As a junior in college, I underwent a microdiscectomy at the L4-L5 level in Milwaukee. I remember the doctor joking about needing a new car—but at the time, I had drop foot, and as someone in their early 20s,...read more
When I was diagnosed with severe lumbar spinal stenosis, I felt stuck. Every pain management doctor I consulted told me the same thing: that no treatment would help. It was frustrating and disheartening to hear that nothing could be...read more
I initially consulted Dr. Girardi ten years ago regarding significant cervical disc degeneration, the result of decades of long-distance bicycling. I was able to manage day-to-day activities without pain by following a regimen of physical therapy and targeted exercises....read more
Before I came to visit Dr. Girardi, I couldn’t feel my legs. It was so difficult and dangerous for me to walk! I had tried everything available in my country—epidurals, pain medication, and other conservative measures—but nothing lasted for...read more
Due to living a physical life of exercise, tough mudders and CrossFit, snowboarding, boating, wave runners, scuba diving, and four-wheeling, along with a few accidents, the wear and tear on my back caught up with me. For years...read more
Before going to HSS and seeing spine surgeon Dr. Federico Girardi, I could not sleep more than 2-3 hours at night and could not have a minimum quality of life due to chronic pain and radiculopathy. I had a...read more
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