Patient Success Stories
Spine Surgery Success Stories | Scoliosis Surgery Success Stories | Non-surgical Treatment
Spine Surgery
Active adult back to jogging after successful spine surgery
Chris enjoys an active lifestyle. In his free time
he enjoys jogging, riding a bike, using
the elliptical trainer and strength training. Chris began
having right leg pain about ten years ago. His symptoms
started out gradual at first. Unfortunately, instead of the
pain going away, he noticed his symptoms worsening. Chris
made an appointment to see his general practitioner.
The physician examined Chris and ordered Xrays.
His physician encouraged him to try conservative care to
help relieve his leg pain symptoms, and Chris did this for
years.
He tried using non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
(NSAIDs) to help relieve pain and inflammation. Chris
also visited a chiropractor for pain relief. He tried epidural
steroid injections to help relieve his symptoms and physical
therapy to help strengthen his core. The years went by and
Chris remained active even with the leg pain. In fact, he
found that walking fast was actually less painful than
slower walking. All of these non-surgical treatments did
offer Chris some temporary pain relief, but his symptoms
would always return. He noticed his leg pain worsening
and moving lower into his leg.
Click here to read more of this patient success story for Dr. Jason Brodkey at Ann Arbor Spine Center in Michigan.
Stenosis doesn't ground this former jet aviator
Bob enjoys his work. As a former Marine Corps aviator, Bob was accustomed to adventure. He learned to love flying fighter jets. So much so, that after a successful second career as a Detroit car executive, he purchased an old Russian jet fighter — a great hobby for his recent retirement from the business world. Unfortunately, while he was looking forward to taking wings in retirement, a bad back had him grounded.
Bob’s back pain soon included serious neurological symptoms such as numbness and radiating pain into a leg. His physical medicine physician successfully relieved his symptoms non-surgically for a few years. But as often happens over time, Bob’s symptoms worsened. Bob eventually had difficulty walking even short distances and now was sidelined from all his favorite activities — hiking, flying his small jet and riding sports bikes. Bob began reading up about back pain, and especially the symptoms of stenosis — low back pain and radiating pain into the buttock and thigh — which were his symptoms. On his next visit, his physician confirmed Bob’s suspicions and referred him to Dr. Jason Brodkey, a board-certified and fellowship-trained spine neurosurgeon at Ann Arbor Spine Center.
Dr. Brodkey reviewed Bob’s existing diagnostic tests and then discussed the results and treatment options with Bob. “Dr. Brodkey was straightforward with me,” Bob remembers. “He discussed my condition, all the possible treatment options, including my surgical options, what relief that may provide, and what recovery would be like for me afterward.” Click here to read the complete story of Bob's recovery.
[Top] Scoliosis Surgery
Hiking in Yosemite after successful scoliosis surgery
 Rossana enjoys walking and
staying physically fit. As a
mother, wife and successful OB/GYN physician she
keeps a busy schedule and doesn’t let much slow
her down.
Diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
as a teenager, Rossana had experienced intermittent
back pain associated with the spinal curve for years.
For the most part, her symptoms were managable
with conservative care like anti-inflammatories,
massage, physical therapy and walking.
In June of 2003, in addition to increased pain
in her left back and hip area, she also had severe
pain in her right pelvis that radiated into her
legs. She made an appointment with her physical
medicine physician, who prescribed some epidural
steroid injections to help relieve the pain symptoms
temporarily. The doctor then referred Rossana to Dr.
Douglas Geiger, a fellowship-trained spine
surgeon at Ann Arbor Spine Center. Click here to read the complete story of Rossana's successful return to activity after surgery for scoliosis. [Top]
Standing two inches taller, Margie is back
to yardwork after surgery for scoliosis
 Margie lives with her husband on 12 wooded acres in beautiful Michigan. She loves taking walks with her 5 year old standard poodle named Gunther, together they are on the lookout for deer, turkeys and an occasional coyote. It is not unusual to catch Margie out cutting the grass during the spring and summer months.
About 10 years ago, Margie began having some back pain, and while mild at first, her pain symptoms progressed. She went to her general practitioner in Chelsea who examined her and ordered X-rays. Margie was diagnosed with degenerative scoliosis in her lumbar spine. Her doctor talked with her about conservative care options for treating her back pain, including anti-inflammatories, massage and walking to remain active. Her doctor also referred her to scoliosis specialist and fellowship-trained spine surgeon, Dr. Douglas Geiger.
Click here to read the complete story of Margie's successful return to activity after surgery for scoliosis.
Non-surgical Treatment
Coming soon.
[Top]
About Us | Spine Center | Neuroscience | Biographies | Privacy Notice | Anatomy Library | Exercise Library | Medical Animations | Prevention | Pain Relief | Symptoms Chart | Educational Resources | How to Lift | For Case Managers | For Physicians | Spine Conditions | Treatment | Contact Us | Sitemap
Disclaimer:
The pictures displayed in www.annarborspinecenter.com are images of actual patients and employees who have consented to have their picture in this website.
|
