Dr. Besser,  I often enjoy watching and learning about the latest in medical technology on GMA.  (Unfortunately, since he leaves so early for work, my husband misses your reports in the morning and is only able to catch the health reports featured on the evening news.  Nevertheless, we are somewhat surprised that we have never seen anything about artificial discs for the spine.  So many people suffer from back pain that can last for years with little or no hope for relief.  My husband was one of those who suffered on and off for many years and who sought out and tried a variety of treatments including antiinflamitories, muscle relaxants, chiropractic treatment, cortisone shots , physical therapy and ultimately electroacupuncture.  Some offered temporary relief; others no relief.  His diagnosis was degenerative disc disease.  His only remaining option was a spinal fusion, which, as explained by the surgeon, could possibly lead to additional fusions down the road.  He was determined not to have the fusion surgery and began to do more research on the internet.  He found hope at  with artificial disc replacement surgery.  We found that the surgery was in FDA trials in the US and had hope that it would soon be approved and he would be a candidate.  He was evaluated by a doctor at a hospital in Baltimore and determined to be a candidate for the procedure.  Unfortunately the problem disc was at L-3/L-4 and this did not meet the criteria of the trial and would not likely be included in the approved usage.  Nevertheless we continued to see the surgeons and continued researching the surgery and reading the reports about the FDA trials.  Meanwhile his pain continued to increase and he became increasingly immobile.  We finally made the difficult decision to seek treatment elsewhere.....specifically in Germany, where the procedure had been pioneered and had been done successfully for almost 20 years.  Never having been abroad, this was scary, to say the least.  At that time Stenum Hospital had enough US patients that they were able to host an "American week" once a month.  With up to 20 US paitents coming at the same time, there was a comraderie that developed with everyone sharing their own stories of how they had struggled with their back pain and finally found their way to this little orthopeadic hospital in the German countryside.  We became like one big family.  The course of treatment was typically an initial evaluation, pre-op tests and prep, surgery, one week (or whatever time was needed) in the hospital, then a final week in a hotel where the patients could get out and move around before their flight home.   During all of this, each patient was carefully monitored and supplied with whatever pain medications necessary to make them comfortable during their recovery.  The variety of ages and circumstances of the group was amazing!  From a young active 17 year old  boy to an 85 year old; woman a strapping 34 year old young man who was told by doctors in the US that there was nothing that could be done except "pain ,management" (medication) for the rest of his life; a 48 year old man who had a 3 level disc replacement.   Four years ago, my husband could barely move.  His surgery was Nov 4, 2004.   He went cross country skiing for the first time that February.  He is now 61 and, although he still experiences the occassional aches and stiffness that comes with aging, he does whatever he wants without worry and has not experienced any more back pain.  He has his life back and will be forever thankful to the surgeons in Germany.  By the way, the fellow who had the 3 level surgery is also doing great!  Wish more people could know about the hope that waits for them across the ocean.