Summary
A concert and liturgical organist had been suffering from left neck and shoulder pain and complete numbness in her thumb from cervical disc problems at C5-6 and C6-7. Symptoms threatening her ability to continue performing. After being recommended for an ACDF fusion with a metal cage, she researched alternatives, discovered the risks of adjacent segment disease associated with ACDF, watched Dr. Deukmedjian’s surgical videos, and chose the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® instead. The night following her surgery she woke up feeling sensation returning to her thumb for the first time; without neck pain, without shoulder pain, and with her singing voice fully intact. By the following morning she was already composing a piece of music for Deuk Spine Institute in gratitude.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good morning. I’m Dr. Deukmedjian. It is now July 26th, 2023. I’m here with one of my lovely patients who traveled far and wide to find me. She’s actually an author of a book that she presented to me as a gift, and I started reading through it. It’s very funny, by the way. It reminds me of the movie Airplane. We both enjoy the movie Airplane because it makes fun of the airline industry and some of the very funny things that happen around it. So she’s here today because she had surgery yesterday on your neck.
Patient: I had problems with C5-6 and C6-7. And I had pain at the left side of my neck, at the top of my shoulder. And I’m also a concert and liturgical organist, and I was losing that my entire thumb was numb. I found Dr. Deuk online. I saw his testimonials, I read everything I could. I knew that I did not want to have ACDF if I didn’t have to.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And that was recommended for you.
Patient: That was recommended for me. And I found your incredible procedure and decided this was the way I wanted to go. We had the surgery yesterday, and last night, during the middle of the night, I woke up and I realized I started to feel my thumb again.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: It’s wonderful.
Patient: And I was so impressed. I hadn’t had any neck pain. I don’t have shoulder pain. And I’m going to be able to continue to play again.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Of course you are. And gradually. Thank you so much for everything.
Patient: You’re welcome. And your staff… everyone here.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: So you mentioned ACDF. Why did you not want the ACDF?
Patient: Because it involves removing the disc and putting a metal cage in my neck. And I read about the adjacent segment syndrome that was going to happen down the road 25% of patients that received that could eventually have a problem at the levels above and below that cage. I mean, I know you can explain this much better than I
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: You’re doing a great job. Adjacent segment disease.
Patient: But I sure didn’t want that. And when I watched the procedures. I was just blown away watching your videos. Everything in this tiny little space, and you did it all. It was there for the world to see. One of the doctors I had seen the chiropractor said, “This is a no-brainer.”
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: It is a no-brainer. Now, you had a degenerated disc which was pretty bad, and you had a herniated disc as well. And we were in there and you can see it in the video with the laser removing pieces of herniation from the back of your disc where they were pushing on the nerves that was causing you to lose your left arm function. With fusions, you were also concerned about your voice as well?
Patient: Yes, absolutely. And you had explained what was going to happen with the displacement during the surgery. And then this morning I got up and I started singing, and it was fine. There was no problem.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Can you give us a few notes? I want to hear you sing.
Patient: Oh no, no, no. We won’t do that. But next time okay, next time.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: We’ll save another desk for the next trip. She’s also told me she’s going to do a composition for me. I think we don’t know whether he wants a classical one or whether he wants a commercial music one or both.
Patient: I’ll leave it to you to decide. Use your creativity make something nice for Deuk Spine, and we’ll play it during surgery.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: That sounds like a plan. That’s a deal. When are you guys heading home?
Patient: We’re heading home Saturday but only because my husband, who is in IT and AI, has to do a lot of work this week. So he’s just working from the hotel and we’re traveling on the weekend instead. But now we can enjoy this beautiful place. Your office is magnificently situated a place we just love. Viera so beautiful.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yes, it is beautiful. Right next to the beach. It’s just gorgeous. Good. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Is there anything else you want to tell your fans out there?
Patient: I would just tell you that if you’re suffering. This man is amazing. He was everything. And the staff is amazing. It’s just a wonderful experience. It was even better than I had hoped. Thank you so very much for your care.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure. Now go and enjoy life.
Patient: I will do. Thank you.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Let’s get you out of the doctor’s office and over to the beach.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® for cervical disc problems at C5-6 and C6-7 at Deuk Spine Institute. Treating a combination of degenerated and herniated discs with nerve compression causing left neck pain, left shoulder pain, and complete thumb numbness that threatened her career as a concert and liturgical organist. After being recommended for ACDF fusion surgery. Which carries a 25% risk of adjacent segment disease at levels above and below the cage. She researched extensively, watched Dr. Deukmedjian’s live surgical videos, and chose the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® as a safer alternative with no metal hardware, no cage, and no fusion. Using a laser to precisely remove herniation pieces pressing on the nerves, the procedure was performed without damaging the surrounding structures responsible for swallowing and voice. A critical concern for a singer and organist. Thumb sensation began returning the same night as surgery. Patients who have been recommended ACDF or cervical fusion and want to understand their alternatives are encouraged to submit their MRI for a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian at Deuk Spine Institute.