IN Better Health Health Concern: Debilitating arm pain and weakness. Treatment: Artificial disk replacement.
AS A HAIRDRESSER, Tiffany Evans relies on her arms and hands to make her clients feel beautiful. In the spring of this year, she began experiencing neck pain and loss of feeling in her right arm and fingers. “After weeks of pain, an ER visit and two appointments with my primary physician, I was approved for a MRI,” says Tiffany. She was soon referred to Dr. Justin L. Owen at Culicchia Neurological Clinic. “When he looked at my MRI, Dr. Owen immediately knew what was wrong and that I needed surgery fast to not have further damage.” “Tiffany suffered from a herniated intervertebral disc of the cervical spine at the C5-6 level,” says Dr. Owen. “Because she is relatively young and her symptoms were emanating from compression of the nerve as opposed to arthritis, she was a good candidate for an artificial disc. 40
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“In addition, she was losing arm strength as a result of the nerve compression, so she was a candidate for surgery to avoid further nerve damage and weakness. Implantation of an artificial disc involves much less recovery time than traditional spine fusion surgery. And, it would allow her to return to work within six weeks, which she did.” The implantation was a success, leaving Tiffany relieved. “As soon as I woke up in recovery, I had immediate relief,” Tiffany smiles. “Post surgery, I am 100-percent pain free.” For the first six weeks after surgery, she was restricted to light activity. “After that, she was released from all restrictions, returned to work and is doing very well,” adds Dr. Owen. “I’m thankful to Dr. Owen for being so caring and professional,” says Tiffany. “Everything was fantastic from beginning until now.”
photo: CANDRA GEORGE mycreativereality.com
with Tiffany Evans