At 53 I had a spinal fusion surgery done between L-4 and L-5 by Dr. David Matusz. I play to an 8 handicap in golf and I used to be a runner – not like Ironman Chris – and before the surgery I had 2 weeks earlier finished my 8th Century Bicycle ride (100 miles in a day). Biking relieved the stenosis pressure on my lower spine. I was able to ride 100 miles – forget golf and running – and I couldn’t walk down the block without pain and numbness in my legs.
As soon as I woke up after the procedure – five titanium screws, four of which are holding two titanium posts in place, a carbon fiber disc and a bone graft which blanketed the posterior of L-4 and L-5, I immediately knew I was alright. I was literally on my feet less than 24 hours after the procedure. I stood up out of my hospital bed – catheter and IV’s in place – and shook hands with David Matusz when he made his rounds the next morning. Shoulda seen his face.
“Now what doc?”
“Go see Chris Johnson and get back into it.”
After about two weeks of recuperation I started going to Chris twice a week for the next two and then three times a week for the next four. Chris focuses on your core strength which comes from the abdomen. Inner strength. That makes everything strong. He knows this from being a Triathlete and an Ironman.
Six months later my wife and I rode the Erie Canal Bike Trail. We rode 401 miles over 8 days. I credit David for great surgery and Chris for getting me back on my feet so quickly after this major operation. Just do what he says when you’re in PT with him and it works.
I lost a little money on the golf course last weekend to my buddies but it wasn’t his fault. I had the low round but I gave away too many strokes in handicapping. I was not discounted by my friends even though I’d just ridden my bike 110 miles through the Hudson Valley a week earlier. Oh, I’ll get the dollars back, trust me.
Thanks David and Chris!
John McIntosh
Editor, Remedy Magazine.
