Age: 70
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Surgeon: San Diego Orthopaedic Associates, San Diego, CA
Procedures: eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®) and MAS® TLIF
Surgery Dates: July 6, 2011 and February 5, 2014
Life Prior to Surgery: Julie struggled with lower back instability and pain for about 15 years. She enjoyed traveling, knitting,making jewelry, cooking, gardening, and volunteering, but back pain often interfered with her life. Julie could not stand up straight, bend over, or work in her garden.
Julie was forced to walk with a cane and had given up driving because she was afraid her legs would go numb. She tried everything to relieve the pain, including physical therapy and steroid injections. Julie underwent a cervical spine procedure in 2012, but it failed to provide permanent pain relief. Julie was eventually referred to her surgeon who recommended the minimally disruptive XLIF procedure.
Situation Today: Julie underwent XLIF surgery in July 2011. She stayed in the hospital overnight and was walking the next day. One week post-op, Julie flew out of state to care for a friend as a long life promise to be there when she passed away. Julie wore a brace, had people help carry her luggage, and spent the next week at her friend’s bedside. Julie notes that recovery from this surgery was far easier than the open surgery in 2009. Within three months, she was planning her next international adventure!
As soon as she could stop wearing her back brace, Julie was back to her daily routine. She did not enroll in physical therapy because she left for a trip to Russia soon after her surgery. Julie is back to her hobbies and is now delivering meals for Meals on Wheels. Julie just returned home from another five week trip and says that she’s about 90% back to normal.
Julie stretches every morning and she’s back to the point where she feels like she can do just about anything she wants physically! SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and playing in the ocean are just a handful of activities she loves. Julie is excited to be a Patient Ambassador with The Better Way Back program and is very happy with her results!“
There is no comparison between XLIF surgery and a traditional fusion,” Julie says. “I am once again able to travel off the beaten paths of this world and I have my life back!”
14-NUVA-1783