Patient Stories

1. What was wrong with your spine and how did it effect your work and lifestyle?

Steve: I had a prolapsed disc L4-5 about 4 years ago, the injury greatly affected my life, as many days I would be exhausted from back pain and home by 6pm on the sofa, with weekends laid up trying to recover. It also greatly reduced my ability to have a normal social life. I had become very short tempered in general dealing with the pain.

2. What were your options with spine surgeons in New Zealand?

Steve: I had a discectomy two years earlier but it not work, along with cortisone injections, I was told that a spinal fusion would fix the problem.

3. What made you choose to travel to Germany?

Steve: After researching spinal fusions I knew it was not the answer as it would not get me back to full recovery. I remember waking up on a Sunday morning, shattered from the pain, depressed with the injury controlling my life and thinking there has to be a better solution than a fusion, so I started googling how to fix a prolapse disc, after a short time I found the Spine Connection website and thoroughly went through it in detail, then you tube to watch Dr Thomas Bierstedt operating, also continued to review other web sites but felt very comfortable with what I found with Spine Connection, I had contacted another Australian company but they would not tell me which implant they would use. Red Flag.

I had several conversations with Jake Lemon, he was very open and everything he told me made sense, along with talking to another patient that had been I then knew it was for me.

I was amazed that with 48 hours of uploading my scans to drop box I had a diagnosis, two surgery dates to choose from and the potential of full recovery. Within 4 weeks of contacting Spine Connection I was in surgery.

4. What was your experience like in Germany with your surgeon and the Medicos Aufschalke rehab centre?

Steve: I was a bit nervous going to Germany by myself. Meeting Dr Bierstedt was great he was very personable and put me at ease before the surgery answering all my questions as there were few. The Rehab center was great, there I met more patients that had similar surgeries. The Doctors and therapists were very professional and great to chat with as we got to know each other throughout the week. I was amazed that six days after surgery I was on a treadmill at the gym.

5. What lifestyle can you enjoy now that you’re home and recovered?

Steve: The recovery has been amazing, , my friends were completely surprised to see me walking when I returned home, twenty five days after surgery I walked 13 kilometres. There were a few weeks I was slack on the exercises and my body slowed up but after a conversation with Jake I was in the gym and walking a lot which very quickly got me back on track. After three months I returned to normal activity, swimming, gym and progressively lifting heavier items, five months on I have no hesitation in lifting or engaging in any activity.

6. What would you say to anyone considering travelling to Germany for spine surgery?

Steve: The advise that I had received for fusion being the answer is simply from Doctors/ Surgeons that don’t know any better and are simply not trained in the latest techniques now available in Germany. It is extremely disappointing to be faced with the option of fusion, but as I did I would suggest taking your health into your own hands and getting the best medical care available.

I would suggest to watch the surgeries on you tube of the ONZ Surgeons along with talking to a patient that’s had it done.

For me it was a life changing experience from the injury controlling my life to now having my life back I am very grateful.

Many Thanks to Jake, Dr Bierstedt and the team that made this all possible.

Regards,

A chilly wet start to winter here, Phuket in April was great, 30 degrees was fantastic.

Regards,