Summary
A patient from Idaho had been suffering from back pain for 30 years. Including a prior spinal fusion that made his condition worse and contributed to a heart complication he still manages. Leaving him in pain levels ranging from a 6 to a 10 daily and battling depression that he described as nearly taking his life. After years of inadequate care in a state he described as one of the worst for getting help, he was supported by his wife, his faith, and childhood friends who encouraged him to travel to Deuk Spine Institute. Dr. Deukmedjian performed both the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® and the Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® for his facet joints, navigating around existing fusion hardware including a broken screw at L5. The morning after surgery, his pain had dropped from a 6-10 down to a 1 or less and he described feeling like a completely different person.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Good morning. I’m Dr. Deukmedjian. 30 years of back pain; gone overnight.
Patient: Yeah. Overnight. Gone. It was amazing. I’ve been dealing with it, suffering. If it wasn’t for my faith and belief, and my friends back home that supported me, my wife. I finally got here to the Deuk Spine Institute, and what an amazing experience it’s been. Had surgery yesterday, I’m up walking around, I feel great. My pain was usually from a 6 to a 10. At a 1 now, if that. And I’m just so grateful that there are gentlemen in this world that really care about people, like Dr. Deuk. I can’t thank him enough. I recommend this gentleman to anyone who’s been suffering and doesn’t know where to go for help. I live in the state of Idaho. It’s a great place to live, but probably one of the worst states to get help in.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, we are happy you’re here in Florida to get your back fixed. We did the Deuk Laser Disc Repair® on your back and the Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® on your facet joints. And you had a fusion done before; is that correct?
Patient: That is correct.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And we saw in your video. When we were doing your laser surgery, you could see all the screws and rods. You even have a broken screw at L5 on the left side, I believe. How do you feel comparing your fusion surgery with the Deuk Laser Disc Repair?
Patient: There is no comparison. 100% different. The fusion didn’t help me. It made me worse, gave me a heart complication that I still deal with. But since I’ve been here, the people are outstanding in this facility and I can’t praise them enough. Dr. Deuk is truly a godsend for people that are suffering. I can say with 100% honesty that I feel like a totally different person. I’m just so glad that I came here.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: How’s your wife feel about your new back?
Patient: She loves it. Because she knows I’ve been dealing with pain and depression. It’s a hard thing to deal with. It almost took my life. But like I said, with my belief in our Father and His Son Jesus, that’s kept me here. And she’s a big part of that. I’ve got to thank my friends. Dave Bowen, Dan Arnold, and Brad Russell. Those are truly my childhood friends that never gave up on me. People judge me on how I look, not how I am. And I’m a very compassionate person, like yourself, and I want to help other people. I can’t suggest Dr. Deuk and his team here enough. They are world-renowned, outstanding, and everyone is so kind. I’m just so happy to have you on my side and I can’t thank you enough. Thank you, sir. Praise God. Amen.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Thank you for having faith in my team and our ability to help you.
Patient: They’re world-class people here. You can’t go wrong at least for myself. I’m just ecstatic. You can’t put it into words when you have no pain. I love it. And I’m just so glad that everyone who was involved with me getting here helped me, because I didn’t do it on my own. I thank you all.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Well, thank you for sharing your story. I know it means a lot to people out there. We just want people to know that we can now fix back pain and neck pain. They just have to come here to Deuk Spine Institute and get the right treatment done, and we’ll help them tremendously. Enjoy your travels home.
Patient: Yes and enjoy your new back.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: I shall. Thank you so much.
Patient: Yes, sir. It’s my pleasure. All right.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair® & Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy®
This patient underwent both the Deuk Laser Disc Repair®(DLDR) and the Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy®(DPR) for facet joint pain at Deuk Spine Institute. A comprehensive same-visit treatment addressing multiple sources of his 30-year chronic lower back pain, including disc damage and facet joint deterioration below a prior spinal fusion with hardware and a broken screw at L5. The Deuk Laser Disc Repair® uses a minimally invasive laser to clean out annular tears and disc herniations, while the Deuk Plasma Rhizotomy® permanently destroys the pain nerves supplying the damaged facet joints. Both performed as outpatient procedures with no hospitalization and no narcotic pain medication. Patients with complex spinal histories including prior fusions, broken hardware, and failed surgeries are encouraged to submit their imaging for a complimentary MRI review and virtual consultation with Dr. Deukmedjian at Deuk Spine Institute.