[Artificial Disc Replacement / Cervical] Success in Barcelona! (Spinal Kinetics M6, C4-C5 & C5-C6, Drs. Clavel & Gilete at the Barcelona Spine Center)

[JPJH]

I had a two level Cervical ADR surgery with Dr. Clavel and Dr. Gilete at the Barcelona Spine Center on Wednesday October 13, 2010. They used the new M-6 at levels 4-5 & 5-6. The surgery lasted about two hours and all went as planned. I spent two nights at the Quiron Hospital where they do the surgery and have their Spine Center. This Hospital is one of the top private hospitals in Spain and was top notch. There was a pullout bed for my wife so she stayed with me in the room for the two nights. That was a big help and comfort as you can all imagine. Having a family member stay in the room in this hospital is a pretty standard procedure. You can even order companion meals for the room. They cost a bit extra, but the food there was really good. No green Jello here!

I was in very little pain. They had me on IV pain meds and an anti inflammatory for the first night and part way through the first day post surgery. The back of my neck hurt the most and I was reminded that even though they get to the spine through the front of your neck all the work is being done on the back side where the spine actually is positioned. But really considering the pain I was in before the surgery the post surgery pain was easy to cope with. There was no pain at all at the incision site.

I was discharged on day two, I was given a soft collar to wear, but only if I felt I really needed it, which I never did. I was given two prescriptions one for a muscle relaxer and one for pain, which was basically a higher than over the counter dose of Ibuprofen. I had two P/T sessions while in the hospital, which consisted of going through several stretching exercises, which I was instructed to keep up for the next 3-4 weeks. Which I have and it does help to keep things moving. Plus many of you know that bruning and cramping that goes along with many of our situations. Well they are gone and that has been a huge relief.

I had rented an apartment for our two week stay in Barcelona (The Spine Center will set-up your airport p/u and arrange for your hotel if you so chose) and spent time touring the city before and after my surgery. Barcelona is a beautiful city and this was our first time there so we made the most of it and were pretty much being the non-stop tourists. I had no trouble getting around and all the walking did me good. I wore a medium size bandage on my neck and that was it. I saw Dr. Clavel a week after my surgery and he was pleased with the outcome and the x-rays showed the M-6’s were sitting like they should be and he said enjoy the rest of your stay and when you go home you can go back to work in a couple of weeks.

I can’t say enough about Dr. Clavel and Dr. Gilete. Both are great surgeons, very caring, confident and professional.
If there is anything I can do to help anyone please let me know.

JPJH

[KBear]

Thanks for sharing your surgical experience. Glad your surgery has been so successful and you are doing so good.

[ajj1001]

it's great to hear your story and sounds like you have had an amazing outcome. brilliant news!

[Justin]

JPJH,

Congratulations on being one month post-op from your cervical artificial disc replacement surgery!

I've heard great things about Dr. Clavel. Keep us posted on your recovery.

[scotto74]

JPJH,

Congrats on your surgery and best wishes for a continued successful recovery!!

Scott

[Cindylou]

Yes, I'd like to also ditto all the above well-wishes to you. Your surgical experience and recovery sound exceptional. What good news to hear, and thank-you for taking the time to share it with us. I hope you will continue to update us by and by with your progress. Good luck! Cindylou

[JK2234]

Yet, Medicaid covers the pro-disc...

[tyler]

Hey JPJH -

Really glad to hear things went so well !!

I hope you'll join the group - and stay connected:
http://www.spinepatientsociety.org/forum/groups/m6ers/

Best wishes for a great recovery!
Tyler

[Tammy H]

Hello JPJH!
I am fairly new to the spine patient society. I am in need of surgery for my 2 herniated discs c5/6 and c6/7. Of the 5 opinions I am awaiting, both Ritter-Lang and my U.S. doc agree that I need surgery at both levels since they are compressing my spinal cord. With all that I have read, the M6 device seems to be the best choice so far, but it looks like I will need to travel to get it. Thus, I am seeking info from M6 groupies!!!

I have 2 questions for you: First, is there a specific reason you chose Dr. Clavel in Spain over Dr. Ritter-Lang in Germany? I am a bit nervous about traveling to Spain now in 2012 with all the stories of their economy tanking so badly. But the best surgeon is what I am after. Secondly, are you still happy with the M6 implants? Have you had any complications? If so, how is Dr. Clavel with follow-up issues?

Thank you for any info you are willing to share! These are scary times

Tammy

[KanRunMo]

I can't speak to the doctors but we were in Spain recently and there was no problem. I'm sure they are happy to have any tourists for any reason.