Christine’s Posterior Spinal Fusion Patient Story

Posted on: May 4th, 2026 by Our Team

In October 2024, I started to experience lower back pain. The pain became progressively worse to the point where it became debilitating. I finally went for an X-ray and MRI, which confirmed that my L4 was completely out of alignment with the rest of my spine, caused by arthritis and spondylolisthesis. I was in agony.

I went to HSS for a spinal epidural for pain in mid-January, which did not help much at all. In February, I scheduled a consultation with Dr. Federico Girardi, who came highly recommended. After reviewing my MRI, he told me that I needed spinal fusion surgery from L3 to S1, with new discs. Dr. Girardi operated on me the following Friday, squeezing me into his very busy schedule right before he was supposed to go away. I was very grateful.

My surgery was a great success. I was off pain medications by day 10 and slowly started going for longer walks each day. I am now more than seven months post-op and back to my daily activities, pain-free. I walk for miles each day, do light weight training, and bike ride. I have my life back. God is good, and so are Dr. Girardi and his wonderful PA, Gregory Stein. Thank you, HSS.