Ken, two level Maverick L3-4 and L 4-5, July 7, 2005
I had back pain for 27 years and now have none!
This isn’t to say I’m not still healing as I’m not as young as I use to be
(now 55), but it is terrific not to have back pain anymore!!!
Last February (2005), I was about to lose my
mind. I was pretty sure I was heading for one of those riding motorized
chairs as I was having more and more back pain. I could barely make it up
the stairs to our bedroom, and if I did, I usually was collapsing in pain
on the bed.
Our neurosurgeon here in Spokane told me I
needed multiple level disc replacement surgery but it would probably be
several years before they could perform a multiple level disc replacement
in the States. I was really becoming depressed and desperate. I was so
tired of being “doped up” and always being told to come back in six weeks
for yet another doctor appointment that always resulted in more meds!
My wife and I had been investigating disc
replacement on the web, but could find nothing available here in the
States except for a possible “study” which would have cost us $50,000 to
$60,000!
Then one day, my wife searched for “multiple
disc replacement” on the web and Jim’s website “getadr.com” came up. It
was the miracle we were praying to find. After talking with Jim Rider
several times and people he referred to me who had already been to Stenum
for surgery, we sent off my MRI plus bone scan to Malte. We soon had an
answer back and they recommended disc replacement at L 3-4 and L 4-5. We
immediately started arranging for my surgery in July scheduling our
flights and notifying Malte of our decision. Malte immediately responded
then next day confirming my surgery date.
The entire staff at Stenum was incredible. They
all treated us like we were royalty… they were caring, honest, and very
polite… which was quite different from our experiences with the medical
profession here in the States that always left us feeling like a “number”
and without much hope.
The surgery went well and I only spent four days
after surgery at Stenum. It was incredible not to have any back pain
anymore.
We elected to stay at the Park Hotel in Bremen
for our follow-up week. I knew I had a new life when I could walk and
climb some thirty odd steps at the Park Hotel’s outside garden area
without a single bit pf back pain.
Going to Stenum doesn’t mean you won’t have
pain, as there is always some recovery pain associated with surgery. But,
Stenum staff strive to minimize any pain you might have and they are
dedicated to your well-being. Most of the pain I have had is associated to
the maverick implants increasing my height by a little over an inch as my
L 3-4 and L 4-5 areas had become so degenerated. This growth meant my
muscles, ligaments, and tendons, also had to stretch to my new height.
Sometimes the pain (muscle cramps and the like in my legs) was
excruciating, but I found ways to control it and it subsided after about
seven weeks!
I would recommend you stay a third week in
Bremen if you can before the long flight back to the States even if it is
on your own nickel. Bremen is a beautiful town and your extra recovery
time in such a beautiful setting is well worth the money spent. I would
also recommend that you fly back 1st class for the comfort of
the larger seats that allow you to stretch and sleep.
All in all, would I do it again? Absolutely!!!
It is incredible not to have that blasted back pain I had lived with for
so long. Thanks to Stenum and Jim Rider, I have a new life!
Feel free to contact me if you like at
kblackwood4@yahoo.com.
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