For years, I have heard horror stories about failed spinal fusions and how some patients were never able to walk again after the procedure, so I was very hesitant to agree to any type of spinal surgery. However, I had cervical fusion, performed by Dr. Jeffrey Carlson several years ago, which was a total success and with no complications or symptoms since that time.
After spinal x-rays and a subsequent MRI confirmed significant narrowing of the lower spinal canal which was causing significant pain and weakness, Dr. Carlson recommended L3-5 lumbar fusion. He and his office staff fully explained the procedure as well as what to expect in the postoperative recovery period as well as possible complications. His staff, especially Trish, his scheduler, provided very clear written instructions and expectations for how long recovery might take. She made all the arrangements in advance for post-op visits by home health care and initial physical therapy and provided the necessary back brace and walker, even before the surgery, so it would be available as soon as I left the surgical center. They did not “sugar coat” the postop pain but assured me that it would be manageable (which it was, with minimal need for more than Tylenol after the first few days).
If anyone had told me that I would be walking a mile or more each day and able to drive after two weeks, I would not have believed them. I hope anyone who is contemplating this type of surgery will not hesitate to make an appointment with Dr. Carlson, as his excellent skills have put me on the road to recovery months before I thought it was possible.
Name withheld at Patient request
My right shoulder was gone and giving me a LOT of pain. After having Physical Therapy, the Doctor at OSC took a MRI of my shoulder. After reviewing the outcome of the MRI, my questions were – how do we fix this and how soon? I did not want to wait, putting off surgery would only make me older. I’m 73 and not getting any younger. That’s when the OSC staff took over and booked the surgery at the hospital. A few weeks later, Dr. Martin Coleman did a total reverse shoulder replacement.
After five weeks of Physical Therapy, I was able to swim two laps at the Recreational Center in Williamsburg. I could not swim two strokes before the surgery. Dr. Coleman advised me to do the therapy right after the surgery and follow all the advice of my physical therapist.
Pain was only a issue for two days after surgery. I stopped taking Percocet after two days and just used OTC meds after that. I’m not saying that I had no pain, but it was not that bad. You will have some pain with the Physical Therapy. That will also lessen everyday you do the exercises. My advice is, don’t put surgery off if you are a little on the older side.
The staff and Doctors at OSC are top shelf. Now, MANY THANKS to Dr. Martin Coleman for doing such a GREAT job on my shoulder. I’m sleeping better, working a little in my yard, and living life large. What could be better?
Lawrence Meyers
My name is Tyler Oaks. I’m a Junior at Eastern Mennonite University and I play on the Men’s Volleyball Team.
I want to share my story about shoulder surgery with Dr. Martin Coleman to help other young people, especially athletes, who may have an injury and are facing a period of uncertainty while they recover.
I was fortunate and had never been injured previously. But in my freshman year at college, my shoulder began hurting and it was affecting my volleyball. It hurt bad enough that I told my mom. Luckily, she works for Orthopaedic and Spine Center in Newport News, VA and she quickly got me in to see Dr. Martin Coleman, an Orthopaedic Shoulder Specialist with the practice. After x-rays, and exam and an MRI, Dr. Coleman diagnosed me with a SLAP tear and tear of the rotator cuff in my right shoulder, which would need surgery to repair. I had surgery in December of 2020.
Recovery took a very long time. I was out freshman year into sophomore year season of volleyball. To be honest, I developed a mild depression during those months of not using my shoulder and then months of stretches and Physical Therapy, wondering if I would ever come back enough to play volleyball again. But I did exactly what Dr. Coleman told me to do, I didn’t drive until he told me I could, and my mom said that you could set your clock by me doing my stretches every day, I was so faithful. I also worked closely with Dr. Jamie Swale, DPT at the OSC Physical Therapy Clinic for six months. She helped keep me motivated, emailed me exercises during COVID-19 when I couldn’t work with my trainers at school and pushed me when I wanted to stop. The communication was always there of what I should be doing and shouldn’t be doing between Dr. Coleman, Dr. Swale, and myself. After about six months, I got to go to volleyball practice, but was very limited in what I could do. Dr. Coleman did not want me to retear his great surgical work!
After a year of recovery, I am back on the court, playing, feeling brand new and my shoulder barely hurts at all. If I had to give any piece of advice to someone who is going through the same situation as I was, keep fighting and don’t give up; it’s about the end result, not always about what is happening right now. Don’t give up!
Tyler Oaks
I had an MRI on my back in 2019. It showed I had some problems and I felt I would likely need back surgery at some future date. I met with Dr. Jeffrey Carlson in early 2020 to see if it was time for back surgery. At that time, I was having more pain in my knee than in the back. He recommended a hip replacement. That turned out to be good advice and Dr. Boyd Haynes did a very successful hip surgery.
On July 4, 2021, I developed severe pain in my back and the back of my legs. I met with Dr. Carlson again and it was time for a Lumbar fusion. He told me 2 weeks after surgery, I would be feeling pretty good. In two months, I would be in good shape.
Things turned out just as Dr. Carlson had predicted. The pain in the back of my legs was gone just after surgery. I am completely satisfied with the outcome of my surgery and consider myself blessed to be feeling so well. My back and legs are pain free.
I awoke one morning in May of 2021 with a pain in my shoulder blade which progressed that day to agonizing pain through my shoulder and down my arm. The fingers on my hand were numb and I also had weakness. X-Rays and an MRI showed bulging and compressed C-5 through C-7 disks complicated further by arthritis. Dr. Jeffrey Carlson patiently explained the problem and recommended cervical spinal fusion. The operation was performed at Mary Immaculate in June 2021 and was flawless. The staff at MI was wonderful and very professional. The pain and numbness was relieved immediately and five months later the weakness is nearly gone. I had one day of physical therapy as my recovery was so complete I didn’t need further visits. I am convinced I received the best care available in the world with Dr. Carlson’s min-invasive procedure and with the staff at MI. All I can offer is a humble “Thank You!”
Keith Johnson
It started with shoulder pain, that I could not put my finger on, in April. A cortisone shot in shoulder, no relief. An MRI of my shoulder showed nothing, then the pain disappeared but I could not lift my left arm. Four weeks of physical therapy, was no help. Then, an MRI of my neck showed bulging discs in my neck and I was told only surgery could fix the problem.
I researched for the best spine surgeon and found Dr. Jeffrey Carlson. I had cervical diskectomy on C-4 thru C-7, in August 2021 and have followed his direction and Physical Therapy. I am gaining strength in my arm daily and could not be happier with the results. The experience with Dr. Carlson and his staff was very good and would recommend them completely. I Never had pain after surgery, just a mighty sore throat.
Linda Benson
After my knee surgery, I started having lower back pain ,which I have experienced in the past. So, again I went to see Dr. Snyder, still in 2013 , and after x-rays and an MRI, it was determined I had Spinal Stenosis, Spondylosis and Sciatica. I have had pinched nerve pain, but it was many years before this diagnosis. I didn’t want to go thru back surgery unless I had to, so my next step was to see Dr. Jenny Andrus to receive Epidurals on each side of my spine in the L-3 and L-4 area.
I went thru these Epidurals two or three times a year, until 2021, when the Epidurals no longer provided the pain relief I needed . Dr. Andrus is a very caring and excellent doctor. I would definitely recommend OSC and any of the doctors I saw during my eight year journey. I now consider OSC my one stop shop for joint pain. Ben Poter
While playing golf, I noticed a recurring pain in my shoulder. It became more and more agonizing. I decided to see Dr. Martin Coleman and he ordered an MRI scan, where he found my already repaired right shoulder joint was deteriorated from arthritis . He informed me that the joint would would need a replacement. On March 9, I had the surgery.
It is now three months later and I have not had any pain since the 2nd day after surgery. I have strengthened the joint, now swing a golf club, and I’m cutting the grass around my bee hives. If you are hesitant about surgery, with Dr. Coleman, his staff and with physical therapy, you could have the same results. Please remember you are responsible to follow the Dr.’s directives and the prescribed physical therapy.
Clarence Meadows
BEST PAIN MANAGEMENT PHYSICIAN- 5 STARS!
I have suffered with nagging pain issues for 13 years & seen nearly every physician who handles pain from Va. Beach to Richmond. Treatments that I have tried are listed on a page of loose leaf paper, front & back, to include many treatments outside of insurance. I received temporary relief from many, but nothing lasted. Thousand of dollars later and endless hours, I was ready to give up.
I am so thankful to Dr. Raj Sureja for changing my life and quickly. We are blessed to have this competent physician in the area. What makes him different? He is a highly intelligent physician who excels at listening, making an accurate diagnosis, ordering the proper imaging & builds a solid plan for treatment.
Dr. Sureja predicted my diagnosis in under 2 minutes and it was later confirmed through an MRI. He understood me when I told him I’d been through everything, did not want any type of pill, and needed something different. Pain does not always generate from where one feels it. All others wanted to inject where I hurt and I never got any lasting relief.
Dr. Sureja runs on time, is thorough and extremely organized. His office is among the most well run I’ve ever experienced. I have been in the medical field for 2 decades, in addition to being a patient at many practices. When he orders imaging, it’s seen through on the spot. Before you walk out the door, an insurance authorization has been obtained, imaging scheduled & a follow-up appointment made. You don’t get a call weeks later or have to call to see if your paperwork has been lost somehow.
Look no further, he is simply THE BEST!
Jen P
Dr. Boyd Haynes first treated me in 2012 for a torn meniscus; an injury that drastically affected my lifestyle and daily schedule. Dr. Haynes diagnosed the injury and explained the nature and severity of the tear, then recommended a course of action for performing a procedure to repair the tear. But then Dr. Haynes did something I was not ready for, something I had not previously experienced from a physician or surgeon…he asked me what I thought was best for me…how did I want to proceed? That might not seem like a big deal, but to me it meant the difference between a physician who treats an injury and a physician who treats a person…an individual.
Since that time, Dr. Haynes has treated me multiple times for other sports-related injuries and performed surgeries and procedures using the same professional AND personal approach. I always find that the staff at OSC is professional, prompt, and thorough in their processing of my visits. I typically take advantage of the new Check-In kiosk which provides me with the option to avoid the normal check-in line, and I believe results in a more efficient check-in process. Thinking back to the numerous times I have visited the OSC complex, whether it be the main physicians’ complex or the MRI facility, I have never had to wait more than a few minutes before being called back to an examination room, and I cannot remember a visit where I waited more than the same few minutes before being seen by the treating physician or other staff member.
I would like to say that I will never again have reason to be treated for orthopedic injuries or conditions in the future, but I am certain that I will. And because of the wonderful care and treatment I have received over the past many years from Dr. Haynes and the staff at OSC, I will not hesitate to trust them with my well-being.
I would like to personally thank Dr. Haynes for his care for me over the years. I have and will continue to recommend his services to family and friends. I consider him more than my orthopedic physician…I consider him as a friend.
Sincerely,
John L. Henderson
