National Insurance Carriers Now Cover Artificial Cervical Disc Surgery

For more than a decade, Virginia Sabine endured. But the vibrant 40-year-old wanted more than unbearable neck pain and addictive medication. She wanted her life back.

In 1996, Virginia had two discs fused. Now a third disc was acting up, and she went hunting for answers. She found them in Geoff Dixon, M.D. an experienced neurosurgeon with the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN). He recommended an artificial disc for the cervical (neck) region that was unanimously approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2007. Neurosurgeons at CINN are among the most well-trained surgeons in the country in performing cervical artificial disc surgery and frequently are asked to teach other spine surgeons in the technique.

“The decision to go with artificial disc replacement was easy,” Virginia says. “Not only was the procedure covered by insurance, but the benefits far outweighed spinal fusion.”

She says that the difference between the artificial disc operation and the fusion was night and day. “In 1996 I was in the hospital for five days and in a neck brace for two months. This time I was out of the hospital and walking immediately and the pain was completely gone within four days.”

U.S. health insurers, too, see the same benefits in artificial cervical disc surgery that Virginia did. As a result, today they are extending coverage to a broad base of customers.

Now 200,000 Americans with spinal disorders have potential access through insurers such as Aetna, various BlueCross BlueShield plans and Broadspire to artificial disc surgery instead of the conventional cervical spinal fusion surgery. Other insurance carriers may approve the innovative procedure on a case-by-case basis.

Currently, the most common surgical treatment for patients with degenerative discs in the cervical spine is spinal fusion. In this procedure, a surgeon removes the damaged disc then implants a bone graft and metal plate to fuse the vertebrae together. Challenges of spinal fusion include longer recovery time, pain management and the possibility of adjacent level surgery in the future.

During artificial disc replacement surgery, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc, a stainless-steel device with a ball-in-trough design intended to allow for replication of normal motion. The disc stays in place with bone screws. The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately one to two days. Patients can begin rehabilitation and return to daily activities soon after surgery. In fact, one study demonstrated that patients receiving the cervical disc returned to work in 45 days, 16 days earlier than the fusion patients.

“Studies show that artificial cervical disc patients have a higher rate of neurological success as measured by muscle tone, strength, sensation, as well as responsiveness of reflexes as compared to those who’ve had spinal fusion,” says Dr. Dixon. “Studies also demonstrate that at a two-year follow-up exam, the overall success rate for the artificial disc group is 79.3% compared to the fusion group at 67.8%. These reasons are compelling enough for potential candidates to consider the option of an artificial disc.”

The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch is one of the nation’s leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders. Founded in 1987, CINN is one of the Midwest’s largest teams of neurosurgeons, physiatrists and neurologists known for their pioneering treatments in minimally invasive techniques. Through a network of seven hospitals throughout Chicagoland, CINN is a market leader in treating brain tumors and spine disorders.

For details on the cervical artificial disc, call: 1-800-446-1234 or visit www.cinn.org. The following insurance carriers have issued a positive coverage decision on the Prestige Cervical Artificial Disc:

Aetna-National
Avera Health – SD, IA, NE
BCBS Horizon – NJ
BCBS Illinois
BCBS Montana
BCBS New Mexico
BCBS Oklahoma
BCBS South Carolina
BCBS Texas
Broadspire
Brown and Toland IPA – CA
BSBS North Dakota
Builders Insurance Company – NV
Community Care of OK – OK
Cox Health-MO
Dean Health Plan-WI
Employers Insurance of Nevada – NV
Gunderson – Lutheran Health Plan – WI
Highmark BCBS – PA, WV
Lovelace Health Plan – NM
Medical Mutual - OH
Montana State Employee Fund-MT
Motion Picture Association-CA
ODS Health Plan
Pacific Source-OR
Physicians Plus – WI
Premera WA, AK (also administrators for LifeWise AZ, OR)
Priority Health of Western MI – MI
Public Employees Benefit Program – NV
Public Employees Health Plan of Utah – UT
SelectHealth – UT
Willis-Knighton Health Plus – LA
Writer’s Guild-CA

CINN PATIENT HAS NEW LEASE ON LIFE

For ten years, forty-year old Virginia Sabine had tolerated the stabbing pain in her neck. Now it was time for a significant change.  Virginia had two discs fused in 1996. Now a third disc was acting up.  She wanted to have a child, but knew she had to stop taking pain pills if she wanted to get pregnant.

“After a long day, my neck and under arm would be on fire,” says Virginia   But I wanted to remain active and continue dancing and exercising, both which are important to me.  I wasn’t willing to give that up.”

Finally, she sought help at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch where experienced spine surgeon, Geoff Dixon, M.D., recommended the artificial cervical disc.   The artificial disc for the cervical (neck) region was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2007 and is expected to impact more than 200,000 Americans who suffer from degenerative disc disease.

“My recuperation was amazing,” she admits.  “The difference between this operation and the fusion was night and day.  In 1996 I was in the hospital for five days and in a neck brace for two months.  This time I was out of the hospital and walking immediately and the pain was completely gone within four days.”

Currently, the most common treatment for patients with degenerative discs in the cervical spine is spinal fusion.  In this procedure a surgeon removes the damaged disc then implants a bone graft and metal plate to fuse the vertebrae together.  During artificial disc replacement surgery, the damaged disc is removed and replaced with an artificial disc, a stainless-steel device with a ball-in-trough design intended to allow for replication of normal motion. The disc stays in place with bone screws.  The hospital stay for this procedure is approximately one to two days.  Patients can begin rehabilitation and return to daily activities soon after surgery.   In fact, one study demonstrated that patients receiving the cervical disc returned to work in 45 days, 16 days earlier than the fusion patients. 

“Studies show that artificial cervical disc patients have a higher rate of neurological success as measured by muscle tone, strength, sensation, as well as responsiveness of reflexes as compared to those who’ve had spinal fusion ”  says Dr. Dixon.  “Studies also demonstrate that at a two year follow-up exam, the overall success rate for the artificial disc group is 79.3% compared to the fusion group at 67.8%.  These reasons are compelling enough for potential candidates to consider the option of an artificial disc.” 

Furthmore many insurance companies in the Chicagoland area are now providing coverage for the cervical artificial disc, including some of the largest payors in the market such as  Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna (case by case basis).

The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch is one of the nation’s leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders.  Originally founded in 1987, CINN is one of the Midwest’s largest teams of neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and neurologists known for their pioneering treatments in minimally invasive techniques.   Through a network of seven hospitals throughout Chicagoland, CINN is a market leader in treating patients with brain tumors and spine disorders.

For more information on the cervical artificial disc, call 1-800-446-1234 or visit www.cinn.org.

 

Veterans suffering back problems offered free help

For American soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, chronic back pain is an all too common complaint.

It’s estimated that in the Army alone, back injuries affect more than 150,000 active-duty soldiers a year.

Soldiers can develop serious back problems as a result of carrying heavy equipment and sitting or crouching in the same position for long periods, said Dr. Edward Mkrdichian, a neurosurgeon at the institute.

Mkrdichian especially wanted to help injured soldiers because of his ties to Iraq. He fled Iraq with his family in 1971, he said.

“I wanted to give something back to these people who went there and sacrificed their life, let alone their health and family, to liberate Iraq,” he said.

For more information, call 800 411-2466 or go to cinn.org.

Sun-Times to Feature CINN Gives Back to Veterans Program and Dr. Mkrdichian

Dr. Mkrdichian recently shared with Sun-Times reporter Monifa Thomas the attributes of the CINN Gives Back to Veterans Program.  We thank the Sun-Times for their willingness to help us spread the word about the free services we are offering to veterans with back pain. 

If you are a U.S. veteran of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars and have back pain CINN would be happy to evaluate you free of charge.  Please visit www.cinn.org/cinn-gives-back/ for more information.

Veterans returning with back problems can benefit from “CINN Gives Back” program

As the U.S. military speeds up its withdrawal of troops from Iraq, more then a fourth of all soldiers will return suffering not from bad battle wounds, but from bad backs. It’s estimated that more than 150,000 active and inactive Iraqi servicemen struggle with back pain. In Afghanistan, American soldiers are reporting similar problems.

The pain is often caused by lifting supplies, carrying heavy backpacks, crouching in trenches and sleeping on unsupported cots. That means a lot of war veterans will be seeking help for aching backs.

These harsh realities prompted the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) to offer a new complimentary program to military personnel who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and who suffer from back conditions. A recent Iraq and U.S. pact mandates that U.S. troops will leave Iraqi villages by the middle of this year and leave Iraq completely by 2011.

“CINN Gives Back” program provides each soldier with a complimentary consultation by some of the nation’s foremost neurosurgeons and pain specialists. It also includes a complimentary pain relief session with a certified physical therapist. If surgery or alternative therapy is needed, CINN will work on a case-by-case basis to provide necessary treatment to American servicemen that served in Iraq who strive to be free of back pain. In addition, all members receive a free pain booklet with tips on core strengthening, treatment options and a resource list of organizations they can turn to for help.

There also is an interactive blog site available where soldiers can seek advice from CINN medical professionals and communicate with other vets who suffer from back pain.

“We are anxious to assist our Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who have back problems,” says Len Cerullo, M.D., renowned CINN neurosurgeon who is often referred to as “a visionary in neurosurgery.”

“Even personnel in top-notch physical condition often struggle with back pain. We realize that immediate intervention can help prevent chronic back pain and related conditions that can last a lifetime.”

Just ask 24-yearold Iraq veteran Matt Breen, who is a personal trainer and performs a daily set of preventative exercises, still struggles with chronic back pain. Breen served as a squad leader and supervisor of armaments during his time in Mosul and Tikrit, Iraq. His days were spent lifting heavy crates of ammunition, carrying 50-pound back packs and crouching during field exercises.

Now he runs daily and works on strengthening his core every day, but it is not without pain. He recently joined the “CINN Gives Back” program, and Dr. Cerullo indicated he may be suffering from a degenerative disc.

Besides Dr. Cerullo, several CINN physicians and medical specialists have volunteered their time for the “CINN Gives Back” program.

Edward Mkrdichian, M.D., CINN neurosurgeon, who escaped from Iraq in 1971 and fled to the U.S., says the U.S. military has controlled the unrest and delivered peace to Iraq.

“I greatly appreciate what these servicemen have done for my family members and friends who still live in Iraq,” he says. “I am honored to return the favor by providing them with medical help.”

“Historically, the maximum ideal carry weight has been considered to be a third of your body weight, and most of these men and women are carrying 60 to 70 pounds on their back, which is way more than their backs can handle. It’s no wonder they are in pain,” says Gail Rosseau, M.D., CINN neurosurgeon.

“Because of what these men and women have endured, many members of our staff — from physical therapists to neurosurgeons and physiatrists – are joining forces to help our military personnel. It’s the least we can do.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment in the “CINN Gives Back” plan, please call 800-441-2466. or go to http://cinn.org/cinn-gives-back/

Throw out your pack, help your back

Complimentary Back Pain Brochure and Smoking Tips Offered by CINN during Great American Smokeout Week

Chicago, November 5, 2008

Smoking cigarettes not only contributes to lung cancer and emphysema; it also leads to back pain and spine problems according to recent studies and observations from leading neurosurgeons in Chicago.

Physicians at the Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN), are encouraging Americans to “kick the habit” during the Nov. 20 Great American Smokeout, a national nonsmoking day sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Throughout this month, CINN will offer a complimentary booklet for back pain sufferers with tips for “kicking the habit.” Read more

New state-of-the-art procedure helps reduce future herniations

Brighton, WI, May 8, 2008

Richard Korth, 44, Brighton, who has struggled with a herniated disc for years, is now pain free and looking forward to a future without complications. For a long time Korth endured constant pain in his lower back and referred pain in his legs, which greatly limited his ability to be productive in his exhibit building business. Read more

CINN neurosurgeons comprise top Spine Surgery Program in the State

CINN is proud to announce that the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (NOHC) has been recognized as the number one spine surgery hospital in Illinois by HealthGrades. In addition, the NOHC spine surgery program, which is exclusively comprised of CINN neurosurgeons, is acknowledged as being among the top five percent in the country according to the Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study. The HealthGrades Research analyzed patient outcomes at all of the nation’s hospitals over the past three years. Read more

Neurosurgeons at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch using new mesh-like device to make spine surgery safer

Chicago — May 22, 2007 — Neurosurgeons at the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch are the first in the Chicago area to use a new device that is designed to make neurosurgery safer and prevent additional operations.

Today, thousands of patients suffer from pain in their lower back, frequently radiating into the buttocks and legs due to herniated discs, or rupture in the tissue that surrounds the disc. This causes the soft inner part of the disc to push out and compress the nerve root, causing intense and debilitating pain.

To treat this, neurosurgeons perform a discectomy, which requires they make a small incision in the outer layer of the disc, called the annulus fibrosus. Then, the surgeon removes the portion of the disc that is applying pressure to the nerves.

However, according to neurosurgeon Dean Karahalios, MD, of CINN, the disc could re-herniate through this opening or defect in the annulus fibrosus, resulting in relapsing pain and additional surgery. Statistics show that approximately 10% or more of patients have reherniation following a lumbar disectomy and many of these patients require a re-operation.

To help address this problem Dr. Karahalios and his colleagues are using a new approach called Anular Disc Repair. After removing the offending portion of the disc, Dr. Karahalios implants a barrier to facilitate the healing process of the anulus fibrosus. The barrier is an umbrella-like mesh implant made of polyethylene that is inserted through the defect and opened up to act like a seal against the disc material that might otherwise push through after the surgery.

“This procedure provides a unique new method for re-enforcing the anulus fibrosis following a discectomy procedure,” said Dr. Karahalios. “Previously, we did not have a reliable method of closing the anulus of the disc and when it is not repaired, the material inside may re-extrude, compress the nerve root, and result in recurrent pain and re-operation”

According to Dr. Karahalios, the procedure adds minimal time to the overall procedure and is easily completed. Patients are usually walking the same day and commonly begin physical therapy and exercise within 10 days to two weeks.

As in most cases of spine-related pain, surgery is considered only after conservative methods such as medication or physical therapy, are ineffective.

For more information call 1-800-446-1234.