Patient Testimonials

I am an active person, usually not in significant pain. When I injured myself, my husband had to help me get out of bed, put on my shoes and help me walk. I had a ruptured disc involving the sciatic nerve, causing extreme pain down my left leg to my toes. I got in for an appointment quickly at TCO, had x-rays the same day and an MRI the next. When I saw Dr. Deal, he explained my injury which demonstrated weakness in my foot and toes, indicating probable nerve damage. He explained how this could very well become permanent if not dealt with soon, with surgery being the best fix. I had a discectomy with Dr. Deal about 10 days later. In pre-op, Dr. Deal and some of the surgical team stopped by to say hi and were very kind and reassuring. Since the surgery, my pain is gone and I have my life back. There is just a short, narrow scar along my spine. My surgery was August 20, 2019 and today is October 29th. Dr. Deal is a talented and concerned surgeon with his patients best interest in mind. He is also surrounded by capable and caring staff, especially his PA, Nate. You will be in good hands.

I have been a patient of Dr. Crowe for 24 years with history of degenerative disc disease. Over the years, Dr. Crowe has performed 3 laminectomies and even helped out with a nagging bunion. To his surprise, following each procedure, I returned back to my cubical at my employer sooner and sooner; far less time than anticipated for recovery. Over the years I would have discomfort in my lower back. I would have good and not so good pain level days. My go to was not narcotics, they just mask the pain. I learned to manage my discomfort by eating healthy nutrient foods, rich greens, proteins, staying active, using breathing relaxation and Tylenol when needed.

Over the past year I noticed a burning pain in my right leg when walking a short distance. Then 6 months ago the pain radiated to my left leg. Based on prior visits and conversations with Dr. Crowe, we often discussed fusion to help relieve my lower back discomfort.

The appointment that changed it all!
I was mentally prepared for spinal fusion, however, the x-ray revealed that I had arthritis in both hips; right far worse than left. Next step – hip replacement surgery. Wait! My mind wasn’t ready to hear hip replacement surgery.

Best decision!
Surgery completed on 9/12/2019. Saturday 9/14 I was walking 570 feet with a cane. Monday 9/16 I was walking 570 feet 2-3 times daily and only carrying my cane as a just in case. 9/18 no cane needed. With the ability to work from home during my recovery I started back to work full time 5 days after my surgery. By my 2 week follow-up I was climbing stairs with support of both legs. No, I’m not walking my prior pace just yet but will be very soon.

Shout Outs!
Dr. Crowe – couldn’t ask for a better surgeon. My daily pain level went from a 6-7 to 1-3, and will decrease more over time.

North Memorial Ambulatory Surgery Center – fantastic staff and team of nurses. Couldn’t ask for a better experience.

EXCEL program – highly recommend. Far better than a hospital setting for overnight stay.

Thank you Dr. Crowe, TCO, NMASC, EXCEL program and staff who assisted with my surgery and after care.
– Paula W.

I met Dr. Deal in 2015 when I started having upper leg pain. An MRI revealed some compound areas to watch but we both agreed on physical therapy. Towards the end of 2018, I started having lower leg and back pain. A new MRI was completed with an additional result of a cyst on my spine. On April 9th, I had L3-S1 lower anterior lumbar fusion and L3-S1 posterior lumbar fusion along with the removal of the cyst. Dr. Deal was very patient with my many questions and explained the procedure in terms I could understand. He made me feel comfortable about having this major surgery. My back and leg pain are gone and I am getting my strength back. I am really enjoying walking again. Dr. Deal is a gifted and skilled surgeon. He is compassionate and caring. I would highly recommend Dr. Deal. Thank you Dr. Deal and your wonderful staff at TCO.

I suffered for more than 20+ years from lower back pain, which radiated to both legs and feet, including burning nerve pain. 18 months ago, Dr. Davis performed a miracle for me! A 2 hour surgery, a band aid and a couple of stitches later – the compression was repaired! No pain in my legs, no nerve pain in my feet, was up and walking my dog the next morning! I am 68 years old, this was a miracle for me by an amazing surgeon. Thanks for my life back Dr. Davis.

Dr. Davis has been my doctor for 4+ years and I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for this fantastically skilled orthopedic surgeon, I wouldn’t be able to walk. Dr. Davis has performed three surgeries on my lower lumbar with amazing success of each one. Dr. Davis has earned my confidence throughout these processes with his honesty, precision, and care in exams and surgery. Dr. Davis’ skill and expertise truly blessed me with a miracle.

I struggled with gradually worsening sciatic pain over the last 10 years. It progressed to the point that a sharp, stabbing pain in my right gluteus, radiating down all the way to my right ankle, plagued me whenever I was bearing weight. Slowly, I was losing my ability to live my life. I retired from a nearly 30 year career in nursing because I could no longer do the work. Then, our family dog had to be given to my daughter because I could not walk him to the park, only a block away. I could no longer maintain my beloved flowerbeds. Cleaning the house became an impossible chore. Eventually, I could not even tolerate standing long enough to cook a meal. No amount of physical therapy or chiropractic measures seemed to be able to stem the tide. Pain was confining me to either my couch or my bed.

The final straw was a long-planned vacation to Ireland. My husband had to push me around Dublin in a wheelchair. At 53 years young, I could not accept living this way.

In my quest to end this downward spiral, I met Dr. Christian DuBois at TCO, who recognized the degeneration that had occurred in my spine. He performed a 2-level spinal fusion with replacement of the L4/L5 and L5/S1 discs in December of 2018. I was warned that pain relief would not be immediate and my recovery would be long. But when I first stood up after surgery, although sore from the surgical incision, my sciatic pain was gone. Because of how much better I felt, I progressed very quickly through my post-surgery physical therapy, which was also done with TCO.

I have a life again now. Already I’m able to do far more than I ever could a year ago. But my journey is not over! I will continue with TCO for my upcoming knee replacements this year, as there is nobody else with whom I would rather write the rest of my Comeback story.

Dear Dr. Crowe,

In August of 2012, I began working on my bachelor of arts degree in fashion designs. During this time, I had fallen on some ice. Not knowing how injured I was, I jumped up and went back to class. The pain in my leg began, but I was determined to get my degree; graduated in 2016. Before meeting Dr. Crowe, I had suffered with the most intense pain in my right leg for seven years. Due to this pain, it has prevented me from utilizing my degree; not being able to participate in Fashion week. Being a fashion designer is something I have dreamed of becoming since I was a little girl and now that I have had my surgery, I can finally live my childhood dream.

Thank you Dr. Crowe and Dr. Brianna Randall for giving me my life back.
Valerie B.