Patient Stories

See How We Change Lives

Our patients searched far and wide to compare the best solutions from around the world. By personality they are strong and determined, and did not settle for the first medical opinion they received. They share their experience with photos and videos, so others can follow their journey having spine surgery overseas. All patients in this section are part of our support network, available to talk with approved candidates. They carry our flag because we supported them in their time of need.

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International spine surgery patient testimonials in Germany – ongoing series of real patient experience videos

[Last Updated: 28 March, 2026] Patients naturally ask:Has someone like me done this before? What was their experience and outcome? On this page, you will find a regularly updated collection of genuine patient stories from individuals who travelled to Germany for specialist spine surgery with Dr. Thomas Bierstedt, Dr. Bernd Illerhaus, and Dr. Guido Ostermann. […]

-27 February, 2025 Clay lives an active physical lifestyle with his family on his ranch. He consulted with local spine specialists and was advised to have a Lumbar spine fusion and change his lifestyle. He contacted Spine Connection in early 2022 and we guided him through the online assessment process. We coordinated the large and […]

24 February, 2022 – Last week we were pleasantly surprised with an email from Vince, sharing photos and videos of his time in Germany and recovery at home. Vince was more than 17 months post-op and wanted to share his story on our website. Vince is an early 40’s Texas gentleman from the USA, who […]

7 February, 2022 – Anthony first contacted us in August 2020 after learning two of his friends in Auckland, New Zealand, had travelled to Germany for disc replacement surgery after we had our specialist Dr. Thomas Bierstedt review their cases. He had suffered mild neck discomfort on and off for 15 years and managed it […]

Aidan is a 49-year-old Computer Scientist from Israel. He contacted Spine Connection in early September 2020, with an interest to be assessed for motion-preserving spine surgery in Germany. Aidan damaged three levels in his Lumbar spine, L3 to S1, in a motorbike accident 20 years ago. At the time he received a Posterior Lumbar Interbody […]

Poppy contacted Spine Connection in October 2019 looking to return to an active lifestyle. Unfortunately her symptoms had returned after an L5/S1 microdiscectomy one year previously in Australia. Poppy’s case was unique as she was travelling around the world with her Husband and living on their sailing yacht. She was interested in avoiding a […]

John is a healthy and active 70-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand. He first contacted us in mid-2019 for a second opinion after being advised locally for a spine fusion, which he wanted to avoid if possible. We guided John through our remote assessment process to ensure our surgeons received all the correct diagnostics they needed. […]

The video above contains footage of Jason’s actual surgery (beginning at 19:46). Meet Jason Wimmer, a 48 year old building inspector from Melbourne, Australia. He and wife Hilary live on a large acreage and enjoy their outdoor lifestyle with their family of six. His spine journey began after an outdoor accident in early 2017. […]

Steve is a healthy and active 64-year-old from Florida in the USA. We caught up with him for an interview just eight days after his OLIF spine surgery in Thailand. Steve contacted Spine Connection in mid-2019 looking for an extra opinion for his painful lower back. He had tried all means of physiotherapy, injections […]

Joel is a 50-year-old Company Director from Auckland, New Zealand. He first injured his back 28 years ago, and after a serious prolapse in early 2017, was told he needed a spinal fusion.

Jason is a 46-year-old manual labourer from New South Wales, Australia. After a workplace fall he suffered in pain for 5 years.

What started as an ache in Mike's lower back soon progressed to the feeling of electric shocks running down his legs. He had to give up skiing, running and other outdoor activities. Watch his story here...

Craig is a 32-year-old Mercedes Benz mechanic based in Melbourne, Australia. He had been suffering with pain from Lumbar (L4/L5 and L5/S1) Degenerative Disc Disease for 10 years.

Savant contacted 15 doctors in 7 countries after multiple previous spine surgeries didn’t help him. See why he chose Spine Connection and ONZ Germany. On the first day we met he arrived with a walking cane, and we assisted him every step of the way.

Taran is a 36-year-old Fitness Instructor from New Zealand. He first contacted us in early June, 2017. His very first enquiry was all too familiar for us:

Fabian is 45 and lives in Sydney, Australia. His lower back pain began in mid-2015 and quickly progressed. Later that year, his local neurosurgeons told him he wasn’t a candidate for surgery, and to continue with physiotherapy.

Linda wanted to avoid spinal fusion and would only accept Spinal Disc Replacement from the most experienced surgeons using the most advanced disc implants.

Ronn is a 46 year old extreme endurance athlete from Alice Springs in Central Australia. At 192cm he is taller than most, and enjoys competitive mountain biking and road cycling.

Jeff is a 48-year-old commercial airline pilot from New Zealand. Due to his degenerative lower back pain and discomfort while seated for long periods, he was unable to continue the career he loved.

Robyn is a former ICU Nurse based in Port Nelson, New Zealand. She contacted us in June 2015 for a third opinion regarding her debilitating spine condition.

Jamie is a 36-year-old family man from New Zealand. He contacted us in September 2015, after 10+ years of pain caused by a Skiing accident when he was younger.

Steve is a 46 year old Company Director from Christchurch, New Zealand. He injured his lower back in a gym accident in 2013, describing the immediate pain as an “electric shock”.

After already leaving Texas (USA) for a Total Hip Replacement in Germany, Carmen was no stranger to their high level of orthopaedic care. This time she made the journey for Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR or TDR) with Dr. Bernd Illerhaus.

Mohammad first contact us in July 2016, from Melbourne Australia, with his good friend Ali. They were both destined to have the exact same surgery in Germany on the same day.

Ali is one of our younger patients who travelled to Germany for ADR. He is strong willed and travelled with his good friend Mohammad who also had surgery on the same day.

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Patient Stories

See How We Change Lives

Spine Surgery in Germany: 55 Journeys Shared by International Patients

Clay’s Story: Life as a Cattle Rancher after ADR Spine Surgery in Germany

“I am ready to get back to living life instead of watching it go by” – Vince’s ADR Surgery with Dr. Bierstedt

My recovery after disc replacement surgery in Germany – Dr. Thomas Bierstedt Review

Aidan’s Journey to Germany for Spine Surgery during CV-19

Poppy’s ADR with Dr. Illerhaus and ONZ Germany (12 Months Post-Op Video)

My Spine Surgery Journey by John Appleton

Jason’s Surgery Video: 4 Discs Replaced with Dr. Bernd Illerhaus

From Florida to Bangkok for OLIF Spine Surgery (Poolside Interview)

Why this New Zealand Family Man chose Artificial Disc Replacement in Germany (Dr. Thomas Bierstedt Review)

Life-changing Spine Surgery with Dr. Bierstedt in Germany (Actual Surgery Footage)

Canadian Firefighter’s 3-level Disc Replacement (Mike’s Story)

Craig’s Journey with M6 Artificial Disc Replacement in Germany

4 Spinal Discs Replaced in the Same Surgery (Savant’s Story)

Young Fitness Instructor’s M6 Disc Replacement in Germany (Taran’s Story)

My 2-Level Disc Replacement to stand straight again (Fabian’s Story)

Why this Florida Fitness Instructor Travelled to Germany for Lumbar ADR (Linda’s Story)

My 3-Level Spine Surgery in Germany (Ronn’s Story)

Commercial Pilot back in the skies after Spinal Disc Replacement in Germany (Jeff’s Story)

New Zealand Nurse Avoids Spine Fusion Thanks to German Spine Specialists (Robyn’s Story)

“Mum & Dad, I’m leaving New Zealand for Spine Surgery in Germany” (Jamie’s Story)

Why Steve chose Germany for Artificial Disc Replacement (Steve’s Story).

Disc Replacement with Dr. Illerhaus: Why I Chose Germany for Surgery Again (Carmen’s Story)

My Experience with M6 ADR Surgery in Germany (Mohammad’s Story)

Young 24-year-olds Experience with Spinal Disc Replacement in Germany (Ali’s Story)

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