 John |
Situation:
I woke up one morning and could not move. I was in tremendous pain at the back of my neck. My wife had to dress me and carry me to the doctor's office, where I was treated for pain. I went straight to NJ Spine and was told I'd need surgery right away. In less than a week, I was on the operating table.
Some of my symptoms included falling down and not being able to get back up, feeling numb from mid-chest to my toes, and not being able to feel a gas pedal or the brakes to be able to drive a car. Walking was difficult. I couldn't write, pick up a dime, or open up a bottle of soda or a big can.
Solution:
I had degenerative arthritis in my neck which was shutting down my spinal canal and crushing my spinal cord. Even though my surgeon told me that he couldn't guarantee the results of the operation, one day after the surgery I was out of my bed, walking. Ninety percent of the numbness was gone. While my fingers still lack the dexterity they had before the procedure, I have gained back 95% use of my hands. I have full mobility in my neck and only some numbness in one knee. I can turn around and use the gas pedal to drive again.
I work full-time now, dispatching 34 technicians for telecom and data issues. I went back to work three weeks after the surgery, first part-time because it was tiring. But I was back to full-time work after the fifth or sixth week.
What Makes NJ Spine Different?
I asked for a second opinion before the operation, and the doctor I consulted said, "these doctors clearly know what they're doing." The people at NJ Spine are great. Everybody asks the right questions and are concerned. There is always a nice hello when I come in.