I suggest you to do EMG and to see what nerve do the damage or muscle spasm...for exemple if it is c7 nerve the muscle spasm are in that area ect...

Dr. Clavel is great!
 

Hi Dave,

I had ADR on L4/L5 and L5/S1 5 and 1/2 weeks ago with Dr. Clavel. I also have neck issues and Dr. Clavel has said that he thinks I would benifit from ADR at C3/C4 and C6/C7.

Regarding your decision making process, prior to getting my lumbar surgery, I consulted with a couple American doctors and Dr. Clavel. I think the general rule of thumb is that American doctors tend to be A LOT more cautious when it comes to ADR when compared with European doctors. I think there are many reasons for this. One is that ADR has been around for a long time (I think since the 1980's) in Europe where as it is relatively new here. (I think one level surgeries were FDA approved around 2004). Many doctors in the US have very little or no experience with ADR (Texas Back Institute is, of course, an exception). Also, I have heard there are restrictive insurance issues especially when it comes to getting more than one level done. In Europe, where they generally have socialized medicine, they are not bound by these insurance considerations. I have read stories on this website where people were told by many US doctors that they were not a candidate for ADR but a European doctor said they were a candidate. They got the surgery done in Europe and experienced success!

Getting back to my experience, I consulted with the Texas Back Institute and they reccomended ADR at L4/L5 and fusion at L5/S1. When I asked the representative (I didn't actually speak to the doctor because I did not go there in person), why fusion was reccomended, I was not given any real answer. I was relieved when Dr. Clavel recommended ADR on both levels as, based on the research I have done, that was definitely my preference.

Anyway, the gist of what I want to say is that if Dr. Clavel reccomends ADR, I would trust him even if American surgeons say otherwise. I believe Dr. Clavel has done over 1500 cervical ADRs, many of them multi-level. He has the experience, I believe he is a gifted and thorough surgeon, he is a very nice person and believe he has a lot of integrity.

One last thing I want to say is that I will consult with TBI for my neck surgery. I think they are the most experienced in the US with ADR and I have heard that people have good results with them. My cervical surgery may be partially covered by insurance if I go to a US doc and of course money is a definite consideration.

But getting back to you, I highly recommend Dr. Clavel and for me, the one year insurance was included in the package which really added to my peace of mind in knowing I was covered should a complication occur.

All the best,
Juliette

One more thing
 

Hi Dave,

Have you consulted with any other European surgeons besides Dr. Clavel? If you haven't that could be very benificial.

All the best,
Juliette

Another thing
 

Hi Dave,

After re-reading the long e-mail I sent you earlier today, I realized I might've been too forceful in my recommendation of Dr. Clavel. Of course, only you can decide who is the right surgeon for you. However, I do know many people on this website have had success with him and I think very highly of him. With regard to my recent lumbar surgery, it's still too early for me to tell just how successful it has been.

All the best to you, Juliette

Thanks, Juliette and pichaku!

I just had an EMG today and it showed my nerves were all good. The neurologist called them "Olympian". He is old school but very knowledgeable. He's heard only horror stories about neck surgery and would only recommend that if someone was in serious risk of being paralyzed without it.

I sent my results to Dr Clavel, and to the Texas Back Institute. Very interested in what it will mean in terms of my case.

I'm going to also get an MRI of both shoulders to rule out any kind of rotator cuff tears.

And I got full blood work done to see if there are any deficiencies which could be causing this pain, other than the cervical stuff.

I'm also meeting with another neurosurgeon highly regarded here in D.C.