Hi @bussel - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. The job you've had sounds extremely admirable. I'm terribly sorry to hear you've also gotten injured working with this population over time.

I'm also sorry to hear about your wife's health.

I wanted to let you know I moved your post here so that you could chat with others already talking about TOPS surgery and get their input on this procedure. Please meet @ou14mejc @day0718 @annie1 libertyusa @libertyusa and others here.

You mentioned your vertebrae injury has affected your day to day life and taking care of your wife. What motions or positions are you finding especially difficult?