Karen's Story

Karen’s journey from debilitating sciatic nerve pain to finding relief is a testament to the benefits of ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.

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Finding Relief Through Endoscopic Spine Surgery

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As a charter captain who had always led an active lifestyle, Karen effortlessly handled the physical challenges of her profession. “We eat, sleep, and drink yachting,” she said.  

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Karen’s dynamic lifestyle came to an abrupt halt when she was struck by intense sciatic nerve pain radiating down her left leg.

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“I started feeling this spasming in my lower back and everything was on fire,” Karen explained. “I knew something was really wrong here. And I thought I’m probably never going to ride in another boat again.”  

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Even simple tasks like brushing her teeth became excruciating, and eventually, the pain forced her to stop running charters altogether.

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The pain had become unbearable, and Karen knew she needed a solution. Despite trying physical therapy and various medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen, she couldn’t find relief.

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‍Deciding on Surgery

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After approximately 6 to 8 months of relentless pain, Karen’s primary care doctor referred her to Jian Shen, MD, a spine surgeon. Following her own thorough research and discussions with Dr. Shen, Karen felt confident in her decision to undergo an ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic procedure.  

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Karen was hopeful about the procedure, especially because it was minimally invasive and would be performed on an outpatient basis. However, she was concerned about postsurgery pain management, particularly the use of narcotics, and was determined to avoid becoming dependent on pain medications.

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On surgery day, Karen was discharged only a few hours after her procedure. Her husband, Charles, drove her home to rest comfortably. Karen said that the immediate relief she felt in her leg brought her to tears; the pain was gone, and she knew the surgery was successful.

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“For me, the most challenging part of recovery was not doing too much too soon,” Karen noted. Feeling better almost immediately made it difficult to hold back and allow her body to heal fully.

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Karen managed her postsurgery pain without narcotics, relying on ice and over-the-counter medications. She was proactive about icing, which helped manage any discomfort.

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Returning to Normalcy

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Since the surgery, Karen's mobility and quality of life have improved dramatically. She has returned to her full physical lifestyle, including lifting, bending, climbing, and moving around their fleet without pain. Karen is back to doing yoga, anchoring and cleaning their fleet, and managing all the physical aspects of her charter lifestyle.

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Throughout her journey, Karen's husband, Charles, was a constant source of support. “He supported my decision-making, helped with postsurgery care, and provided emotional encouragement when I felt discouraged,” she shared.

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Looking back, Karen did not realize how fast her recovery would be and wishes she could have had the surgery sooner.  

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For anyone considering endoscopic spine surgery, Karen emphasized the life-changing impact of advancements in ultra-minimally invasive surgical techniques. “For me, endoscopic spine surgery was the only answer. It’s great to have my life back,” she said.  

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This real patient was compensated for the time they took to share their experience. Physician is a paid consultant of Arthrex, Inc.