J13, I followed a link you posted at start of thread relating to a particular doctor (who's name I won't retype). He sounded like a good guy.
He published a personal review of a number of different ADR’s and gave a thumbs up to Maverick ADR in particular eg....
“…..This implant has the best design features and material to last the patient's lifetime. It also replicates the normal biomechanical forces at the operative and adjacent spinal levels. Of all the disc replacements at this time, the Maverick will most likely have the best results and longevity.”
Sounded good, coming from a spine doctor, so I looked for some confirming studies, but unfortunately found these.
Biomechanical Changes of the Lumbar Segment after Total Disc Replacement : Charite®, Prodisc® and Maverick® Using Finite Element Model Study
SpringerLink - Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Volume 129, Number 6
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content...-9493-3-15.pdf
I then searched the disc manufacturer and .........
#06-445: 07-18-06 Medtronic to Pay United States $40 Million to Settle Kickback Allegations
Doctors Accused Of Kickbacks By Whistleblower // Pharmalot
Pretty disturbing I think.