Age: 64
Hometown: Jacksonville, OR
Surgeon: Southern Oregon Orthopedics, Medford, OR
Procedure: eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®)
Surgery Date: January 26, 2010
Life Prior to Surgery: Laurie had a bad back for most of her life, but didn’t even realize it. Her back always hurt and she just thought that’s how everyone else felt, too. She was always active and probably not as easy going on her back as she could have been, but no one incident caused all of her problems. When Laurie’s sciatic nerve caused even more pain, she went to see her primary care physician. He recommended physical therapy and the physical therapist said she thought something was really wrong and that Laurie needed to see a spine specialist. she was reluctant to have surgery because only a year before she had spent more than a week in the hospital after a surgery for diverticulitis and had a rough time after that, but the pain from her back and sciatic nerve was affecting every aspect of her life – sitting, standing, sleeping. Laurie met a spine surgeon and she instantly liked him. When her surgeon recommended the minimally disruptive XLIF procedure, she decided to have it done.
Situation Today: Laurie underwent XLIF surgery in January 2010. She spent five days in the hospital and then went home to continue her recovery. Now, Laurie feels great. As a graphic artist she always had to plan when she had to be on her feet for projects around the pain, but now she can work all day without ever noticing a problem! She has resumed her favorite activities and the first time she went golfing after the surgery she was able to play 18 holes one day and 18 holes the next day. Laurie looks forward to golfing for many years to come.
14-NUVA-1053