"Lakewood Hospital is really a hidden jewel here on the West Side." - Jon Groza

 

Ask anyone who has suffered a herniated disc, and they’ll probably tell you it’s excruciating. In fact, a herniated – or ruptured – disc in the lower back or neck can seriously affect one’s quality of life and hinder the performance of day-to-day activities.
 

The condition occurs when the cushion of tissue located between the vertebrae of your spine slips out of place, pinching and irritating the spinal nerves. “Lumbar (lower back) herniations are more common than their cervical (neck) counterparts,” explains Samuel R. Borsellino, M.D., Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon at Lakewood Hospital. “But there are many highly successful treatment options, both conservative and surgical, available to provide relief of the symptoms.”

Jon Groza, an Avon Lake resident and patient of Dr. Borsellino’s, knows first-hand how debilitating a herniated cervical disc can be. Although years of playing football – like his father, Cleveland Browns legend Lou “The Toe” Groza – caused degeneration in his neck, Jon actually ruptured a cervical disc while golfing in May.

“The initial pain was sudden and so intense,” he says. “I knew right away something was wrong and then it got increasingly worse during the next week with shooting pains down my arm and numbness. I’d say on a scale of one to ten, this pain was a 12.”

Thinking it might be a pulled muscle, Jon sought care from his primary care physician. When conservative treatments didn’t work and an MRI revealed the herniated disc, he was referred to Dr. Borsellino to explore a surgical option.

“We did a discectomy and fusion, which is a very common procedure with a good success rate,” says Dr. Borsellino. “It often brings immediate relief because we can remove the disc and free the nerve. Most patients are out of the hospital and back to their routines in 24 hours.”

Today, 90 percent of Jon’s pain is gone, and he couldn’t be happier with the results and the process. “This is an excellent example of a good business model at work,” he concludes. “My primary doctor referred me to an excellent specialist, and from there everything continued to work smoothly. There were no surprises and the whole team was capable, friendly, helpful and punctual – which is important to me. Lakewood Hospital is really a hidden jewel here on the West Side.”

For more information about the treatment of cervical disc herniations, call the Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute at Lakewood Hospital at 216-529-7110.