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free life
degenerative disk. After the disk is removed,
the vertebrae above and below the disk
space are fused together with bone graft.
Right for you?
Among the many advantages ACDF
offers patients, Dr. Morgan cites the risks
the procedure avoids: permanent injury,
limitations performing everyday tasks, and
addiction to and side effects caused by pain
medications.
“Talk to your doctor first about treatment
options,” Dr. Morgan says. “I tell my
patients to try conservative treatments
first, and if they have progressive weakness
and there is a risk for permanent injury, I
recommend surgery.”
Dr. Morgan adds that if you need surgery,
make sure you find a neurosurgeon who is ex-
perienced and well trained in the procedure.
Deep relief
Dossey says she experienced pain relief
almost immediately after surgery.
“I was off pain medication three days
after the surgery,” she says. “I’m three
months out, and I have no residual
effects of the nerve being pinched.
I feel great.”
Dossey is excited to have her active
lifestyle back. She enjoys adventurous
hobbies, such as sky diving and scuba
diving, which have allowed her to travel
to many wonderful locations.
“Now that my pain is gone, I plan to
book a scuba diving trip soon,” she says.
To watch an animation of the ACDF
procedure and learn more about spine
procedures at Methodist Richardson, go
to
www.MethodistHealthSystem.org/ACDF
.
To find a physician to help with your
back troubles, call
972-4 DR LINE
(
972-437-5463
).
Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The
physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are
independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of
Methodist Health System.
info
Methodist Richardson Medical Center
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Winter 2011 – 2012
11
Desk job?
If your job entails sitting at a desk
for hours a day, the next three
words are very important: Keep
your curves — the curves of your
spine, that is. Poor posture (a loss
or reversal of the three spinal curves)
can eventually lead to debilitating
back disorders.
To keep your back in good shape,
Jon Mark Pleasant, a physical therapist
at Methodist Richardson Medical
Center, suggests taking a break every
30 minutes for a brief walk or some
stretches. Try these:
Back bend.
With your feet shoulder-
width apart and your hands on your
hips, arch your body backward with your
shoulders back and your neck slightly
extended. Hold for 10 seconds; repeat
five times.
Wall stretch.
Stand with your body
straight against the wall. Press your
head and elbows back against the wall
while sucking in your stomach. Hold for
10 seconds; repeat 10 times.
READY FOR ADVENTURE:
Methodist Richardson had
Amy Dossey’s backwhen she
needed them.