I injured my neck 30 years ago and lived with pain and numbness in my left arm, hand and neck every day. I went to multiple doctors, to include two other orthopaedic offices, and no one offered any help or relief until I visited Orthopaedic and Spine Center.
My first visit with Dr. Jeffrey Carlson offered me hope, he immediately explained why I had the pain and numbness and explained what my options were. I had cervical spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and an herniated nucleus pulposus.
I opted for cervical epidural injections with Dr. Jenny Andrus initially, as I feared having surgery. Dr. Andrus was wonderful and the injections helped for a while, just as Dr. Carlson explained.
After having the injections over a period of three years, I finally decided to talk with Dr. Carlson about surgery. He explained that, for relief of my diagnosis, I would require a cervical discectomy of my C 4-5 and C 5-6. He took the time to explain everything that I would experience and he eased my fears of having the surgery.
I had the surgery on December 6th, 2016, and immediately upon waking up from the surgery, the numbness in my left arm, hand, and neck was gone. I cannot remember the last time I had total feeling in my arm, hand and neck.
The pain that I experienced prior to the surgery was gone, Dr. Carlson was an angel. Dr. Carlson performing this surgery was the best decision I could have ever made, I feel like a new person. Prior to this surgery, I lived with pain every day of my life. I no longer have that pain. Thank you, Dr. Carlson!!! You are truly an awesome doctor and surgeon!!
After surgery, Dr. Carlson sent me to OSC Physical Therapy. I attended Physical Therapy for six weeks, under the care of Dr. Andrew Osowski and Fred Wintermantel. The Physical Therapy staff was awesome and I can now turn my neck and use my left arm fully again. Dr. Carlson and the OSC staff are wonderful. I have recommended Dr. Carlson and OSC to many people and will continue to do so. Thank you again to Dr. Carlson and his staff, Dr. Andrus and her staff, and OSC Physical Therapy staff.
Barbara Summers