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View Public Comments for Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement (LADR)

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[48 Comments]
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First character of titleCommenterComment Information
B
Balderston, MD, Richard A. Title: Chief of Spinal Surgery
Organization: Pennsylvania Hospital
Date: 12/13/2006
Comment:

I have been a Pro-Disc Lumbar Investigator for
the last five years and have personally
implanted one hundred Pro-Discs. As you know,
Pro-Disc L was approved by the FDA after the
most comprehensive assessment of any spinal More opens in new window

B
bitan, fabien Title: chief Spine Services
Organization: Lenox Hill Hospital, New York
Date: 12/18/2006
Comment:

I am an orthopedic spine surgeon. I have led an
IDE site for the charite disc and am a regular
user of motion preservation. The prospect of the
introduction of the prodisc is exciting. This
disc has a different biomechanics and More opens in new window

B
buckley md, rudolph Date: 12/22/2006
Comment:

in reference to the disc replacement we have done
at least 100 total discs with very good results.
approx 80-90 % return to work, some w/in weeks of
surgery. most have had a relief from their
debilitating pain. it has also More opens in new window

B
Burkus, MD, John Title: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Spine Service
Organization: The Hughston Clinic, P.C.
Date: 12/15/2006
Comment:

The ProDisc-L underwent a rigorous randomized
control trial at 17 sites. The study designs
were different in that the Charitte had four
endpoints and the ProDisc-L had 10. The positive
points of the ProDisc-L are that patients More opens in new window

B
Byers, Robert Title: MD
Organization: Mt Tam Orthopedics
Date: 12/27/2006
Comment:

I am writing to endorse the coverage of the ProDisc-L by Medicare. As a practicing surgeon for over 20 years I have treated back pain with varying results.

There are many causes of back pain, some known and some not known. However, many More opens in new window

C
Capicotto, William Title: Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Organization: none
Date: 12/27/2006
Comment:

The LADR is the most significant advancement in
spinal surgery in the past 20 years. It is of
value to those patients under age 60 years with 1
level disc disease an no facet arthritis or
osteopenia. More opens in new window

C
Chow, Gregory Date: 12/19/2006
Comment:

This procedure holds great potential for the
medical field in the treatment of low back pain.
Although it is a new development in spine
surgery, the possibilities for improved outcomes
are substantial. The public deserves More opens in new window

D
Deckey MD, Jeffrey Date: 12/21/2006
Comment:

To whom it may concern:

I am writing to endorse the coverage of the ProDisc-L by Medicare. As a practicing surgeon for years I have treated back pain with varying results.

There are many causes of back pain, some known and some not known. More opens in new window

D
Dennis, Steven Organization: Newport Orthopedic Institute
Date: 12/09/2006
Comment:

I am a fellowship trained spine surgeon with 19 years of experience; I have participated in trials for LADR with great success. I utilize the
anterior approach for other spinal pathology as well without reservation and with More opens in new window

D
DeVine, John Title: Director, Spinal Reconstructive Surgery
Organization: Orthopaedic Surgery Service, Department of Surgery
Date: 12/27/2006
Comment:

I am personally writing to endorse the coverage of disc arthroplasty by Medicare. I have treated back ailments of all varieties and in all age groups for several years as a practicing orthopaedic and spine surgeon.

In a select group of More opens in new window

E
Eichbaum, Eldan Title: MD
Date: 12/26/2006
Comment:

Eldan Eichbaum, MDNorth Bay Neurosurgical Associates525 Doyle Park Drive, #102Santa Rosa, CA 95405

To Whom It May Concern: December 26, 2006

I am writing to endorse the coverage of the ProDisc-L by Medicare. As a practicing surgeon for More opens in new window

F
Feild, M.D., Eugene Title: ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON
Organization: SOLS PRACTIONER
Date: 12/19/2006
Comment:

AT THIS TIME, THERE IS NO APPROVED DISC REPLACEMENT FOR MEDICARE/MEDICAID PATIENTS. ONE OF THE LARGEST GROUPS THAT ARE DISABLED IS FROM LOW BACK DISEASE. I AGREE THAT PEOPLE WITH SOFT BONES AND AGE GREATER THAT 65 ARE NOT GOOD CANDIDATES FOR More opens in new window

F
Freese, Andrew Title: Chairman of Neurosurgery
Organization: University of South Carolina
Date: 12/21/2006
Comment:

I am writing in strong support of Prodisc, an artificial disc replacement system produced and tested extensively by Synthes Spine. Prodisc is markedly different than the failed experience with the Charite artificial disc which has More opens in new window

G
Garvey, Timothy Title: Attending MD
Organization: Twin Cities Spine Center
Date: 12/28/2006
Comment:

As CMS is moving forward with decisions on ADR, their impact will be beyond the Medicare population. While the Medicare population, likely will be small for those who are truly good candidates for this technology, there will a More opens in new window

G
Goldstein, Jeffrey Title: Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Organization: NYU School of Medicine
Date: 12/25/2006
Comment:

I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the
NCA for disc replacement. I am an investigator
in the Synthes Spine ProDisc-L IDE study at NYU
Hospital for Joint Diseases.

It would be shortsighted not to consider the More opens in new window

G
Greeley, Barbara Date: 12/06/2006
Comment:

This is a great procedure that will enable people to live happy and productive lives. I believe Medicare will save lots of money even in the short term by allowing this procedure. Patients are often up and walking the same day of surgery and More opens in new window

H
Herzog, John Title: Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Date: 12/20/2006
Comment:

Artificial disc replacement is by no means a
cure all for chronic low back pain, but it has a
limited role in the treatment of symptomatic
degenerative disc disease. Excellent clinical
results can be obtained in well More opens in new window

H
Holt, Richard Organization: Spine Surgery, PSC
Date: 12/27/2006
Comment:

I am writing to endorse Prodisc-L coverage by Medicare. My practice for the last 26 years has been dedicated to the treatment of spinal disorders including low back pain. I had the privilege to be involved in the IDE study for the Charite disc. More opens in new window

H
Huggins, Michael Title: President
Organization: Synthes Spine
Date: 12/28/2006
Comment:

December 27, 2006

Deirdre O’Connor
Coverage and Analysis group
Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard (Mailstop C1-09-06)
Baltimore, MD 21244-1849

Dear Ms. O’Connor:

Synthes Spine appreciates the More opens in new window

J
Jarosz, Todd Title: Spine surgeon
Organization: Piedmont Spine Associates
Date: 12/27/2006
Comment:

Please consider Prodisc-L with the utmost
care and scrutiny. It will provide an alternate
to fusion for patients and the spine surgeon.
Although initially payer's will see high implant
cost upfront, the long term benefits More opens in new window

J
Jenkins, Arthur Title: Assistant Professor
Organization: Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Date: 12/16/2006
Comment:

as a physician who specializes in the surgical
treatment of patients with spinal disorders, it
is increasingly becoming apparent that a small
subset of patients on disability could be
substantially improved with an artificial More opens in new window

K
Khoja, Isam Title: MD, FRCSC
Organization: Tristate Neurosurgical Group
Date: 12/24/2006
Comment:

Treatment of degenerative disc disease is shifting
from fusion to motion preservation. This is proved
in Europ and lately here in the USA. It preserve
the flexibility of the spine and prevent
junctional syndrome which is a More opens in new window

K
Koontz, Douglas Organization: Neurosurgery Specialists, Inc.
Date: 12/19/2006
Comment:

As a Neurosurgeon that deals with spine problems, I'd like to make the following comments regarding the Pro-Disc: 1)artificial disc placement is state-of-the-art treatment for many spine conditions, and does not result in fusion which More opens in new window

K
Kuether, Todd Title: MD
Organization: Microneurosurgical Consultants
Date: 12/06/2006
Comment:

I have had the opportunity to implant the Pro-
Disc L. It was very effective and safe. The
patient is very happy with the results. I think
this is a very reasonable option to lumbar
fusion in select patients and should at least More opens in new window

L
Lanman, MD, Todd Title: Chief of Neurosurgery, Director Spine Surgery
Organization: Century City Doctors Hospital
Date: 12/11/2006
Comment:

I am writing to endorse the coverage of the ProDisc-L by Medicare. As a practicing surgeon for years I have treated back pain with varying results.

There are many causes of back pain, some known and some not known. However, many More opens in new window

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