Diane’s Lumbar Fusion Patient Story
I am a “frequent flier” at HSS. My journey began with a total knee replacement in 2009.
In the spring of 2017, totally out of the blue, I awoke one morning with complete foot drop. I was unable to move my right foot at all, and I also had significant back pain. This was devastating because it meant I could no longer participate in many of the outdoor activities I loved, including hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
After several months of conservative treatment with physical therapy and only minimal improvement, I contacted my knee surgeon at HSS for a recommendation for a spine surgeon. He recommended Dr. Federico Girardi.
Dr. Girardi reviewed my MRI and physical findings with me in great detail. He explained that extensive degenerative disease in my spine, of which I was previously unaware, had led to compression of the nerves at L5-S1 on the right side. He explained that this was not going to improve on its own. In fact, it was likely to get worse over time and could eventually affect both feet.
He explained that a fusion would not only prevent further compression of the spine at this level, but would also release the compression on the nerves. He fully expected that I would eventually regain significant function in my foot. He also explained the surgical process in great detail, what I could expect post-operatively, and the strict 12-week recovery process.
To my amazement and delight, within 48 hours of surgery, I was able to move my foot again. With diligent adherence to the physical therapy regimen, which I follow to this day, I have fully regained the use of my right foot and have a greatly reduced level of back pain. I can now fully participate in all the activities I previously loved.
The story does not end there.
In 2024, I slipped and fell down a flight of stairs in my home. Luckily, I did not break anything or damage the total shoulder replacement I had at HSS in 2018. However, the fall left me with intractable shoulder and neck pain, spasms, numbness, and tingling in both hands.
After several months of conservative treatment with physical therapy, massage, and dry needling, my symptoms had improved only minimally. So, back to Dr. Girardi I went.
After reviewing my MRI, he noted that the discs throughout my neck were essentially gone, and that C3-C6, while “bone on bone,” were also dangerously unstable. A fusion of these levels was needed.
As an avid birder, I spend several hours a day in the field looking up into the trees through my binoculars and camera. I was heartsick at the thought that I might not be able to look up if my neck was fused. Dr. Girardi assured me that my neck mobility was already so compromised in that area that I would not notice any reduction in range of motion after surgery. He also explained that, with the reduction in muscle spasms, I might actually gain range of motion.
Once again, he was right. I now have more flexibility in my neck than I did before surgery, and with the reduction in nerve compression, I can hold my arms, binoculars, and camera up for much longer than I could before.
Although the recovery was not quite as grueling as the lumbar spine surgery, the eight-week recovery was still demanding.
Dr. Girardi takes a holistic approach to patient care. Surgery is not a “cure-all,” and the process does not end there. He has always stressed that spine surgery recovery is a lifelong process. The key to success is diligent adherence to an exercise plan that strengthens and stabilizes the spine, as well as a commitment to proper body mechanics.
I cannot imagine where my life would be had it not been for Dr. Girardi.
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