On 12/6/17, I started to get sharp pains in my right leg. I saw my PCP on 4 visits over the next week and was told I had a swollen muscle in my back that was causing leg pain. I received 4 medications from my PCP with no improvements. On 12/15/17, I saw my PCP again and was told if my condition didn’t get better to come back the beginning of next year to get an MRI.
That same day, 12/15/17, I went to the chiropractor and was told I had a swollen muscle that was pinching the nerve running down my right leg. At this point, I could not walk 10 feet without collapsing over in pain and walking upstairs was impossible. After several visits to the chiropractor, the pain was no better.
On 12/21/17, I decided to see an Orthopedic specialist. I called OSC ,because of their high ratings, and they scheduled me with Dr. Jeffrey Carlson the following day.
On 12/22/17, I saw Dr. Carlson and he immediately gave a very possible diagnosis that my L5 disc had ruptured, which was pinching my nerve. He ordered an MRI which was done as soon as possible, on 12/31/17. My follow-up appointment was on 1/5/18 for the MRI results. Dr. Carlson confirmed that my L5 had ruptured. He gave me 2 treatment options, with one of them being surgery (microdiscectomy) which would be the most successful of the 2 options. I chose surgery, which was scheduled for 1/16/18.
I went in for surgery on 1/16/18 at 5 AM. I was taken back to the OR at 7 AM, and woke up at 9: 30 AM, completely out of pain and later that morning, walked out of the hospital.
I am 8 weeks post-op and feel amazing. Dr. Carlson is straightforward and straight to the point. Not once did I ever feel uncomfortable with the decision and he answered all of my questions. His staff is AMAZING and make you feel right at home. I thank God for Dr. Carlson and the skills he has been gifted. I hope no one has to go through the pain that I experienced, but if you are, I hope you are reading this and know that whatever decision you decide, Dr. Carlson and his staff will take great care of you. Just follow his orders and restrictions after surgery and you will be back to normal in no time. Thank you Dr. Carlson!
Brian Brisson