Age: 66
Hometown: Alexandria, IN
Surgeon: Central Indiana Orthopedics, Anderson, IN
Procedure: eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®)
Surgery Date: December 9, 2013
Life Prior to Surgery: Mike struggled with back pain since the 1980’s. Despite two previous back surgeries, Mike had very little stamina – he could barely walk a block without needing to stop and rest. After retiring in 2009, Mike became addicted to his pain medication, which caused him turmoil with his family.
“If you don’t have back pain, you don’t know what it can do to you – it’s very depressing,” Mike recalls.
Eventually, Mike sought a consultation with a spine surgeon. She recommended the minimally disruptive XLIF procedure.
Situation Today: Mike underwent XLIF surgery in December 2013. He stayed in the hospital for less than one week and then was transferred to a rehabilitation center. After two days in rehabilitation, Mike was doing so well that he did not need physical therapy anymore and was released.
Today, Mike is in “zero pain,” walking with ease, and drug-free! For postoperative treatment, he works out at his local YMCA. Since his surgery, Mike enjoys embarking on cross-country trips with his family, working on his truck, and spending time with his granddaughter.
“It was sort of a resurrection in a way – my surgeon gave me my life back. I want to be able to help others through this,” Mike says.
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