPS™ System Launches in Germany

Motion Preserving Spine Device Eliminates Need for Fusion in Patients with Severe Lumbar Spine Stenosis

Press Release Source: Premia Spine Ltd.

RAMAT POLEG, Israel, Oct. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Premia Spine, Ltd. announced today that the company has commercially launched the TOPS™ System and its adjunct Versalink™ Fixation System in Germany.

"We are excited about the opportunity to provide German patients with a clinically-proven, superior solution to lumbar spinal fusion," stated Ron Sacher, CEO of Premia Spine. "The TOPS™ System has demonstrated its immediate and sustained benefit for patients suffering from severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis."

First cases in Germany were performed by Dr. Thomas Bierstedt, a neurosurgeon with the Orthopädisch-Neurochirurgisches Zentrum (ONZ), which serves the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.  The ONZ sees patients from Köln, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Essen, Duisburg, Bochum, Recklinghausen, and Hattingen as well as a high number of international patients from North and South America and the Middle East.  Dr. Bierstedt is a leading spine surgeon with strong command of the latest minimally invasive, posterior arthroplasty and artificial disc technologies.

“I am very pleased with what I have seen so far with my first four patients,” explains Dr. Bierstedt.  “Patients are very mobile and free from the pain of spinal stenosis and spondylolithesis.” 

Traditional spine surgery for lumbar stenosis involves removing tissue elements pressing on the nerve roots and stabilizing the spine with rigid metal rods. There is usually a long convalescence after such procedures.

The TOPS™ System is a dynamic spinal implant designed to replace the extracted skeletal structures and stabilize the spine without permanently locking the adjacent vertebrae.  Instead, clinicians allow the vertebrae to continue moving normally with the assistance of the TOPS™ implant. The TOPS™ System allows full motion at the operative level, while prohibiting excessive twists and turns.  It recreates the physiologic motion in flexion, extension, lateral bending, axial rotation and translation.  No other device performs this range of function.   

As no fusion is taking place in the lower back, there are no restrictions placed on patients and their activity after the TOPS™ System surgery.  Premia Spine’s TOPS System has been demonstrated to provide better outcomes than lumbar spinal fusion surgery in clinical studies conducted around the globe since 2005. 

   Contact:
    Ron Sacher
    ronsacher@premiaspine.com
    http://www.besseralswirbelfusion.de or www.betterthanspinalfusion.com