First
Artificial Disc Replacement Patient Education Site
Debuts
ADRSupport.org
Delivers Hard-to-Find Medical Information on Artificial
Discs and First-Hand Insights From Pre- and Post-Operative
Patients to Help Back-Pain Sufferers Contend With
Critical Medical, Technical and Personal Challenges
WOBURN,
MA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 12/16/2004 -- Recent
FDA approval of the Charité artificial disc from Johnson & Johnson's
Depuy Spine may be good news for back pain sufferers,
but many patients unfamiliar with artificial discs need
more information on this life-like device. To meet this
need, a new educational web site devoted exclusively
to artificial disc replacement (ADR) recently opened
its doors to help patients come to grips with the complexities
of this new technology.
The
informational site is the work of ADRSupport.org,
an organization founded by Internet marketing executive
Richard Longland, 43, who had a successful ADR with
the Charité disc in June of 2004. Recognizing the
complex challenges that he faced, and lack of authoritative
information on the subject, Longland launched the
site with its "five levels of decision support" and
support from practicing physicians to help untangle
the medical, technological and personal issues which
patients confront when considering ADR.
Since
its launch, the site has welcomed visitors from more
than 15 countries within the Americas, Europe and
Asia. Its lively Discussion Board offers first-hand
information on ADR from pre- and post-operative ADR
patients, who share hard-to-find information on arthroplasty,
spinal diagnostic procedures, doctors, medication,
and technology developments. "ADRSupport.org helped
me learn about a procedure that was rarely publicized
by doctors and hospitals," noted Jason Burns, a 24-year-old,
whose quality of life was improved following ADR. "The
website contains links which I found extremely helpful
when researching this procedure, and just as important,
knowledgeable members with whom I continue to share
insights."
In
addition, exclusive papers are found on the site,
broadening the body of knowledge available to ADR
patients and medical communities. "I am happy to
offer the first technical paper to ADRSupport," said
Dr. John Regan, the Director of the Cedars-Sinai
Institute for Spinal Disorders and acknowledged
expert in the ADR field "Patient education is a
critical component of our patient care program,
and it's an especially important part of a patient's
recovery. Over the last few years, I've seen patients
in my office with an increasing understanding of
their spinal problems and corrective options; primarily
due to the research they've done on the Internet.
These Internet forums, such as the one on http://www.adrsupport.org/,
allow back pain sufferers to share their real-world
experiences. This can be of great benefit to the
patients as well as their doctors and I am happy
to help such a worthy cause."
The
new paper, titled "Lumbar Total Disc Replacement:
Charité Artificial Disc" provides technical insights
into the disc replacement procedure and is geared
towards very well-informed patients considering
artificial disc replacement, as well as medical
professionals new to ADR. On January 9th, Dr.
Regan will be speaking in Los Angeles, California
to an audience of patients and medical professionals.
To attend Dr. Regan's seminar on January 9, 2005,
see: http://www.globalpatientnetwork.com/events.
For more information on ADRSupport.org, contact info@adrsupport.org or
visit http://www.adrsupport.org/.
Contact:
ADRSupport.org
info@adrsupport.org
http://www.adrsupport.org/.
SOURCE: ADRSupport.org
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