Spine Surgery Leads to Leg and Back Pain Relief

Ric Rentfro, 70, is no stranger to Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences Center. For 15 years he has sought treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

But during an appointment with his neurologist, Danette C. Taylor, DO, Ric told her about his persistent lower back pain and sciatica problem.

“I could hardly walk,” he recalled. “The pain was so intense that Dr. Taylor referred me to Neurosurgeon Dr. Steve Klafeta.”

Ric’s problem was revealed when he met with Dr. Klafeta following an MRI of his spine.

“I remember he said to me, ‘Your back is a mess.’ I had a lot of arthritis. Dr. Klafeta said he could do something about the sciatica, but there was no way to completely eliminate the lower back pain because of my arthritis. He would do his best.”

Ric had always been physically active, which worked in his favor. He wanted to maintain his mobility, so he agreed to the spine surgery, which took place in August 2020.

The Team

“Dr. Klafeta’s team is amazing,” said Ric. “Dr. Klafeta is a very direct person, and he explained that the surgery is serious business.”

The team consists of three professionals in addition to Dr. Klafeta.

Neurosurgical Nurse Becky Clark serves as a nurse navigator. She handles outpatient scheduling, medical clearance, and is a point person for all issues that patients may have.

Thirty days prior to surgery, patients must receive pre-operative clearance for anesthesia by their primary care physician and any specialists they may see.

“Becky helped me get ready for surgery by getting the clearances,” Ric said. “She also gave me instructions on the type of medicines I could take before the surgery, like my Parkinson’s medication.”

“Certified Medical Assistant Cheri Harris-Becker handles the paperwork and schedules tests for our patients. She is also the first in-person contact for the team. During the initial office visit, as well as all follow up and post-operative appointments, she is responsible for documenting initial and updated patient statuses,” said Dr. Klafeta.

“Aaron Poquette, PA, has a great sense of humor,” said Ric. Aaron is involved with all the surgeries of the patients, and he rounds with the doctor in the hospital. Patients with fusions typically have three follow-up appointments in the first six months after surgery. “Aaron sees the patients for their postoperative appointments.” Dr. Klafeta added.

The Procedure

The spine surgery Ric underwent was an L2-L5 laminectomy with fusion. His MRI showed a lot of arthritis that was compressing the spinal nerves. The fusion part of the surgery involves placing bone graft around the spine to connect the bones, along with screws and rods to stabilize the spine. Over time, the bone graft becomes solid bone.

“Lumbar decompression and fusion surgeries are common and safe.” said Dr. Klafeta. “They are protocol driven —everything is set up to help the patient recover. Patients generally do well and are glad that they had it.”

Dr. Klafeta tells patients to exhaust conservative treatments for pain before they even think about spinal surgery — unless they have something dangerous, such as a crushed spinal cord.

He explained, “If you are dealing with pain or arthritis conditions, you need to try physical therapy, chiropractic therapy, steroid injections, a pain clinic, or medications, prior to considering surgery. Surgery is an option when all other treatments fail.”

It is important for patients to understand an important distinction regarding spine surgery that separates it from other bone surgeries, such as joint replacement.

“Spine surgery is not like hip surgery, where nothing may go wrong with the hip for many years or decades. With spine surgery, it is important to remember that the remainder of a patient’s spine that was not treated could later become arthritic. When it comes to prognosis, the statistics are in favor of most patients undergoing the type of surgery Ric had. Only 10 percent of patients will need to have some additional treatment for another part of their spine in the next 10-20 years following this type of surgery.”

The Results

Ric’s surgery was a success. “I had instant relief from my sciatica,” said Ric. “I was a new person when I woke up.”

As for his lower back pain, he shared, “The surgery helped my lower back pain but didn’t totally eliminate it.”

The Rentfros live near Battle Creek, so while Ric spent three nights in the hospital, his wife stayed at Sophia’s House, right on the Trinity Health Grand Rapids campus.

“My nursing care was excellent.,” he said. “There were a lot of things they had to do for me. It was very modern surgical care.”

Following discharge, Ric completed physical therapy in Battle Creek rather than making the drive to Grand Rapids.

Now more than two years later, Ric said this about Trinity Health: “I have told various people over the years who have spine problems to go and talk to Dr. Klafeta. He and his team did a good job for my back.”

To learn more about how Trinity Health can help you with your back issues, visit www.TrinityHealthMI.org/Spine