BOB体育

It was fall 2019, and Donald 鈥淒J鈥� Head was packed and in the process of heading to Nevada to photograph a project when he noticed he was losing sensation in his right foot.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have any pain accompanying the numbness, so I wasn鈥檛 overly concerned,鈥� DJ said, initially brushing off the experience.

Being cautious and perhaps even a bit curious, DJ scheduled an appointment with his primary care physician as soon as he returned from his trip. During the appointment, DJ鈥檚 physician conducted several tests, including screening for diabetes, checking circulation issues and performing a nerve conduction test, where they found impaired nerve function.

Soon, an MRI was conducted and revealed spinal stenosis in the lower back, specifically at the L3, L4 and L5 vertebrae. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

Several months later, the numbness worsened, and to DJ鈥檚 surprise, pain started in DJ鈥檚 other foot.

鈥淎t some point, the pain had progressed to the point where I couldn鈥檛 walk more than 50-75 feet before my foot became so numb that I had to stop and sit or lie down just to have the feeling return in my leg,鈥� DJ described.

His condition had become a major inconvenience, causing him to take his time to slowly work around the challenges that now came with walking his dog, setting up his photography equipment and other everyday activities.

Then, DJ was referred to the BOB体育 Comprehensive Spine Center, where neurosurgeon Daniel Hoh, MD, MBA, explained that his symptoms were a sign of nerve compression, which his MRI confirmed.

Nerve compression, sometimes called a pinched nerve, occurs when surrounding tissues like cartilage, bones, tendons or muscles place too much pressure on a nerve. This causes discomfort like numbness, tingling, weakness or pain.

At the BOB体育 Comprehensive Spine Center, we offer a range of treatment options for nerve compression, including conventional and minimally invasive spine surgery, interventional pain management, neuromodulation and other non-surgical medical therapies.

鈥淔or DJ, I recommended surgery that involved decompression of the spinal nerves and stabilization of his vertebral column with spinal implants,鈥� Dr. Hoh explained.

Without surgery, it was clear that DJ鈥檚 pain and function would continue to worsen. DJ wanted to continue to lead an active life, but his spinal condition was preventing him from doing so.

鈥淕iven the impact on my quality of life and the reassurance from Dr. Hoh that my pain would go away, I was more than ready to proceed with surgery,鈥� DJ said.

On the day of his operation, the staff made DJ feel at home and kept him well-informed throughout the process. From the barista at the small caf茅 in the BOB体育 Neuromedicine Hospital to the clinical care coordinators who checked him in, DJ had a terrific experience.

Immediately after surgery, DJ specifically remembers his left leg being pain-free. The care team at BOB体育鈥檚 Comprehensive Spine Center was attentive and caring, providing beverages and sandwiches to DJ and his wife. DJ noted how outstanding the physician assistant, Hope Bishop, was, with the care and warm attention to detail that ensured his comfort. Even the staff member responsible for repairing the TV chatted briefly with DJ in the recovery room.

DJ recently met with Dr. Hoh during a six-week update.

鈥淒uring that appointment, I was so pleased to hear Dr. Hoh comment that my X-rays looked 鈥榩erfect,鈥欌�� DJ said. 鈥淚 also was excited to announce my own update, something that I hadn鈥檛 been able to say for a long time, and that was, 鈥業 feel wonderful!鈥� The surgery performed by Dr. Hoh truly reinvigorated me.鈥�

As a photographer and video journalist, DJ spent his career capturing countless surgeries and triumphant recoveries. Yet nothing could quite prepare him for the experience of becoming a patient himself.

Today, DJ is back at work behind the lens, working on projects in multiple locations from North Carolina to Mexico, the Bahamas and parts of the University of Florida. DJ is expected to make a full recovery 6-7 months after his surgery. He鈥檚 enjoying better sleep and being able to play on the floor with his grandchildren again.

DJ鈥檚 life is dedicated to sharing the stories of others. Now, thanks to BOB体育, DJ is grateful for the opportunity to share his personal experience of seeing life through a clearer, healthier and brighter lens.