My next step was back surgery, which I dreaded, but it had to be done. I didn’t want to wait too long, in case it caused more damage to my back . I went to see Dr. Jeffrey Carlson for a consultation to check out my options. After talking to Dr. Carlson, it was a go and plans were made for a Lumbar Decompression and Fusion of the L-3 thru L-5.
I felt very comfortable around Dr. Carlson and knew he was the one I wanted for surgery. I looked on the internet for an animated video of my type of surgery, because I didn’t want to see the real thing and this gave me an idea of what was going to be done . It amazes me how a person can do this kind of craft, but I’m glad it can be done.
My surgery was June 1st of this year and on June 2nd, my pinched nerve pain was gone and as of today, I still have no pinched nerve pain . It was an outpatient surgery, which surprised me. A few friends of mine have had back surgery many years ago and they had a hospital stay and had to sit in a straight back chair for many months during their recovery. My recovery wasn’t bad and I took only a few pain pills during my recovery. Now I’m doing yard work and whatever I want to. I still get a mild lower back ache, which I don’t mind and I will sit for a few minutes, then continue with whatever I was doing. I’m more than happy to have occasional mild back ache compared to what I had before my surgery.
If you need back surgery, it can be a scary thing but a consultation is painless and like it did for me it may set your mind at ease. 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
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
I had a lumbar fusion on June 8th of this year, performed by the McFarland team. Every step of the way exceeded my expectations. Dr. Mark McFarland listened to me, answered questions, and explained in a way that made me comfortable with the whole process.
I had a lumbar fusion six years earlier (different hospital and doctor), my leg and foot have bothered me ever since. Don’t get me wrong, that surgery was necessary, and I was much better off after the 1st procedure than before. However, over the six years, the pain and numbness worsened. My primary care doctor talked to me about going back to my previous surgeon. I asked if he could provide another referral, he sent me to Dr. McFarland at OSC and I am very thankful!
I don’t want anyone to think that this surgery is easy. I was very sore for about two weeks (mostly my left leg). However, the numbness in my foot was gone almost right away. Within a few days, I did not need the walker, and a few days after that, I could walk a mile or more. Also, I took no pain medication once I left the hospital (24 hours after the surgery) except for Gabapentin. Within a few weeks, I was finished with that too!
By the Fourth of July, I was pain free and medicine free! Incredible! I even sleep thru the night now, for the first time in about 12 years. It has truly changed my life for the better. I am in my 50’s, and I can’t remember the last time I felt this good.
Thank you, OSC! Every member of your team has helped me in different, but meaningful ways. I am very grateful to have found each of you. Please feel free to share my contact information with any hesitant patients. I would be happy to talk to them about my experience with your team and the procedure.
Sincerely,
Bill LaManque
The OSC has been my Go To place for more than twenty years. This time, it was sciatica and it was very painful. Through the expertise of Dr. Tom Toothaker and Bill Richards PTA, I am now free of this pain and am able to walk normally. Kudos to all the great folks at the OSC Physical Therapy Center!
Paul Sevigny, MSgt, USAF (Ret)
