Patient Spotlight

Jason Wrote:

My name is Jason. I had surgery at Laser Spine Institute in July on my cervical spine by Dr. Wolff. My recovery has been going very well. Here are a few details about me, my injury and planned racing schedule for the next 18-24 months.

I've always been active and really enjoyed sports. Growing up, I ran track, cross-country, played baseball, golf and ice-hockey (yes, I'm Canadian). My wife and I moved to Bermuda in 2003 and still live here. The Bermuda climate allows for continuous 12 month training.

I wanted to complete a full ironman in 2006, but once I injured my cervical spine in 2005, I had to stop my training. I was basically in chronic pain for 6 months and lived on percocet. Eventually, the pain subsided, although my fitness was basically gone and I had suffered severe muscle atrophy through the right side of my upper body. Over the next two years, I tried to get back to an active lifestyle of running, biking, swimming and golf, only to continually suffer setbacks associated with my neck injury. I had 5 MRI's on my cervical spine between July 2005 and July 2007. The various surgeons I spoke with recommended spinal fusion; something I was not comfortable with being in my early 30's and still hopeful I could accomplish my longer term athletic dreams.

Then I found the Laser Spine Institute in Tampa. Since my surgery and recovery, my life is back to normal- finally! After 10 solid months of training, I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm able to complete 4-5 hour training days without neck pain, tingling or muscle spasms. Life is good.