Sweet Relief After Easing Chronic Back Pain
July 22, 2024
2 minute read
A math teacher at Brookfield Academy, Jenny Neuenschwander had always looked forward to chaperoning students on a trip to Europe. But excruciating lower back and right leg pain made the March 2023 trip to France and Germany unbearable.
Jenny, 48, has struggled with back pain for more than 20 years. Originally, she was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease.
“For years, my back would go out every three months or so, and I would rehab it myself,” she said.
Gradually, things got worse. She was referred to physical therapy and prescribed steroids and anti-inflammatory medicine to get through the trip. Nothing helped.
“It had gone too far at that point,” Jenny said. “I was broken.”
After returning from the trip, she went to Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin West Bend Health Center and consulted with Jacob Pfeiffer, DO, physical medicine and rehabilitation physician and MCW faculty member.
“We performed an MRI of the spine, which showed a large L4-5 disc herniation,” Dr. Pfeiffer said. “It was ultimately decided she would benefit most from an evaluation by one of our spine surgeons.”
Jenny was referred to John Wanner, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and MCW faculty member.
“We discussed nonoperative treatment options, but because these more conservative measures weren’t working, we decided to move forward with surgery,” Dr. Wanner said.
The outpatient surgery in May 2023 at Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital went well. Dr. Wanner removed a large disc fragment that was pressing on Jenny’s nerve.
“For decades, I was in pain and literally two hours later it was fixed,” Jenny said.
“She felt miserable before the surgery,” Dr. Wanner said. “After surgery, she felt immediate relief.”
Following the procedure, she could walk and do most daily activities, but Dr. Wanner restricted “BLTs,” or bending, lifting and twisting, to avoid the disc herniating again. Most restrictions were lifted after 12 weeks.
The improvement has been life changing. “Every morning, I get out of bed and I’m not in pain,” Jenny said. “It feels like a miracle.”
Our spine specialists offer conservative and surgical treatments. Visit froedtert.com/spine-care to learn more. For a new patient appointment or a second opinion, call 414-955-7199.
