Mary’s Spinal Fusion Success Story

“I neglect I even had surgical procedure; I really feel so regular.”

That is Mary Miller. Six years out from her spinal fusion surgical procedure at UVA Well being, she says she couldn’t be happier together with her alternative. “I’m nonetheless pain-free, and I can do any exercise I would like,” she shares. “I neglect I even had surgical procedure; I really feel so regular.”

Mary had suffered from a herniated disc, a painful backbone situation. She confronted the identical tough choice many individuals face: Ought to she have backbone surgical procedure? And the place ought to she go for care?

When Surgical procedure Makes Sense

Mary needed to do one thing. A nurse for UVA Continuum Residence Well being, ache made caring for her sufferers tough. She had to surrender yoga, which she cherished. The day by day ache left her feeling depressed.

Nonetheless, Mary nervous in regards to the restoration time after surgical procedure. Fortunately, her backbone surgeon, Chun-Po Yen, MD, used a minimally invasive method. This helped Mary recuperate quicker with much less ache. She was in a position to get again to her regular life before she anticipated.

Have Again Ache? Mary’s Recommendation

Mary shares her recommendation for others contemplating backbone surgical procedure: “Don’t surrender and don’t wait,” she says. “I assumed surgical procedure wasn’t price it and I lived with ache for years. However the know-how and experience is so superior. I received nice care at UVA Well being all through my complete expertise.”

Learn this put up Mary shared in 2019 about her spinal fusion at UVA Well being.

Someday in 2007, my again began aching for no obvious motive. Inside 24 hours I had capturing, searing ache down my proper leg. My major care physician mentioned I almost definitely had a herniated disc and would want surgical procedure. However I used to be afraid there is likely to be problems, or the surgical procedure wouldn’t repair my again ache. I made a decision to robust it out. The ache finally received higher however by no means actually went away. I continued to have numbness in my leg and foot.

In 2014, I had one other huge episode and once more in 2017. The final time, the ache was fixed and there was nothing I might do to make it higher, together with ache drugs. I used to be on the level the place I couldn’t bend over and decide issues up off the ground. I couldn’t get garments out of the dryer.

As a Continuum liaison nurse, I used to be making an attempt exhausting to not let my sufferers realize it damage after I was leaning over to look after them. I cherished yoga, however typically it damage so badly I couldn’t stand up off the ground. It damage to show over in mattress, and getting up within the morning was torture. I take into account myself a reasonably constructive particular person, however the continual ache was making me very depressed.

Over time, I attempted bodily remedy, neurostimulation, and finally, a chiropractor. Sadly, that made the ache worse. My chiropractor felt I wanted additional imaging and ordered an MRI. After seeing that the imaging confirmed I had a big herniation, she advised I see a backbone specialist.

Getting Help From UVA Backbone Middle

From the second I contacted Nicole Gibson, senior medical workplace coordinator, each single particular person I encountered was pleasant and aware of my distinctive wants and difficult work schedule.

Nicole promptly responded to all my telephone calls and MyChart messages. She even scheduled the wanted exams and appointments round my work hours.

Nicole additionally made certain all of this could possibly be accomplished in calendar 12 months 2017, as I requested, as a consequence of adjustments coming to my insurance coverage in 2018.

I expressed to neurosurgeon Chun-Po Yen, MD, my need to get again to work as shortly as attainable, and he advised a modified, minimally invasive strategy to my L5/S1 fusion surgical procedure. This was out of the norm and tougher for him however significantly decreased my restoration time.

This allowed me to return to work quicker than most sufferers who obtain a spinal fusion with a spacer. A spacer is a overseas object a surgeon locations to carry the vertebrae aside so the nerves will not be compressed by the ruptured disc.

Lara Myers, NP, taught me what to anticipate throughout and after my surgical procedure. It was very reassuring realizing I might attain out to her at any time.

My Uneventful Surgical procedure Journey

Each encounter in preparation for my surgical procedure was clean and thorough, and I felt assured main as much as my December 1, 2017 operation. On the day of surgical procedure, the workers was informative and guarded my confidentiality. I additionally felt they had been genuinely involved for what I used to be going by. My husband was pleasantly stunned at how typically the workers up to date him on my standing all through the day.

I awoke on 6 West, and so they handled me like a queen. I used to be so impressed with the brand new mattress and its fancy USB port and the consolation measures, like an eye fixed shade and headset.

My ache was managed very effectively — the nurses knew higher than I tips on how to keep away from extreme post-op ache. They walked me by each facet of my hospital restoration and checked on me continuously. I hardly ever had to make use of the decision bell. I additionally actually appreciated the assistance I obtained from occupational therapist Erica Umback and bodily therapist Chad Aldridge, who taught me tips on how to do my day by day actions and stretches with out additional injuring my backbone. Even the meals was good and sizzling!

Again to Life & Ache Free

I returned to work on December 26, 2017. Now I really feel like a brand new particular person! I not have a limp and might train and transfer. I’m lastly having fun with life once more! I’ve gotten again to all of the issues I had given up for the final couple years, like working within the backyard and lifting heavy issues. Typically I even neglect I had a nasty again.

If I discuss to somebody who’s experiencing continual again ache, I inform them to go see Dr. Yen on the UVA Backbone Middle. I additionally inform them to not be afraid, like I used to be. The nurses, docs, and full UVA group actually cares in regards to the affected person’s expertise. They’ll do all the pieces attainable to satisfy their each want.