Patient Stories
Sutter Spine Services
Jean - Absolutely Pain Free
"I am absolutely pain-free," says Jean, 57, about the spine surgery he had at Sutter Davis Hospital less than one month earlier.
Quite a liberating experience after three years of severe back pain, six steroid injections, and daily doses of Vicodin and Advil left this ranch operations manager nearly disabled.
Jean had spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. Spinal stenosis is caused by the narrowing of spaces in the spine (back bone), that results in pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, or both. His conditions could have been from the natural process of aging, years playing competitive softball or from running a 500-acre ranch in Capay Valley.
"I work seven days a week on the ranch; the daily chores didn't stop just because of my pain," Jean says. "We grow almonds, make olive oil and are renovating our event center - lifting and hauling are an everyday occurrence."
After realizing the medications were not improving his quality of life, a physician friend suggested that Jean consult Richard Barry, M.D., a Sutter Neuroscience Institute surgeon known for his spine microsurgery specialty. Spine microsurgery allows for a much smaller incision than traditional surgery, which results in less pain, a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery.
Jean had his surgery at 8:30 a.m. March 14 at Sutter Davis Hospital. He was discharged from the hospital less than 24 hours later and was able to move around the ranch two days post-operation.
Jean's results and immediate ability to resume activities were directly related to the minimally traumatic approach and preemptive pain control used by Dr. Barry. The surgery included a spinal stenosis decompression through a 2-centimeter incision (traditional incisions are 3 to 6 inches long). At the same time, Dr. Barry fixed Jean's spondylolisthesis through posteriolateral fusion performed through bilateral 2-centimeter incisions (classic incisions for this operation are usually 6 to 8 inches long). The surgery successfully relieved the pressure on Jean's spinal cord and restored the alignment and strength of his spine.
"This was definitely the right surgery for me," says Jean. "I am a farmer and not very compliant - I don't think I could have waited around to recover."
These days you can see Jean driving a tractor, farming almonds or hanging out with his wife, Kim, and dog, Cody. He will be fully healed three months after surgery. "I am getting stronger every day and am already happy with my results," says Jean. "Dr. Barry says I can do everything I had done in the past, including playing softball...if my wife lets me."
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