Gregg S.
Diagnosis: Lumbar degenerative disc disease
“Dr. Anand is absolutely the best. I thank him for being a doctor and for giving me my life back.”
Dennis R.
Diagnosis: Lumbar degenerative disc disease; Cervical stenosis with myelopathy
“Dr. Anand has been better to me and for me than anyone in my entire life has. I believe his ability to heal may be a special gift that very very few humans have ever been given.”
Elena O.
Diagnosis: Lumbar disc herniation with degenerative disc disease
“Thank you again for a wonderful surgery.”
By the time he met with Dr. Anand in March 2017, this patient from Idaho had already had multiple spine surgeries. He had a L5-S1 fusion in 1999, a L4-5 microdiscectomy in 2000, and L4-5 fusion in 2011. His back symptoms on presentation included severe lower back pain, thigh pain, and burning sensations in his thighs when standing and walking. He was experiencing a sensation of weakness in his legs and admitted to several falls. Imaging was consistent with collapse of the disc and stenosis at L3-4, the level above his prior fusions. An anesthetic discogram at L3-4 provided him with almost complete relief of symptoms. Therefore, it was recommended that he undergo a L3-4 artificial disc replacement to maintain motion in his lumbar spine and restore function to this active man. Within a week of surgery, he was walking at least three times a day with no episodes of leg weakness and was not taking any narcotic pain medications.
Then, in December 2017, he returned to the office complaining of neck pain, bilateral shoulder pain, chest pain, and weakness in his left arm. He had a history of a C5-6 and C6-7 fusion in 2008. On examination, he demonstrated weakness in his left arm and numbness in his left hand. He had a weak hand grip and wasting of the intrinsic muscles of his left hand. Movement of his left arm created severe pain. The MRI of his cervical spine revealed a broad disc herniation at C4-5, compressing upon the spinal cord and creating severe left-sided foraminal stenosis. In order to prevent any further nerve damage, surgery was recommended. He subsequently underwent a C4-5 artificial disc replacement. Within hours of surgery, he noted relief of pain in his left arm and numbness in his left hand. He also admitted to improved dexterity, balance, and strength.
Then, in December 2017, he returned to the office complaining of neck pain, bilateral shoulder pain, chest pain, and weakness in his left arm. He had a history of a C5-6 and C6-7 fusion in 2008. On examination, he demonstrated weakness in his left arm and numbness in his left hand. He had a weak hand grip and wasting of the intrinsic muscles of his left hand. Movement of his left arm created severe pain. The MRI of his cervical spine revealed a broad disc herniation at C4-5, compressing upon the spinal cord and creating severe left-sided foraminal stenosis. In order to prevent any further nerve damage, surgery was recommended. He subsequently underwent a C4-5 artificial disc replacement. Within hours of surgery, he noted relief of pain in his left arm and numbness in his left hand. He also admitted to improved dexterity, balance, and strength.
Approximately a year and a half later, this patient returned to Dr. Anand complaining of new neck and left arm symptoms. This time, the pain radiated down the left arm to the 4th and 5th digits and into the left shoulder and shoulder blade. Images revealed left-sided foraminal stenosis from a disc herniaition at C7-T1, below his prior fusion. In order to avoid another fusion but adequately decompress the nerves, Dr. Anand recommended a C7-T1 posterior cervical foraminotomy. Surgery was completed in May 2019 and patient experienced significant relief of pain.
“How does a man re-pay someone for saving my life? And for giving me some quality of life back? For giving me my legs back? For giving me my heart, lung, shoulder, and arm back? And for giving me your incredible surgical skills? All I can give you is my friendship, appreciation, love, and undying gratitude for all you have done for us. I think of you and your team everyday and I thank my God for you all every night and ask that He smiles down on you for helping and saving so many people in pain. You are an amazing person, brilliant, skilled and kind.”
