January 2026 spine surgeries - Let's hear the positive outcomes!

Hello Jenn,
Thanks for the info on your surgery. Sounds like you are making much progress in recovery. I appreciate hearing about what was done in the surgery the results you are having.
Jim R

Had spinal stenosis surgery 10 years ago (85 y.o.) with superb results. Now (95 y.o.) with severe spinal arthritis.
No cure for the arthritis, but my sincere thanks to Mayo for giving me this additional 10 years of good living.

@jennirdh Hello and happy new year. This is great news, very happy for you. Who was your doctor and which hospital? I also have leg and foot issues, not so much pain, but severe numbness. Had an XLIF surgery in Sept 2025, but no relief. Let me know, thank you!

@ccchang Hi there, I am happy to share that I was at Advent Health Orlando, and my surgeon was Dr Christopher Baker of Orlando Neurosurgery. I know two other patients of his that had successful outcomes with him. He reviews a person’s Imaging etc and then they let you know if he thinks he can help. I wish you the best, let us all know how you do!

@reddingjim scdf 3 level..November 11..not going great..surgical complications and woke with no vision in left eye. no answers..seeing another neurologist next week...at least im out of hard collar..soft at night..cant see csnt drive

I am 76 years old, and had 3 level laminectomy, L3, 4, and partial 5 on November 21 at Mayo Rochester with Dr Marsh. Fusion was not required. 15 years of increasing pain on either side of the sacrum was gone when I woke up from surgery. Foot numbness mostly gone. Twitching of calf muscles gone. I resumed ballroom dancing lessons last week which I had previously discontinued due to inability to stand more than five minutes without sitting. Last week’s lesson I could stand and move the entire hour. Resumed unrestricted walking, including back country trails, where before I had to frequently sit or lean up against something. I am still on a 25 pound lifting restriction until the end of January, but after that no restrictions. I’m looking forward to resuming cycling after that, as well as downhill skiing which Dr Marsh said I could do in the spring. I’m also a backyard beekeeper and can resume that activity with some modifications/adaptions. Without a doubt, I’m very pleased with the results.

I love hearing the positive outcomes!

I'm 3.5 years post surgery, fused from T4 to S1. Other than not being able to bend, I'm back to doing everything I used to do. Hiking, cross country skiing, down hill skiing, cycling, slow jogs. I feel like I got my life back.

The journey was long, but worth it!

I plan on having fusion surgery for C4-C5, C5-C6 cervical Radiculopathy with congenital foraminal spinal narrowing. My surgeon seems very trustworthy and I feel comfortable with him. He provided me with a second opinion after another surgeon said I wasn't the right fit for surgery because the unaffected areas of the spine could deteriorate due to the surgery. My current surgeon says this isn't necessarily true, because the unaffected areas will deteriorate anyway due to age (I'm late 40's, early 50's). Surgery is my last resort, I was diagnosed 8 years ago. I have had 2 pain injections and 3-4 physical therapy sessions. I take Tramadol to help me sleep, because that's all it does. I am allergic to NSAIDS, ibuprofen, gabapentin and pregabalin. I accept all prayers from well-meaning believers. My prayers are with those who are living in pain like me, as well as those who have negative surgery outcomes. May you be blessed to live pain-free. I will provide an update after my procedure, likely in the next couple of months.

@pacmanpost I’m impressed! You’re doing great! It’s amazing when spine surgery gives you your life back. Bee keeping… now that’s interesting and so vital. I also enjoy hiking and I own a horse and trail ride. I had a cervical fusion 9 years ago. I also like watching ballroom dancing.

@klsteffes
Hi I had the same surgery T4-S1. Very rare. I 2 .5 years out. And I am back to living again. Some bending is a bit challenging. But walking normally is great. I had a really easy recovery I was getting up from bed in 2 weeks in rehab nurses didn't like it to much. I think rehab right away really helped. And I think I was ready to get living again. Hope you continue to do great