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First Cervical Disc Replacement |
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DENVER SURGEON PERFORMS FIRST CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT SURGERY WITH PRODISC-C
ProDisc-C Total Disc Replacement is newest FDA-approved cervical disc.
 January 16, 2008 - Denver surgeon, Michael E. Janssen, D.O., became the first physician in the United States to perform two cervical disc arthroplasties using the latest FDA-approved cervical technology, the ProDisc-C Total Disc Replacement System, to treat patients suffering from cervical disc degeneration and disc herniation, which occurs when natural shock absorbers in the cervical spine become worn and start to degenerate often resulting in pain, discomfort, and impaired cervical mobility creating neck and upper extremity pain.
One of the patients, Matt, an active 35 year old, underwent the procedure under the care of Michael E. Janssen, D.O. of the Center for Spinal Disorders to treat cervical disc degeneration that developed as a result of a traumatic injury Matt suffered in a collision while playing hockey in October of 2006. Initially, Matt dismissed the pain and stiffness, but when he began to experience numbness in his left-hand he sought medical attention. An MRI revealed Matt had a herniated disc that was pressing against his spinal cord. Despite six months of physical therapy, Matt's symptoms worsened and he had a second MRI which showed he was suffering from cervical disc degeneration along with a disc herniation.
"It was clear I wasn't getting better and my doctors agreed surgery was my best hope," said Matt. "As a father of two boys ages eight and six, it was critical that I find a procedure that would give me the best chance to remain active and have the mobility in my neck that I needed."
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From Surgery to a Marathon |
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FROM SURGERY TO A MARATHON: A TRAUMA SURGEON’S STRUGGLE WITH A DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
 An Internationally Acclaimed Spine Surgeon’s Operation on a Fellow Trauma Surgeon Leads to a Full Recovery and Will Culminate in the Completion of the Steamboat Springs Marathon
The remarkable journey of one surgeon’s plight from a debilitating disease to the completion of a marathon with the help of another fellow surgeon, will serve as a testimony to the success of a total disc replacement procedure. Nine short months after surgery on her lumbar spine, Dr. Jennifer Emmett, a surgeon-patient, will be competing in a marathon. Dr. Jennifer Emmett is a female trauma surgeon at Denver Health Medical Center, the largest Level 1 trauma center in the state of Colorado. Dr. Emmett was suffering from severe low back pain, which was detrimentally limiting her career and athletic lifestyle. She was faced with an inability to care for her patients. Dr. Emmett was diagnosed with a degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. She was referred to Dr. Michael Janssen to find a solution to this debilitating disease.
In September 2006, Dr. Janssen, using advanced technology, successfully completed a mechanical total disc replacement on the lumbar spine of Dr. Emmett. After a short, yet full recovery period, this patient-surgeon has been able to return to her medical practice, athletic activities, and is currently training for one of the most competitive marathons in the world. As a culmination to her journey from this disc disease, Dr. Emmett will be competing in the Steamboat Springs Marathon on Sunday, June 3, 2007.
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International Spine Surgery Fellows Welcomed |
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International Spine Surgery Fellows Welcomed
The following release was published in the Physician Update monthly publication, St. Anthony Hospitals, Centura Health, April, 2003.
The Center for Spinal Disorders, PC (CSD) and the Spine Education and Research Institute (SERI) welcome the arrival of two international fellows, Jianwei Xu, MD, and Marcos Schugurensky, MD. The two orthopedic-trained spine surgeons will have the opportunity to study with the local spine surgeons at CSD for approximately six weeks. During their stay, they will be exposed to the latest in surgical technology and patient care for the treatment of spinal disorders.
Dr. Xu already is an accomplished spine surgeon in the largest teaching hospital in Shanghai, China. Upon his return to Shanghai, Dr. Xu will be able to implement these new spinal techniques and technologies to serve his city of more than 15 million people. Interestingly, Dr. Xu's grandfather was the first orthopedic spine surgeon in China.
Dr. Schugurensky completed his orthopedic surgery training in Mendoza, Argentina, and presently is a spine fellow under Bartholome Marre, MD, in Santiago, Chile. Dr. Schugurensky is in Denver as part of an exchange program with the American spine fellow, Mac Sims, MD, who is training with Dr. Marre in Santiago. After completing his spine surgery fellowship this summer, Dr. Schugurensky will return to Mendoza to begin his spine surgery practice.
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