Nancy

NANCY had neck pain symptoms that started years ago, and then progressed into her shoulder blades, ultimately causing headaches.

“I was always a very active person,” Nancy notes. “I really enjoyed having a busy life and active lifestyle, and really enjoyed outdoor recreation. I ultimately had to cut back on almost all of my activities. I didn’t sleep well. Last year which is the first time in my life I wasn’t able to ski because any movement would just make the neck pain so much worse Dr. Jatana treated a friend of mine several years ago and she referred me to him.”

During her first visit with Dr. Jatana, they reviewed the MRI images of her neck, which revealed a herniated disc at two levels — something that represented a challenge. “The traditional treatment of spinal fusion is not ideal,” Dr. Jatana notes. “If you lock two segments you dramatically reduce motion in the neck. And that will put extra stress on the remaining five discs in the neck. While a fusion might be okay in the lumbar spine, you have fewer levels in the cervical area to provide motion.”

Nancy felt comfortable with the time spent with Dr. Jatana. “He was just wonderfully patient; he wasn’t rushed and answered all the questions about the choices I needed to make.”

Ultimately, Dr. Jatana recommended artificial disc replacement at the 5-6 and 6-7 levels in the neck.

“I can’t say enough about Dr. Jatana, his team, the surgical staff and the anesthesiologist,” Nancy remembers. “They were very professional.

I couldn’t believe it: I was back home that night after surgery, sleeping in my own bed. Within a couple days I was outside walking. My neck pain was gone. The numbness in my hands was gone. I regained all the feeling in my fingers. I did a half-mile hike last weekend. I could never have done that before the surgery. I’ve already got my ski pass for the upcoming season. It’s so nice be your old self again.”