[teg]

Hey Mark,
I will take the opportunity to jump in here because I feel that I am a walking spokesperson for both sciences ADR and Fusion. While fusion of the intervebral bodies of the spine has been the "gold standard", my cervical spine has yet to agree with the ages of wisdom behind this science.

I live with the domino effect from my fusion of c6-c7, yet never questioned the skill of my surgeon. Here in DC, he is listed among the best. Yet, the fusion has left me in a significant amount of pain and a likely future of more surgery.

My three-level ADR by Dr. Bertagnoli changed my life. WHile spine surgery is no panacea, mine was a complete success. I hope that as this forum goes forward, we lear from each other's experience. "what is good for the Government, is good for the poeple. (My two cents.) We are a financially incentived medical society in the US and innovation takes a back seat to progress.

Thelma