54-year-old Robert Jackson is what many would call a ‘manly man’. He’s 6’2”, weighs 215 pounds and lifts weights regularly. He’s been a DPS State Trooper for 19 years and is a member of the Honor Guard.
But in the fall of 2018, while Robert was helping his son move furniture, he moved just slightly the wrong way and a shooting pain went down his left side that brought him to his knees.
He went to the ER because the pain was excruciating and was later referred to Dr. Ai Mukai, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist.
She suggested a nonsurgical treatment first that involved an epidural steroid injection. Epidural shots are less invasive treatments that use strong anti-inflammatory medicine that’s injected directly into the space outside of the sac of fluid around your spinal cord.
When that didn’t alleviate Robert’s pain, he saw Dr. Atilla Onan, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who ordered an MRI which revealed a severe pinched nerve.
Artificial Disc Replacement for Spinal Pain
Dr. Onan suggested artificial cervical disc replacement for Robert. Artificial cervical disc replacement can be an alternative to spinal fusion surgery. Unlike spinal fusion, cervical disc replacement allows for a more natural motion of the spine, return to natural disc height, and near normal stress absorption in the spine.
Specifically, Dr. Onan suggested the Mobi-C artificial disc, which is a flexible polyethylene device designed to easily self-adjust to natural spinal movements. This would help Robert with a greater ranger of motion than other manufactured disc replacements.
Dr. Onan says the benefits associated with Mobi-C include:
- Fewer risks and complications than with spine surgery
- More flexibility throughout the back and neck
- Less need for subsequent disc replacements and surgeries
Robert says he felt immediate relief after the surgery. He was told it would be a six week recovery, but after just two weeks, he was able to slowly walk on a treadmill and even lift very light weights.
He’s now back to doing the things he loves most and says he is living pain-free.
We’re so happy for you, Robert!
