SPRINT PNS Relieving Back Pain

Over his 38-year career, Dave, a retired orthopedic physician’s assistant (PA), spent long hours standing in the operating room assisting in joint replacement surgeries. And at six-feet four inches and nearly 300 pounds, his fellow team members also often relied on Dave to help them maneuver their larger patients. 

Dave says all of that standing and lifting took a toll on his back. “I noticed as I was getting older and standing in the operating room, I was starting to get a lot of low back pain,” says Dave. “I just couldn’t do things I used to.” Then, about a year before he retired, he was having to use a cane to get around, so standing in the OR was no longer possible.  

Joint issues added to back pain

Before retirement, Dave had to have his own left knee and right hip replaced due to arthritis. “The whole time I was helping with joint replacements,” says Dave, “I never imagined myself to be on that operating table.” He adds, “I think these joint issues probably compounded the back issue, so I finally consulted with a pain management specialist.”  

That specialist tried several things, including physical therapy, having Dave wear a back brace, and localized injections. When none of those options helped Dave’s pain, the doctor performed a rhizotomy, which uses electricity to deaden the nerve root. “I got about a year’s worth or relief out of that one,” says Dave, “but then the pain came back with a vengeance.” 

By this time Dave couldn’t stand up for long. “My wife, Theresa, would get upset because I couldn’t go anywhere. The minute we went someplace, I would start looking for a chair so I could sit down.”  

The pain also made Dave withdraw socially. “I would sit at home because it was just too uncomfortable to go out. I’m usually pretty gregarious, but I just went into a shell and didn’t find joy in anything because pain just kind of governed everything,” says Dave.