[Belzinct]

Hi all, I have been lurking for a few weeks now and so thankful to see so many others navigating through this process as well.

October 2015 I woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain. An MRI later showed a scary neck with 2 herniated discs and spinal cord compression showing signal changes. I have never been in a car accident or had severe neck trauma. Just crazing skiing in my 20s with maybe a few not so pretty falls. Anyways, I have seen 6 orthopedic surgeons and a psychiatrist (who basically said I need to see a surgeon). 4 of the 6 surgeons said fusion. I finally found a doctor at HSS (supposedly the best orthopedic hospital in the country) who said he could do 1 level ADR and 1 level fusion but I know insurance doesn't cover that nor have their been studies done on a hybrid surgery. So the final doctor I went to (also at HSS) said he could do a 2 level ADR using the Mobi C, so I currently have surgery scheduled with him in a few weeks.

HOWEVER, I asked him how many he has done and he told me he has done 25 one-level ADRs and only 4 two-level ADRs. Now I am nervous. I am sure he is an excellent surgeon but from what I gather in reading this board, experience for this surgery is everything. It seems to me that there are only a handful of doctors who fall into this category… Bierstadt, Clavel, Zeeger, Laurynnsen…. I really can't believe people travel to such lengths for this surgery, but I am in the dark.

I have called LDR but they can't tell me how many Mobi C discs they have provided the doctors, and doctors don't seem to be so forthcoming as to how many they have done. So here are my questions: (1) Do you think that the number of ADRs a doctor has performed is crucial for this surgery, and (2) does anyone know of any doctors in the Northeast who regularly conducts ADRs or who were involved in the Mobi C clinical trials? I am pursuing Laurynnsen who is now in TX however, I have 3 small kids and for me to travel anywhere for surgery is going to be very difficult for me to schedule.

Oh, btw, I am in no pain. With as nasty my neck looks on the images, I have very little physical symptoms… my upper back/neck feels tired/strained, and slight weakness/numbness in my left arm. However, I am too scared to do any of my activities … running, biking, skiing so basically not living my life. I want to schedule this surgery and move on.

Thanks for any input. I really appreciate it!