Roanoke woman finds back pain relief with unique technique

By: Karen McNew | WSLS
Published: January 19, 2012

ROANOKE, VA --

This X-Ray image shows more than a crooked spine it shows the source of pain for debra bright that had become more than frustrating.

She says, "You go to bed with pain you get up with pain and that is not normal that is a signal that something is wrong."

She came to Carilion Clinic Orthopaedic surgeon doctor Jon Carmouche for relief who is one of a handful of people in Virginia using a relatively new technique to fuse a person's spine together.

Dr. Carmouche says, "It is very common degenerative condition kind of like arthritis in the hip or the knee it is a wear and tear type problem that tends to progress over time tends to show up more common women in that 40-60 age range."

This surgery uses an implant to help support her spine.

Dr. Carmouche says, "This should serve as a scaffold or lattice work and then have her bone grow through it takes a few months to happen."

There were three goals with the surgery:

Stabilize the spine

Straighten the spine and to

Relieve pressure on root nerves in the area that was causing the pain

Just a few weeks after surgery Debra says she feels better already, "I just believe in the power of that prayer and my faith i ve done great i'm just pleased."

Dr. Carmouche says, "It is very predictable in terms of healing and how operation usually goes."

Link to more about the procedure and Dr. Jonathan Carmouche