[Artificial Disc Replacement / Lumbar] Failed ADR (Charite L4/L5 & L5/S1, 2001)

[Justin]

Hi Anna,

I was just popping in to see how you were feeling. Any progress? Please keep us posted.

[azennaro]

Hi Guys
Still hanging around between a bed and a couch, in a lot of pain more so when i move,Living on cortisone injections , so I dont go mad from the pain and disablement, I am doing a lot of research on disk revision surgery.
It seems the best result would be to have the artificial disks removed and then fused. My 2 ADR have been in for 9 years and possibly failing, I beleive unless you operate it is the only way to see whether the core is ok and if the plates are still fixed into the bone. My Aus surgeon just wants to fuse both and leave them in. He doesnt even want to discuss whether they are failing and to make my life even easier my insurance company has denied surgery.
I would like to hear from anyone about any information available on failing ADR and revision surgery and anyone that has been operated by Dr Pimenta in Brazil, I am getting some good feedback on him. I dont want to be operated on by any surgeon that has interests with any of the ADR companies.

[Cindylou]

Anna, Katie had surgery with Dr. Pimenta in Brazil in March or April. I am sure she will chime in soon. Welcome to SPS. Hope we can be of service to you. CL

[Job13]

Hi Anna,
I have just talked yesterday with a person who had revision surgery 3 months ago with Dr.Pimenta (2 Prodiscs from Straubing and was bed ridden for several years). I will PM you the contact.
Although she had Prodiscs and not Charite, you can probably still talk about her experience and the way the revision might be done.
Also, I have someone who's wife had Charite revision and her husband did a big research on it, so I am sure he has more people in similar conditions that you can contact. Will PM you as well.

My best wishes and Good luck.

[Katie]

Job, I'd be interested in chatting with that lady too, if she is willing. It is good to talk to others who have had experience with the same surgeon.

azenarro, I had three levels of surgery done in mid-March with Dr. Pimenta and am extremely happy with the results. While it wasn't a revision, if it was necessary for any reason, I would go back to him in a heartbeat.

You may have difficulty in finding a surgeon who doesn't have some involvement with a spine device company. Many of them are consultants for research I think. While Dr. P does have involvement with Nuvasive, he was not biased in ADR vs fusion for me....I had both. He stated that many patients are too keen on pushing for ADR when it isn't indicated, and it can cause big problems.

I searched all over the world, talking to numerous spine device companies and surgeons before going to him..he was the only surgeon I could find that could work with my complications, that had devices to which I wasn't allergic.

He discussed several revisions he had done with success, and the reasons why the ADRs were not appropriate in those patients. Some were surgeon error, with incorrect placement among other things.

Above all, I respect him for his willingness to work with the patient and explain things before going ahead, making sure the risks and benefits are well understood.

If you would like to discuss more, please feel free to send a PM.

[Job13]

Job, I'd be interested in chatting with that lady too, if she is willing. It is good to talk to others who have had experience with the same surgeon.

Katie, I sent you PM.

[Hooch]

Anna,

I only know of him from reading his posts but a bloke called Mark, also from Australia, went to Pimenta for a revision operation.

I gather a few on this forum have had contact with him (Liz), a guy called Mick63 on the badbacks.com website (who I understand has not had a successful replacement under a gold coast surgeon). Hope you can it contact with them.

Chris.

[Katie]

Hooch, that's how I first heard of Dr. P.

Mark posted a lot of information about him, and I spoke to Mark at length before contacting the good doctor.