My name is Tiffany. About six months ago I was injured in a car accident. A week after the accident I started feeling excruciating pain in my thighs. I could barely walk. The MRI results came back positive for a herniated disc in my lumbar section. They recommend for me to have a series of epidural shots or surgery. Here and I have to have surgery is actually frightening because of my child. [inaudible] a very physical job. The pain has been horrible.
I know Tiffany because I had a huge hair emergency. I’ve been seeing her ever since. I started to notice it. Instead of bending down to plug in their equipment, she was always asked me to do it. So I just started asking her, something going on there, is your back hurting? And that’s when she told me about how she’s in pain every day.
I do fear that I will not be able to work at all. And also my son plays football, and not being able to go to his games and cheer. So afraid I’ll miss out on everything. I’m stuck, because there wasn’t enough insurance coverage to cover an epidural, much less surgery. But I can’t deal with the pain anymore, but I’m also afraid of having a surgery.
My hope for Tiffany is that we can get her with one of the best back surgeons in the country, and that he can make her feel better.
After Dr. Rachael shared Tiffany’s story with our producers, we sent her to board certified orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Hooman Melamed.
Tiffany, hi, how are you? In about a little bit over six months since the accident, do you think you’re at worst?
I think I’m worse. It has definitely caused a huge decrease in my activity.
I see. You can only walk up to [inaudible] at the most, basically. All right, let’s stand up, please. Good. Let me just, you, let me just see, walk. Okay, excellent. One, two, three. I want you pull your ankle up towards you. One, two, three, go. [inaudible] Okay, good. Way to go.
Look at your MRI. Good, good, excellent. Let’s go. You see any difference between any of these discs here? That’s the disc that’s related, and you can see the space from here to here is narrower than to all the other spaces. See how much this is collapse now, basically. So part of the problem is, you know, [inaudible] and then this is [inaudible] collapsing. You kind of have lost the shock absorber. So we should probably touch base in about a week, because I only get you on the right path.
Tiffany joins us with Dr. Melamed. Welcome. [inaudible] about this whole scenarios, not only the fact that you two are now good friends and Dr. Rachael was able to help set you up with Dr. Melamed. It’s, it, not all back pains, like both traumatic and non-traumatic, but getting the right diagnosis and then the right treatment plan. So Dr. Melamed, after you evaluated Tiffany, you know, what was your thought process, and what is your hope for her?
I think the plan, you know, we’ve already spoken with Tiffany. She knows what she’s got [inaudible] and then in a strong rehab program, because the [inaudible] bodies are stronger and your core stronger, the better you tolerate the surgery, and then you’re less risk of re-injuring yourself after the operation.
What are some of the changes you’ve made already, just from listening to Dr. [inaudible]?
Well, Dr. [inaudible] this Paleo diet, where you’re basically eating anything that’s coming from the land, [inaudible] from the earth. You know, the less processed food you’re eating, you’re gonna be on your way and better.
Rachael, you mentioned the idea that you’re friends now and you’re gonna help them be texting things here, that we’re a resource for you, yet in terms of ways to get your weight down. Because once that happens, it’s easier to decide what you may or may not do going forward.
Absolutely. I mean, the thing is that she may not even need the operation. I’ve had patients where you get them in an optimum shape and you get rid of a lot of the inflammation inside the body, get in a better shape, and they end up not needing surgery, actually. But if, in this case, if it becomes a, she’s in an optimum shape to go ahead, do it, and she’ll respond the best afterwards, if we have to do it. And this thing, you know, it’s outpatient microscopic procedure.
And no one, no one better at it than this guy right here. In addition, the divisions of occupational therapy and physical therapy at USC, they’re gonna offer weight management coaching and six months of physical therapy. They can give that to you for free. Plus [inaudible] hooking you up with local certified personal trainer [inaudible] giving you one year’s worth of free personal trainer [inaudible] you’re hopefully on the road to recovery. Can’t thank Dr. Melamed.
