I’ve experienced back pain since junior high. I was accustomed to having my back “go out” and get better in a few days. These episodes lasted into my 40’s. An increasingly constant back pain that began radiating deep into my right leg and foot was making it difficult for me to work and impossible for me to ride in the car longer than 15 minutes. I couldn’t sleep. I avoided going out. Frustrated with treatment options that only included more pain medicine, I insisted on an MRI. The test revealed a significantly herniated disc that was pressing on a nerve and causing the back and leg pain.

I tried a focused injection for pain, but it didn’t work. My next step was meeting with Dr. Trevor Schmitz at Iowa Ortho to discuss back surgery. The idea of having back surgery made me very nervous. Dr. Schmitz was the first doctor to take the time to review the MRI with me and took the time to explain what I was seeing and feeling. After the discussion, we scheduled back surgery, a discectomy, to remove the herniated portion of the disc. My relief after the surgery was immediate. I walked out of the hospital with no pain. After a brief round of physical therapy and short time off work I was able to resume my normal activities.

My surgery was in 2017. In 2018 my husband and I were able to take a long-planned trip to New Zealand and Australia to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Before the surgery, I couldn’t have made the 15+ hour flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Post-surgery, the flight was no problem. We rode four wheelers around a mountainous island, hiked up a dormant volcano and covered miles on foot. All with no pain.

Throughout the process, I appreciated Dr. Schmitz’s skill, his genuine level of care and concern and his ability to explain things clearly and thoroughly. I never felt rushed during appointments or before or after the surgery. He always made sure my questions and concerns were fully answered and addressed. Thank you to Dr. Schmitz and the Iowa Ortho team for the excellent care, and for helping me, literally, get back on my feet!