Ohio Patient Walks Straight After Laser Disc Repair
Summary
A patient from Ohio came to Deuk Spine Institute after more than 14 years of chronic lower back pain, two prior surgeries that provided only temporary relief, and mounting pressure from three local surgeons who recommended spinal fusion—a path that would have ended his career. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian performed the minimally invasive Deuk Laser Disc Repair®, accessing the spine through the neuroforamen without damaging surrounding tissue. Just 24 hours after his outpatient procedure, the patient reported that his balance had returned, he was able to walk in a straight line without holding the walls for the first time in over a year, and he felt only minor soreness—with no fusion required.
Transcript
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: We're here at the Deuk Spine Institute. I have a patient who traveled from Ohio to Deuk Spine Institute for his lower back. And he's been through a lot of treatments in the past that didn't really work. They may have given him some temporary results. I'll let him tell you more about that. But he's here today, a new man, just 24 hours after his outpatient surgery. He had the Deuk Laser Disc Repair. You can see in the video, we made some small cuts on his back, went in through a natural opening in the spine called the neuroforamen. We didn't do any damage under the skin and we were able to repair the herniations that have been plaguing him now for years. How long have you had problems with your back?
Patient: Since approximately 2009, quite a while.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: All right, so about what, 14 years now?
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And you've had surgery before. How were those other surgeries?
Patient: I had two minor surgeries. One lasted for about, relieved my pains for three years. Second one, maybe six or seven, somewhat of the pain, enough to get me through. Over the last couple of years, the loss of balance, which really affected my job, was just getting worse and worse and worse. I really didn't know what to do. And I went through three local surgeons and everybody, the only answer was fusion, fusion, fusion. That was pretty much gonna end my career. I found this guy.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And you had surgery yesterday. How are you feeling today?
Patient: Just a little bit of soreness in my back. The balance is back. I know I'm on my way to recovery.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: You look a little teared up there. Yeah? It's been a journey, hasn't it?
Patient: As soon as I did the video conference with you, sort of broke down, I just stood, just hoping.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: I understand. They'd be back. So can you tell the difference at this point now that you've had the surgery?
Patient: Oh yeah.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yeah?
Patient: Yeah.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: You said you got up and you walked straight this morning.
Patient: I hadn't been able to do that for over a year without pain. I couldn't walk down a hallway without grabbing the walls.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And the reason for that is that your nerves are getting pinched pretty bad. And we went in there and unpinched them during your surgery with the laser. And we did not have to do a fusion and you're not gonna need a fusion. That's the great news.
Patient: Yes, it is.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: And is there anything else you wanna tell your fans out there?
Patient: I just hope more people that these doctors are gonna give them that option, fusion. Come see this guy. Don't ruin your life.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: When do you head back?
Patient: Sunday.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Sunday. You're gonna enjoy Orlando for a little longer?
Patient: I'm gonna try, yep.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Yeah, all right. We'll try to make it out to the space coast and go see the rockets over.
Patient: Okay.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: All right, sir. Thank you, sir.
Patient: You're welcome. My pleasure.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian: Let's get you guys out of here. Come on.
The Better Way: Deuk Laser Disc Repair® (DLDR)
This patient underwent the Deuk Laser Disc Repair®, a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed at Deuk Spine Institute in which Dr. Ara Deukmedjian accesses the affected discs through the neuroforamen—a natural opening in the spine—to repair herniated discs using laser technology without cutting muscle or requiring spinal fusion. The procedure addresses lower back pain, nerve compression, and loss of balance caused by disc herniations, and is designed to preserve spinal integrity while delivering lasting relief.
