Dr. Thomas Bierstedt

• Medical Studies: Westphalian Wilhelms University in Münster, Germany (Studied 1991–1998)
• Medical License (Approbation): Received May 1999
• Medical Doctorate (MD): Awarded October 1999
• Neurosurgical Training: Began at Knappschaftskrankenhaus Recklinghausen; continued from mid-1999 at the von Bodelschwinghschen Krankenanstalten Bielefeld as an assistant physician until September 2004.
• Specialist Certification: Passed neurosurgery specialist examination in September 2004; practiced as a specialist in Bielefeld until November 2005.
• Senior Physician Appointments: Senior Physician for Neurosurgery and Senior Physician for Spine Surgery at Knappschaftskrankenhaus Recklinghausen (December 2005 to March 2008), establishing a supraregional center for spine surgery with a focus on disc prosthetics and spine traumatology.
• Clinical Registry: View Dr. Bierstedt’s Profile on the Official ONZ Website

• Federal German Medical Association: Registered Specialist with the Bundesärztekammer.
• Regional Medical Council: Registered Specialist with the Medical Council of Westfalen-Lippe, Germany (Ärztekammer Westfalen-Lippe).
• German Society for Spine Surgery: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Wirbelsäulenchirurgie (DWG)
• EuroSpine: The Spine Society of Europe
• AO Spine Europe: AO Foundation Spine Section

• Global Motion-Preservation Leader: Part of the premier surgical team that has personally performed over 6,500+ successful artificial disc implantations, making them one of the most experienced motion-preservation teams in the world.
• Pioneering Nucleus Research: In 2009, Dr. Bierstedt performed what was the world’s largest clinical series of pressure- and volume-controlled implanted artificial nucleus prostheses (Dascor®), establishing himself at the forefront of early spinal motion research.
• Volume Leader in Europe: He is currently one of only a handful of elite spine specialist surgeons across Europe who implants up to 200 lumbar disc prostheses per year, having performed the highest number of lateral approach lumbar disc replacements on the continent.
• Industry Innovator: Serves as a primary reference surgeon and co-developer of advanced spine technologies for global device manufacturers including, Premia Spine, Signus (Germany), FH Orthopedics, and LDR (France).
• Clinical Trial Lead for Fusion Alternatives: Served as an official international reference investigator, presenter, and primary data coordinator for Premia Spine’s TOPS™ System (Total Posterior Spine System). His clinical tracking data specifically details the multi-center European trial outcomes, proving the safety and movement-retention of Total Facet Joint Replacement versus traditional spinal fusion.

His Surgical Philosophy:
“A patient’s next spine surgery should be their last spine surgery.”

Customized Implant Selection: As a leader in motion-preserving spine surgery, Dr. Bierstedt maintains an extensive, sterile inventory suite directly connected to the operating theatre, equipped with 4 different lumbar disc models and 5 cervical disc models.

Precision Anatomy Matching: Featuring hundreds of specific height, footprint, and lordotic curvature variations, this on-site access allows Dr. Bierstedt to test and select the ideal device during surgery. By matching the individual anatomical needs of every patient, he ensures that disc replacement is never a ‘one-size-fits-all’ procedure.

Dr. Thomas Bierstedt is one of Germany’s leading spine surgeons specializing in complex reconstructive procedures. His core areas of expertise include:

• Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR): Motion-preserving interventions in both the lumbar and cervical spine. Patients can explore our advanced Artificial Disc Replacement solutions to see how these motion-preservation techniques protect overall mobility.
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD): Providing advanced, tissue-sparing treatments for progressive degenerative disc disease to relieve chronic pain and restore the spine’s natural height.
• Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion & iFuse Technology: Minimally invasive stabilization for patients suffering from sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Dr. Bierstedt selected the SI-Bone iFuse Implant System® for its patented triangular design, which prevents rotational movement, promotes bone ingrowth, and provides long-term stability through a small keyhole incision.
• Minimally Invasive Fusion (MIS PLIF): Advanced spinal fusion performed through two tiny side incisions. Using a specialized cross-over technique, Dr. Bierstedt treats both sides of the spinal canal from a single approach. This completely protects the stabilizing back muscles from being detached, drastically reducing internal scarring, accelerating recovery, and minimizing the risk of adjacent segment disease (accelerated wear on the discs and facet joints next to the fusion area).
• Upper Lumbar Interventions: Highly specialized surgical care tailored specifically for complex conditions and structural issues affecting the upper sections of the lumbar spine.
• Corpectomy & Vertebral Body Replacement: Advanced reconstructive surgery involving the removal of a severely damaged vertebral segment, followed by the complete replacement of the missing bone with a state-of-the-art structural implant to restore spinal height and protect the spinal cord.
• Lumbar Facet Replacement & Dynamic Stabilization: Advanced mobility-retaining solutions for the lumbar spine.
• Anterior Approach Interventions: Abdominal Approach Spine Surgery accessing the lower back gently from the front (when required) rather than interfering with posterior back muscles, allowing for a much faster recovery.