48-year-old Mr. Mark William, a Dutch citizen, finally walked pain free after 1 year, post a successful minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery at FUH’s Surgical Institute.
In pain for over a year, Mr. Mark had forgotten what it feels like to walk without frequently stopping or sitting because of pain. “I could not walk for more than 5 minutes,” said Mr. Mark.
He led a healthy and active lifestyle which was severely disrupted because of the severity of pain and impact on his mobility. Having tried various treatment modalities including physiotherapy and pain medication, Mr. Mark was desperate to seek a permanent solution for his health condition. Once a resident of the Middle East, Mr. Mark thought it best to seek medical assistance in this region as he believes the quality of healthcare is exceptional here.
His search led him to Dr. Tommaso Tufo, Lead Consultant Neurosurgeon – Brain & Spine, Fakeeh University Hospital. A teleconsultation with Dr. Tommaso Tufo, resulted in his arrival to Dubai – within 2 days of which his surgery was booked and completed.
“I went from being unable to walk pain free for more than 5 minutes to sightseeing around Dubai after discharge. That's how I felt after surgery – relieved, pain free and excited to start a new phase of life since I had full mobility. The surgery and Dr. Tommaso Tufo changed my life,” said Mr. Mark William, who’s now back in his home country.
Dr. Tommaso Tufo identified that Mr. Mark suffered from lumbar stenosis, narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back with nerve compression. This had reduced the strength in his legs, and as a result, he could not walk for an extended time without pain.
“Mark came to me complaining of severe pain in his back and legs. Lumbar or spinal stenosis is usually caused due to aging of the spine and is not correlated to a person’s age. Surgery is the preferred choice when medication and physical therapy do not offer any relief. Hence, we performed a Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression surgery to treat his compressed nerves in the lower spine. The post-surgery results were positive, and he walked pain free the next day,” said Dr. Tommaso Tufo.
Discharged within 2 days, Mr. Mark left the hospital with a new zest for life. He stayed in the city three days post-surgery to experience Dubai and walk around the city like he has never.
Fakeeh University Hospital’s Surgical Institute has a team of highly skilled surgeons and neurosurgeons who examine your healthcare risks and provide you with successful outcomes. Customized treatment plans, minimally invasive surgical options and faster recovery are some of the key highlights of the Surgical Institute.
The lumbar spine (lower back) is made up of five vertebrae located in the lower section of the spine, between the ribs and the pelvis. Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal column that compresses the nerves going from the lower back to the legs. Due to developmental reasons, this may affect younger patients, although it is most commonly a degenerative condition that strikes adults who are generally 60 years of age and older, but can be present in the young population too.
The spinal canal normally narrows gradually over many years or decades, or in some cases, the spinal canal is smaller compared to normal. With time, the discs lose some of their flexibility, which lowers their height and may lead to the bulging of a hardened disc into the spinal canal. Additionally, ligaments may stiffen, and bone spurs may develop. All these factors can lead to central canal narrowing and may or may not manifest in symptoms. Surgery can make additional room inside the spine. This can reduce the symptoms brought on by strain on the spinal cord or nerves.
