Age: 69
Hometown: Yorba Linda, CA
Surgeon: UC Irvine Medical Center, Orange, CA
Procedures: eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®) and Posterior Instrumentation (PLIF)
Surgery Dates: March 26, 2013 (XLIF) and March 27, 2013 (PLIF)
Life Prior to Surgery: John had suffered with back pain since he was 25 years old. He was injured lifting heavy material at work, but doctors told him he was too young to have back surgery. John attempted to alleviate the pain with chiropractic treatments and steroid injections,but he was unable to manage it.
In 2000, John was forced to retire early because he could not work more than four hours without having to lie down. He underwent his first back surgery in 2002. When John left the surgeon’s office, he was told he would eventually need to undergo another back procedure. In 2009, John underwent a second back surgery. Once again, he was informed that he would someday need more surgery.
John yearned for his third procedure to be a permanent fix and consulted with another spine surgeon. Due to the complex nature of his condition, his surgeon recommended two spinal fusion procedures – the minimally disruptive XLIF procedure and a PLIF procedure.
Situation Today: John underwent XLIF and PLIF surgeries in March 2013. He spent five nights in the hospital before he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility.
John was readmitted to the hospital due to a heart condition. After four days of being hospitalized, he was released and returned home to complete his recovery.
For postoperative treatment, John simply walked. “I know walking is the best thing for my back and my dog sure loves it too!” John says.