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Article Category: PeopleCare

UlyssesCare

Getting back in action after spine surgery

Published on March 11, 2022

Last updated 02:33 PM December 14, 2022

Ulysses Price holding a tennis racquet.

If you looked up the word “active” in the dictionary, you just might find Ulysses Price’s picture.

Between serving on the tennis court, racking up strikes in bowling and learning new moves in martial arts, he defines life by what brings him the most joy: movement.

But all that changed when severe neck and shoulder pain entered the picture. Ulysses could barely do a double take let alone hold play doubles on the court.

“Not being able to do simple things like reach for a bowl in the cupboard or turn my neck were big limitations in my life,” Ulysses said. “I tried to tough it out. But when the pain was non-stop, that’s when I decided I needed medical attention.”

Ulysses turned to Wellstar’s neuro experts to help him take control of his health. Now, after a state-of-the-art neck procedure, Ulysses is back in action and doing his favorite activities — even better than before.

From diagnosis to surgery and recovery, Ulysses formed a lasting partnership with his Wellstar care team and knows he can face any health hurdle with confidence.

Health providers who have your back

When pain became a constant part of Ulysses’ life, he sought help from his Wellstar primary care provider.

Ulysses' provider took his pain seriously. After an MRI revealed a serious spinal issue, he connected Ulysses with expert neuro care at Wellstar right away.

That’s when Wellstar Neurosurgeon Dr. Phillip Parry joined the team, determined to help put an end to Ulysses’ pain. Dr. Parry stressed how important primary care providers are when it comes to keeping a keen eye out for potential medical issues.

“The value of having a primary care provider who can identify neck and low back pain cannot be overstated,” Dr. Parry said. “Having these conditions addressed early by the right specialists is extremely important.”

Catching neurological conditions at the start is key to helping patients have the best outcome possible. The same was true for Ulysses, whose spine issues were interfering with his everyday life.

“Ulysses had a narrowing in the cervical canal of his cervical spine, the bony portion through which the spinal cord is transmitted,” Dr. Parry said. “As we age, virtually all patients develop some amount of this compression.”

“In Ulysses’ case, his spinal compression had become so severe that it was causing spinal cord dysfunction,” Dr. Parry explained. “His condition resulted in weakness in his hands, being unable to walk with confidence and feeling very unstable on his feet.”

Working together, the pair discussed the potential treatment options for his pain. Because Dr. Parry always kept an open dialogue, Ulysses felt comfortable being an active participant in his care.

“I always try to be proactive about any medical procedure and do my research to know as much about it as possible,” Ulysses said, sharing how Dr. Parry took time to answer his questions. “Dr. Parry listened and spoke with me about the most up-to-date procedures, and that made me quite comfortable with him as a person and a physician.”

Soon, they created a care plan that would help Ulysses live his healthiest life for years to come.

After the surgery, I felt like a human being again — like I could go out and do things and not be in pain. I feel whole again.

- Ulysses Price

Wellstar Neuro Care Patient

State-of-the-art spine surgery

Our neuro experts work with patients to find personalized solutions for their pain, whether it requires a surgical intervention or not. Due to the severity of Ulysses’ spine issues and lifestyle, surgery made sense.

“Ulysses is an incredibly active person. His ability to do all the things that made his life meaningful — like playing tennis, running 5Ks and traveling — was negatively impacted by neck pain and cervical spinal cord compression,” Dr. Parry said.

“Given the amount of neurological dysfunction he was experiencing, surgery was the appropriate next step in his situation,” Dr. Parry explained how the procedure was the right choice.

To correct the issue, Ulysses received an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center.

For this procedure, a neurosurgeon performs the surgery through the front of the neck and removes the damaged discs. The impaired discs are replaced with bone grafts and fastened in place with a plate and screws.

This cutting-edge surgery helps relieve pressure in the spine and can alleviate other symptoms like pain, weakness, tingling and numbness.

“We were able to perform the procedure in a minimally-invasive fashion with maximal positive impacts to his overall condition,” Dr. Parry added.

“Minimally-invasive surgery focuses on small incisions which allows for fantastic post-operative results, while also lessening the damage to the area, blood loss and the amount of post-operative pain,” Dr. Parry said, explaining the benefits to less invasive procedures.

“In Ulysses’ case, he was up and walking the same day as surgery and discharged the next day,” Dr. Parry added.

It wasn’t just the expert care that made the difference in Ulysses’ healing and recovery. He found comfort and support from his Wellstar team every step of the way.

“I was very happy to have Dr. Parry on my team,” Ulysses said, sharing his positive experience. “He put me totally at ease and told me exactly what would happen, so I knew what to expect.”

“All of the nurses and caretakers were also very attentive,” he said. “They took time to explain all of my medications and everything that was required for recovery like how to sit with my neck to avoid any complications.”

Because of the cutting-edge, minimally-invasive techniques used in the surgery, his recovery time was quicker compared to other types of traditional open procedures. For Ulysses, that meant getting back to living a full life, faster.

Stopping pain in its tracks

Since the surgery, Ulysses’ recovery has been nothing short of remarkable. Rehabilitation has helped rebuild and enhance his ability to do daily activities.

“Physical and occupational therapy allowed Ulysses to regain confidence in his walking ability as well as regain strength in his hands and arms,” Dr. Parry said.

Since then, Ulysses has been on the mend and taking major strides towards healing. The life-changing surgery gave Ulysses a fresh start, allowing him to pursue all of his passions, pain-free.

“Before the surgery, I had a lack of mobility and lost range of motion in my arm. It was down to about 20 percent,” Ulysses said. “After the surgery, I was able to do all the simple things again. I can do all my hobbies just as well or better than before the surgery.”

“Identifying Ulysses’ condition early and having surgery to correct the problems he was experiencing, resulted in a near complete resolution of his symptoms and return to a better quality of life,” Dr. Parry added.

During each step of his recovery, he’s gotten many aspects of his life back again, too.

“After the surgery, I felt like a human being again — like I could go out and do things and not be in pain,” Ulysses said, sharing how the surgery impacted his quality of life. “I realized how blessed and happy I was to just feel ‘normal’ again.”

Wellstar knows treating complex neck and spine issues aren’t just about the pain. It’s about helping people live life again like Ulysses is doing today.

“I feel whole again.”

Tags

Phillip Vaughan Parry Sr Kennestone Regional Medical Center Neuro Care
PeopleCare Primary Care
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About 1 in 6 Black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 8 white men, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Black men.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men at an average risk of developing prostate cancer begin screening when they are 50, but Black men should start earlier—at age 45 if they have no family history of prostate cancer, and at age 40 if any of their male relatives have had prostate cancer. Wellstar takes a personalized approach to cancer screenings, with clinicians discussing benefits versus risks of screening and helping patients evaluate their risk.

“Despite many physicians being aware of this and following this practice, Black men continue to be diagnosed with and die from metastatic prostate cancer. This is a trend that desperately needs to be reversed,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Earl Stewart. “We have adequate screening tools that do not even require a digital rectal examination.”

The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is more accurate than the digital rectal examination in helping to detect prostate cancer, according to Dr. Stewart. Patients should also discuss family history with their relatives. “Patients knowing their family history is so crucial in having those discussions with primary care physicians to determine the best age at which to start screening,” Dr. Stewart said.

Screening for prostate cancer is as simple as making a preventive appointment with your primary care physician, discussing your family history with him or her, and having a PSA blood test. This test may be performed during an annual physical or wellness visit. Shared decision making between physician and patient is important to discuss your risk, your need for testing and next steps to take if your PSA level is elevated and concerning. Knowing your risk can save your life.

“I know many personally who are near and dear to me who had the disease and who unfortunately died from complications of metastatic prostate cancer,” Dr. Stewart said. “I know many more who lived because they had the conversation and dared to move forward with appropriate screening at the appropriate age.”

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If you’re a sports fan, you’re probably glued to every game, rooting for your team and analyzing every play. But are you as vigilant with your own health? 

In addition to knowing your health stats—those important numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar—you should also watch for health conditions that more commonly impact men. 

An annual physical gives you the opportunity to ask your clinician questions about your health, and you’ll get a few quick, crucial health screenings that can catch issues early and put you on track for staying well.

“See your primary care provider at least once a year to check in on your well-being and stay up to date on essential screenings you may need,” said Wellstar Primary Care Physician Dr. Facia Dew. “Your provider will customize care based on your health history, age and other factors to help you feel your best.”

Take action against illness

Some illnesses are more likely to affect men than women, so men should be especially mindful about taking steps to prevent these issues:

Lung cancer

Men are slightly more likely to get lung cancer—the lifetime risk for men is 1 in 17, while it’s 1 in 18 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. Black men are about 12% more likely to develop lung cancer compared to white men. Decrease your risk of lung cancer by avoiding smoking.

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Kidney stones

The risk of kidney stones is about 11% in men and 9% in women, according to the National Kidney Foundation. You can reduce your risk of kidney stones by staying hydrated and eating a low-sugar, low-sodium diet. Your care team can help you evaluate your risk factors, including personal and family history, obesity and being 40 or older. 

Prostate cancer

While all men are at risk for prostate cancer, Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer and are more commonly affected at younger ages. Men who are 50 or older should ask their doctor about testing, and Black men should discuss testing with their care team at age 45. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, you should also consider screenings at a younger age, and your healthcare professional will discuss options with you. 

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According to Wellstar Urologist Dr. Scott Miller, men need to stay active and stay away from smoking. He also noted a few lifestyle changes that are sometimes overlooked can make a difference in how you feel.

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That’s what PeopleCare is all about.

Because we know preventative care plays a major role in staying healthy, our primary care providers (PCPs) will build a PeopleCare plan just for you.

Your PeopleCare plan is your unique blueprint for better health. It doesn’t look like anyone else’s. PCPs create tailored treatment plans for each patient, based on your health concerns, family medical history and results from routine wellness exams.

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To schedule a primary care appointment, call (770) 956-STAR (7827) or click the “Book Now” button at the top of the page.

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