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Standing Tall
Karen Benedix
Nov, 2017
Physicians: Rafeek Woods, MD; Sherrell O'Donnel, DO, FACOI; Kevin Drew, MD
For the last 30 years of her life, 68-year-old Karen Benedix couldn’t remember a time when her back didn’t hurt. However, in the last three years the pain had become increasingly worse. So much so, that she had trouble walking any distance and couldn't perform everyday chores around the house, such as laundry or dishes. An avid piano player since the 5th grade, she could also no longer sit at the bench and play for any length of time.
“I’ve had back problems my whole life,” said Karen. “I had surgery on two herniated discs in the 80s so when I was still experiencing pain I thought it was something I just had to live with. I never told a doctor because I didn’t think there was anything anyone could do to help.”
When the pain began to travel to Karen’s leg she decided it was time to voice her concerns to her primary care provider, Sherrell O’Donnell, DO, FACOI. Karen’s MRI results revealed that her spine was shaped like the letter C. She had been living with a severe case of scoliosis, or abnormal curvature of the spine, without even realizing it.
In most cases, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. In other cases, scoliosis may develop as a result of breakdown of the spinal discs, as seen with arthritis, osteoporosis, or as a hereditary condition that runs in families.
As a first step, Dr. O’Donnell referred her to pain specialist, Kevin Drew, MD. When the injections Dr. Drew provided didn’t touch the pain, he recommended she see a neurosurgeon. Karen sought the opinions of Rafeek Woods, MD, and another local neurosurgeon in South Bend who both recommended the same surgery.
“I loved Dr. Woods from the minute he walked in the room,” said Karen. “He was very personable and took the time to explain the procedure and showed us how the rods and screws would straighten my back. He kept telling me it was a big surgery, but I was ready – I didn’t want to spend another minute in pain.”
The surgical approach for treating scoliosis, which is new to southwest Michigan, would stabilize Karen’s spine and reduce or remove the pain by joining two or more vertebral bones to prevent movement – also known as spinal fusion. During the procedure, which involved two surgeries over the course of a week, Dr. Woods inserted bone grafts between Karen’s vertebrae to encourage new bone growth and fuse the spinal bones together.
Screws, rods, and connectors, were also implanted along the spine forming an "internal cast" to support the vertebrae and redirect stress during the healing and fusing process.
“The techniques we are using for spinal deformity [scoliosis] surgery are less invasive and allow for faster recovery,” said Dr. Woods. “Unlike traditional techniques which relied on removing parts of the bony spinal column to correct the deformity, in the majority of cases we are now able to restore normal anatomy by re-establishing normal disc spaces.”
Although it would take nine months for the bones to fully heal, since her surgery Karen no longer experiences back pain and has graduated to walking on her own without assistance.
“Before my surgery I was bent over and couldn’t stand up straight – that’s all gone now,” said Karen. “Three weeks after surgery and I’m able to play the piano again – when I started my recovery I couldn’t even shower on my own. The only thing I can’t do now is bend over to tie my shoes. I would highly recommend this procedure to anyone.”
Karen has also started physical therapy to help stretch and strengthen her back and leg muscles and maintain her overall physical conditioning.
“When I was discharged from the hospital Dr. Woods told me, ‘I’ve done my part, now you need to do yours,’” said Karen. “I keep that in mind while I’m doing physical therapy and it pushes me to do my best in order to heal correctly.”
Even though Karen can’t get back the 30 years she spent in pain, the Dowagiac resident said she is looking forward to the years ahead – pain free.
“Everyone needs to know what a great surgeon Dr. Woods is,” said Karen. “I’m so thankful this procedure is available in our area and that I was able to remain close to home.”