Summary
A professional horseback rider from Canada had monitored a herniated disc at L5-S1 for seven years, until it worsened over the past seven months to a year and sent pain down her right leg. Her Canadian doctor could only offer a specialist appointment in three and a half years, so she found Deuk Spine Institute. During surgery, a discogram confirmed L5-S1 as the source of her pain at 10 out of 10, and Dr. Deukmedjian used a laser to clean the tear through a quarter-inch incision, with no fusion, metal, or artificial disc. She went for a short walk right after waking, felt amazing the next day, and now hopes to build her strength and pursue her dream of making the Canadian Olympic equestrian team.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good morning. I’m Dr. Deukmedjian and I’m here with one of my lovely patients from Canada who’s visited us because her back has been hurting for seven years. She’s had a herniated disc at L5-S1 that she’s been kind of monitoring, and finally it really started bothering her a lot over the last seven months to a year, causing pain down into her right leg. So she decided to do something about it. She went to see her doctor in Canada, who then said, “Yep, I’ll have you see the specialist in three and a half years.” Well, that wasn’t going to work for you, right?
Patient: No.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Because you don’t want to live in pain for three and a half more years, and even then you don’t know what you’re going to be offered. But she found Deuk Spine Institute and learned about the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® endoscopic surgery, and you had it done yesterday. How are you doing?
Patient: I’m feeling great today. I have some tight muscles from having to walk very oddly for quite a while due to the sciatic pain. I must say, this is the happiest I’ve been in a very long time, to be able to stand up straight and go for a walk, because I’m an active person. I ride horses for a living, so having to be locked up in my room for the past while has not been good. So this has felt amazing.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: You’re happy with the results?
Patient: Very.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: For the rest of your life, after we let the disc heal. A full year of nothing but…
Patient: Yes.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: …and say nothing, but horseback riding is one of those things. I love horses and I love riding horses. I’m not very good at it, but I’m one of those people you see bouncing up and down in the saddle. So I know it can be rough on your back, and I just want to make sure you give your back a full year to heal. You can see in your surgery right here, we actually tested your L5-S1 disc with a discogram, which is a test done to verify that disc is indeed causing your back pain. When we tested it, you said “ah,” and we asked you how bad it was. You said 10 out of 10, and I asked, “Is that your typical pain you get every day?” and you said yes. So we verified the source of your pain was the L5-S1. You can see the laser was used to clean the tear endoscopically. Your incision was only a quarter inch, and there’s no need for fusion or metal or artificial discs. This surgery replaces fusion and artificial discs. What are you going to do now that you’re feeling better?
Patient: I will take it easy, I promise. But after this year, I hope to be the strongest I’ve ever been. I have very high hopes. My dream is to make the Canadian Olympic team for my sport, and that’s the end goal. I feel like it’s a possibility now.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Absolutely you can. We’re rooting for you. And I know you have an incredibly supportive husband who’s been by your side the whole time. He’s a delightful young man and I’ve had time to talk to him as well. You’re lucky you have support from your family to help you get through this.
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Anything you want to say to your fans out there?
Patient: I don’t even know where to start, other than this place really can offer you what you deserve or what you need going forward to be able to live a happy and good life. It’s amazing to me that literally yesterday I woke up from it and went for a short walk immediately, and I felt amazing. It’s very hopeful. If you are suffering from any of it, don’t wait, especially with the Canadian system. Come and do this. It’s really worth it.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Awesome. My whole team is going to be watching the equestrian sports in the Olympics, looking to see you there, and of course supporting you.
Patient: Thank you.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: All right, congratulations. Take care.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® at Deuk Spine Institute for a herniated disc at L5-S1 causing back pain and right-leg sciatica. A discogram during surgery confirmed the disc as the source of her pain, and Dr. Deukmedjian used a laser through a quarter-inch incision to clean the tear, replacing the need for fusion, metal hardware, or an artificial disc. She walked the same day and was standing straight and pain-free the next. Patients facing long wait times elsewhere can submit their MRI for a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian.