Procedure: L2-L5 spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis
I am a female in my mid-40's, a wife and mother to 4 children, and I am an RN who has worked in the ICU environment. I've remained extremely active throughout my life with running, weightlifting, cycling, and volleyball. Some of that "fun" has caught up with me over the past decade, and I have had 4 knee surgeries, a hip surgery, and a shoulder surgery -- all from overuse or incidents while participating in these activities. I joke that I have been a "professional orthopedic patient". So, I have become very familiar with the orthopedic realm, and have been a patient to 5 different orthopedic surgeons, choosing surgeons whose specialties pertain to my ailment.
Earlier this year, when it became apparent that I was in need of a spinal fusion for spondylolisthesis, I felt a great degree of anxiety. The prospect of back surgery was scary. I did my due diligence and saw 1 physical medicine doctor, 2 neurosurgeons and 3 orthopedic surgeons. The consensus was that spinal fusion was the only remedy for my intense pain. Each surgeon walked me through my diagnosis and how he would approach surgery.
Dr. Spann came highly recommended by a friend who works in the Austin medical industry. I was impressed by Dr. Spann's resume, especially by the fact that he has been in his field for over 30 years -- and that Dr. Spann has been a spinal fusion patient himself. That really stood out to me and gave me a great deal of comfort, knowing that he is able to empathize with his patients in a unique way.
During my initial appointment, I had many questions. Dr. Spann spent close to an hour with me. I had another long appointment with him before deciding to have him perform my surgery. Because I met with 4 other surgeons, I could draw comparisons. Dr. Spann was the most thorough in his explanations of my condition and how he would approach my surgery. He painted a detailed picture of what I could expect soon after surgery as well as further down the road. Knowledge is power, and I felt very equipped to face the road to recovery. Dr. Spann was the only surgeon I met with who pointed out certain areas of concern on my X-rays and MRI. His expertise seemed head and shoulders above the other surgeons I met with. He expressed confidence that he could address my complex case, and that I should expect to experience relief from my pain. I realized that it boiled down to me going with my "gut", and I felt a great deal of peace once I decided to have Dr. Spann perform my surgery.
Days before my surgery, the rep who delivered my bone growth stimulator commented that I was in good hands, and she remarked that other doctors go to Dr. Spann for their own surgeries. That says a lot!
The initial recovery was the toughest I've faced compared to any other surgery I've had, but I had been adequately prepared by Dr. Spann, so I was able to withstand it. Days after surgery, it was clear that all of my horrible pre-op pain was GONE. It was unbelievable, and at about the 2-week mark, I was feeling great.
I have a long road of PT and recovery ahead of me, but I couldn't be more pleased with my outcome. I am 7 weeks post-op, and walking about 5 miles a day. Prior to surgery, I couldn't walk more than 100 yards or stand for more than 5 minutes without searing pain. When I saw Dr. Spann last week for a follow-up appointment, he asked how I was doing, and I said, "exceptionally well". It feels almost too good to be true. I am so thankful!
If you are considering spine surgery or are facing other challenging orthopedic issues, it is always helpful to get a 2nd opinion... and sometimes a 3rd or 4th or 5th, as in my case... until you find someone who is a good fit for your situation. I say that from lots of experience! I am so glad that I came across Dr. Spann. My quality of life has dramatically changed for the better. I highly recommend him. read more
