Hybrid Surgery

[kobera123]

I'm looking for anyone who has gone through what is called a hybrid surgery for multiple herniated discs. Which means that you had a fusion at one level in cervical area and then had an artificial disc replacement at another level, usually adjacent to fusion. This is what my doctor is looking to do to maintain ROM. The problem is the insurance company says there is not enough data to back this type of surgery. Any help would be appreciated.

[Tuckamore]

Hello Kobera,

I have no experience with this new procedure. On the Virginia Spine Institute web-sire I did find the follow news article which reads in part:

Begin Quote: "January 16, 2013 – Dr. Thomas C. Schuler, Chief Executive Officer and Spinal Surgeon at Virginia Spine Institute, is the first spinal surgeon in the country to perform a hybrid multi-level cervical artificial disc replacement with spinal fusion." End Quote

Unfortunately insurance companies are slow to authorize new procedures - even when procedures are confirmed effective. It can take several years before our insurances become up-to-speed.  Remember they are a business. They want to make money and not pay it out. The more they deny - the more they save. I've seen this happen in multiple cases where denial costs them even more money than had they approved the procedure or medication. They just don't get it.

I wish you the best. Please keep us posted. I'll be very interested to hear more from you. I hope you are successful in getting this approved - and that you'll share the results with us.

Take Care - and Best of Luck,
~Tuck