Spinal Stenosis | Tewabech's Story
Used to not be able to walk more than 10 steps without severe pain, Mrs. Tewabech, 81-year-old Ethiopian now is overjoyed to regain her mobility after undergoing spinal fusion surgery with Dr. Wicharn Yingsakmongkol’s team at BNH Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
Basic movements can turn into a struggle when back pain sets in
Tewabech had been battling lower back pain and right-sided sciatica for five years, with her symptoms worsening significantly in the last nine months. The pain radiated to her buttock and leg, coupled with moderate stiffness, numbness, and weakness. Simple activities like standing or walking exacerbated her pain, severely limiting her mobility. Despite trying various conservative treatments, including oral medications, steroid injections, and physiotherapy, she found no significant relief.
At the point that nights were particularly challenging for Tewabech, as the pain disrupted her sleep, she realized that the spine surgery may be required despite of her age.
According to Professor Wicharn Yingsakmongkol (light blue shirt), age should not act as an obstacle in evaluating spinal surgical possibilities.
A minimally invasive approach for elderly patients
Tewabech learned about BNH through a friend who had a successful experience there. At first, she felt uncertain and asked her son to research the hospital and its medical team thoroughly before making the significant decision to travel over eight hours from her hometown to Bangkok. “This is undoubtedly the right decision,” her son stated. “We are very impressed with how the entire team, Dr. Wicharn, Dr. Arthit, and all the nurses and staff—has been caring for my mom.”
After a thorough evaluation, Dr. Wicharn identified the primary issue as spinal stenosis in the lumbar region, stemming from her lumbar spondylosis and herniated discs. He determined that her situation exceeded the limits of conservative treatment. “It is commonly thought that conservative approaches are best for elderly patients due to the increased surgical risks and lower success rates. However, age should not restrict the option of surgery.”
The surgical procedure known as Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF) was selected for Tewabech following a thorough assessment of the associated risks and benefits by Dr. Wicharn’s team. This technique involves the surgeon making an incision through a narrow tube positioned along the side of the patient’s torso, utilizing a device to separate the muscle layers. This approach minimizes damage to the back muscles, results in minimal blood loss, and decreases the likelihood of nerve injury during the operation. Additionally, percutaneous pedicle screw fixation was performed to offer further support for Tewabech.
A grateful patient
After the surgery, Tewabech’s health showed significant improvement. She gained better mobility, experienced less numbness, and, most importantly, her sleep quality has greatly enhanced.
“If any friends or family members require medical attention, we would certainly recommend BNH Hospital. We are very satisfied now and truly appreciate the entire team’s efforts,” Tewabech expressed.
Kindly be informed that:
- Results and Recovery time vary from case to case. Our patients’ stories does not represent or guarantee any specific result/outcome in other cases.
- Our patients who share their stories here are unpaid speakers.
- We strongly recommend that you should consult with our specialist before deciding to choose any kind of treatment for your condition.
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