Christine Johnson

In 2000 I had emergency gallbladder surgery.  After the surgery was completed, the hospital staff transferred me from the gurney to the hospital bed.  The hospital bed collapsed.  I was still sedated when this occurred, basically a rag doll.  I remained on the bed after it collapsed.  Luckily my husband was present when this occurred.

After I was released from the hospital I had a bruise on my upper thigh and about a few days after I began to develop hip and leg pain.  I went to my family doctor who thought that I was just having muscle spasms.  Because I had radioactive dye x-rays were out of the question.  I had to wait for three weeks if the pain continued.  The pain continued and I was back in the office.  The x-rays did not show any problems with my lower back.  They gave me muscle relaxers which did nothing.  I was to the point that the pain in my hip and legs was getting worse.  I went back to my family doctor and after a thorough exam, he found that my lower back was tender and ordered an MRI.

The MRI showed a protruding disc that was against my nerve, not able to be seen on an x-ray.  I was then transferred to an Orthopedic Specialist.  According to the Orthopedic Specialist I should not be in pain because the protruding disc is small and there is nothing that can be done.  Because I was losing muscle tone he sent me to physical therapy.  Six months of physical therapy did not help.  This continued for several years, Orthopedic Specialists, more physical therapy, shots in the lower back and more Advil.  The only time I had relief was when they put me in traction.

Several years ago I began to develop shoulder and hand pain.  I had previously had Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, so I went back to the Orthopedic Surgeon, which of course they found nothing.  They gave me shots into my hands.  The pain went away.  This did not last very long.  I ended up seeing a Pain Management Specialist. This time I had an MRI on my neck and shoulder.  The MRI showed a degenerated disc in my neck and nothing in my shoulder.  The degenerated disc was just starting and again should not be giving me any pain.  I received another set of shots in my hands.  Once again the pain went away.

In the beginning of the year 2009 I began to develop severe pain in my lower back and down my legs.  Walking was beginning to become difficult.  Life was becoming difficult with the pain.  At this point I had no faith in doctors; I guess I was tired of being told there is nothing we can do.

My husband attended a seminar given by Dr. Z for the Penn Dot workers.  He began to see Dr. Z and spoke with him regarding my condition.  Dr. Z agreed to see me.  He examined me and sent me for x-rays.  We reviewed the x-rays and showed me actually what was going on.  My back was out of alignment and my neck and lower back contained a degenerated disc.  We began treatment right away.  We had a few setbacks with my neck.  Except several months later, I’m walking, sleeping, standing without pain!

I cook in chili and BBQ competition on the weekends.  This requires a lot of slicing and dicing, lifting and standing.  I can do it all without complications or pain.  I am very thankful to Dr. Z and his staff for being patient with me and for making me feel like a human being again.