[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/spine-center-bobs-story\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/spine-center-bobs-story\/","headline":"The UPMC Passavant Spine Center: A Life Restored After Back Surgery","name":"The UPMC Passavant Spine Center: A Life Restored After Back Surgery","description":"UPMC Passavant\u2019s innovative spine program is a regional leader in the treatment of complex back and neck problems. Located in the UPMC Outpatient Center on Perry Highway in Wexford, the UPMC Passavant Spine Center brings together experts from multiple specialties to provide comprehensive care in one convenient location. For 15 years, Bob Loftis endured on-and-off […]","datePublished":"2020-08-04","dateModified":"2020-08-11","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery\/spine","name":"Spine Health","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/neurosurgery\/spine","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/spine-health\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/iStock-1176334519.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/iStock-1176334519.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/spine-center-bobs-story\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Spine Health"],"wordCount":463,"articleBody":"UPMC Passavant\u2019s innovative spine program is a regional leader in the treatment of complex back and neck problems. Located in the UPMC Outpatient Center on Perry Highway in Wexford, the UPMC Passavant Spine Center brings together experts from multiple specialties to provide comprehensive care in one convenient location.For 15 years, Bob Loftis endured on-and-off sciatica pain that made it difficult for him to walk. The Bridgeville resident usually \u2018toughed it out,\u2019 waiting for the pain shooting down his leg to subside.But last fall was different: the pain never went away. The normally active retiree and avid Penn State football fan could barely move. For three consecutive home games, he drove to State College to tailgate with family and friends but couldn\u2019t walk into the stadium to watch the games. \u201cThe pain was unbearable,\u201d says Bob. \u201cOne night, I was on my hands and knees crying while crawling to the bathroom.\u201d A Dangerous ConditionHe sought help at an urgent care and a local emergency room, but the pain continued. A visit to a chiropractor brought some relief, but the pain quickly returned. At the urging of his chiropractor, he made an appointment with Matt El-Kadi, MD, PhD, FACS, chief of neurosurgery at UPMC Passavant and director of the UPMC Passavant Spine Center.An MRI showed that Bob\u2019s sciatic pain was caused by a herniated disk. It also revealed a dangerous large bone fragment that could lead to bladder and bowel dysfunction. It also could potentially lodge in his spine and cause paralysis. Dr. El-Kadi recommended immediate surgery to remove the bone and repair the disk.\u201cMost patients can be treated successfully with conservative measures, such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medicine, and injections,\u201d says Dr. El-Kadi. \u201cWe always start with the least invasive approach to alleviate pain, weakness, or numbness without surgery. But in this case, surgery was essential.\u201dBob agreed. \u201cDr. El-Kadi put his hand on my shoulder and said, \u2018Everything will be fine.\u2019\u201d Bob said. A Grateful PatientOn March 19, Bob underwent surgery at UPMC Passavant\u2019s surgical pavilion, where three state-of-the-art operating rooms are used exclusively for spinal surgery. He returned home that afternoon. \u201cI immediately noticed the tingling, numbness, and pins and needles feeling in my leg were gone,\u201d says Bob. \u201cIt was like magic.\u201dWithin weeks, Bob was free to resume his activities. He was soon working in his yard, doing edging and spreading mulch.\u201cI\u2019m 100 percent better, pain free, and I can do anything I want,\u201d says Bob. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful to Dr. El-Kadi and all the staff at the UPMC Passavant Spine Center. They gave me my life back.\u201dFor more information about the UPMC Passavant Spine Center or to schedule an appointment, call 724-720-4500. Telemedicine appointments also are available."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2020","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The UPMC Passavant Spine Center: A Life Restored After Back Surgery","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2020\/08\/spine-center-bobs-story\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]