June 2022, I garnered the comfort to consult with an expert regarding my ongoing and worsening lower back issues. At 50 I still desired to maintain an active lifestyle as I had my entire life, however, my condition was impeding my desired lifestyle.
I made an appointment with SpineCare Arizona and met Dr. Maxwell and his Assistant, Robert. This would be a meeting that changed the trajectory of my future in a most promising and rewarding way. My symptoms leading up to this first meeting were, excessive lower back pain and discomfort, continuous right side sciatic nerve pain, right side leg cramps, lower back spasms and stiffening.
The onset of a flare up would be something as simple as getting into my car and driving for 10 minutes or more. I constantly had to move to keep from being in extreme pain, no sitting for a lengthy period of time, no standing for a lengthy period of time, no laying for a lengthy period of time, all of which disrupted every aspect of my life. My control mechanisms were ice, stem, pain medication, stretching and exercise, all of which only provided temporary relief. I was ready for relief, but I wasn't sure how to achieve it.
After my meeting with SpineCare Arizona, the thoroughness of that consult, the conversation and questions answered, I felt assured and ready, and so I set a date for an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF). August 8th, 2022, I went in for surgery which took a few hours, and a ¾ inch titanium disc was inserted between my L5 and S1. After surgery, that evening, I walked the hallways of the hospital as instructed by Dr. Maxwell to help ignite the healing process. I didn't look back! The recovery process over the next several weeks presented its challenges, though I had very few limitations and was able to tend to myself within 2 days of surgery.
I've since recovered 100% and my life has drastically improved. If I knew what I know now, 4 years ago when my back issues became a focal point in my life, I would have gotten this surgery done by this office without second guessing. Robert was the point man for me and though I had spoken with other Physician's in the past about my back concerns, he addressed my concerns head on, with honesty, with information, with statistics, with data and he reassured my doubts. Not only that, he also championed my progress. He and Dr. Maxwell are truly miracle workers, and I am grateful I came to know of them and their office. read more