Summary
A mother of two boys ages 10 and 5 had been suffering from neck pain radiating into her right arm for four to five months, making every basic daily duty as a mother unbearable. She had been offered cervical fusion and possible disc replacement, with the additional risk that the surgeon might need to fuse up to three discs once inside. Unwilling to accept those consequences, she sought Dr. Deukmedjian’s opinion on a less invasive option. On February 1st, 2023, she underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at C6-7 and C7-T1. The latter being a landmark first endoscopically at that level. Through a four-millimeter incision. The following morning she took her first steps out of bed completely pain-free for the first time in four months, describing the moment as glorious, and declared she would wake up with a smile on her face instead of tears from that day forward.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: I’m here with one of my patients on February 1st, 2023. You just had surgery on your neck. The Deuk Laser Disc Repair® done with a four-millimeter incision to fix two herniated discs: her C6-7 and her C7-T1. And you had a long neck, so we were able to get down to the C7-T1. And she had a very large herniation there. So your surgery was about 24 hours ago. How do you feel today?
Patient: I feel. I was able to do many things this morning that I haven’t been able to do for four months. And that is just get out of bed and just take my first steps and have zero pain. And I haven’t had that in four months. The first step out of my bed was always the beginning of my day and it was awful. And today I took my first step out of the bed and it was glorious.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good for you. And before surgery yesterday, you had been suffering for about six months with neck pain going into your right arm correct?
Patient: About yeah… about four or five months.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: How did that affect your quality of life?
Patient: Every day is difficult. I mean, I have a 10-year-old and a five-year-old boy. And just the basic duties of a mother every single day was just unbearable and difficult. So quality of life was not very good.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And so because of the pain, things and activities would set it off so you were limiting what you were doing, limiting what you’re able to do as a mother?
Patient: Yes. There were things I was not able to do. And being the best mum that I can be that was not one of them.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, you look very happy right now.
Patient: I am.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Why are you so happy?
Patient: Because I’m pain-free.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yeah. And you didn’t have to have a fusion or an artificial disc replacement.
Patient: I did not.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Did anyone offer those surgeries to you?
Patient: I was offered those surgeries. I was told that I needed a fusion, the possibility of disc replacement in one or two years down the road. But it was my decision to go in and have those taken care of if I wanted to. But there was also a possibility that once the doctor got in, he could not replace those two discs so he’d have to fuse those two. So to me that was a possible three discs being fused. And I know the consequences of that. So that’s why I came for your opinion in your professional opinion, what can be done in a less invasive way? That was an option for me. And here I am.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And I’m really happy it worked out for you. You can see in the video we were able to get down to C7-T1. Which is really a first endoscopically. And because you had that nice long neck, we were able to do it. And there were huge pieces of herniation down there. Your other disc was more degenerated and we were still able to get that fixed as well. So I’m very happy you’re doing well. What’s life going to be like now that your neck is fixed?
Patient: My quality of life is just going to be a lot what it was. But I’m going to wake up with a smile on my face now instead of tears.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, congratulations. Thank you so much. Is there anything else you want to tell your fans out there?
Patient: Come see Dr. Deuk. He’ll fix your pain and make you walk out with a smile on your face.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Excellent. Good to see you.
Patient: Thank you. Thank you so much.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® for two cervical disc herniations at C6-7 and C7-T1 at Deuk Spine Institute with the C7-T1 level representing a landmark first for endoscopic cervical spine surgery at that depth, made possible by the patient’s anatomy. A large herniation at C7-T1 and a degenerated disc at C6-7 had been causing severe neck and right arm pain for four to five months. Rather than accepting the recommendation of cervical fusion with possible disc replacement. Which carried the additional risk of requiring up to three fused levels once inside. She sought Dr. Deukmedjian’s opinion on a minimally invasive alternative. The Deuk Laser Disc Repair® was performed through a four-millimeter incision with no fusion hardware, no disc replacement, no hospitalization, and no narcotic pain medication. Achieving complete pain relief within 24 hours. Patients who have been recommended ACDF cervical fusion or artificial disc replacement for cervical neck and arm pain are encouraged to submit their MRI for a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian at Deuk Spine Institute before proceeding.