The patients at Spine Associates share their stories about spine surgery, scoliosis correction and surgery, and conservative treatment for spine conditions such as degenerative disc disease, sciatica and herniated discs.

Prior to my surgery I was unable to complete normal daily activities such as sitting at my desk to walking in the park with my children, doing laundry, etc. Today, seven months later, I am walking a mile and a half with my kids three times a week in 20 minutes – pain free! This disc replacement surgery gave me my life back. Thank you Dr. Francis.

Without Dr. Francis, the quality of my life would not be what it is today. Before my procedure, I was bed-ridden and incapable of performing even the most routine of daily activities. Numbness in my toes and pain in my back and legs kept me from walking. Dr. Francis quickly diagnosed my condition and worked me into his busy schedule.

I had a ruptured disc and while I know that is minor as far as back injuries go, to me it was MAJOR. Dr. Francis never made me feel insignificant. I had expected impersonal service since he is a “specialist, but I am happy to report just the opposite. Dr. Francis is kind and compassionate, and his staff is as well. I hope I never need back surgery again, but if I do, I know where I’ll go for treatment!

I was so happily surprised at how well I feel. Dr. Francis gave me my life back. He and his staff have been so wonderful, starting from when I first saw the doctor through the surgery and all my follow-ups.

I first met Dr. Francis in July of 2004. I knew within minutes of talking to him that I had found the right spine surgeon. I had two previous surgeons and will no longer let anyone else touch my spine. I know I am in the hands of the BEST spine surgeon around. I had an anterior/posterior lumbar fusion in August of 2004. I will never forget my sister telling me that, after waiting at the hospital all day, Dr. Francis came out and said he had finished the posterior fusion but stopped due to the length of the surgery. He explained that he would finish the anterior fusion in a few days. My sister started crying and Dr. Francis asked her why. She said, “I don’t’ want to tell her that you couldn’t finish the surgery today.” Dr. Francis told her that I was in his hands and that HE would talk to me. Sure enough, he came to talk to me. As I cried, he held my hand and told me that everything would be fine and that he would take care of me. Like he said, he was there every step of the way. I just had all the hardware removed, and I am happy to say I haven’t felt this good in 15 years! Thanks to Dr. Francis for all his hard work. I am so happy to be in the hands of Dr. Francis and Spine Associates. You truly are the BEST!! You will always and forever be in my heart!! Thank you so much!!

I find Dr. Francis is very good at what he does. I recommend him to everyone. He is up front and straight to the point and also has a very caring staff. From my wife- I appreciate the kindness of Dr. Francis and his staff. They are very caring and polite people and the friendly atmosphere helps when you are in pain and discomfort. Dr. Francis did a great job with my husband’s surgery and in explaining the procedure and care for my husband after the surgery.

After a failed back surgery a year and a half ago, Richard Francis did surgery on me and got me back to work within a month, whereas the failed surgery had me out of work for four months, from which I never fully recovered until seeing Dr. Francis.

Dr. Francis changed my life doing surgery. I was in so much pain before my surgery and now, after my surgery, I have no more pain. I have not had to use a walker to walk and I have been able to walk straight and sit up straight! Dr. Francis is a miracle worker. If anyone has a back problem, Dr. Francis is the doctor to see. He is a miracle worker and if I ever have another back problem, I would come back to see him again.

I am able to do more after surgery than before, including simple tasks such as crossing my legs.

I had severe leg pain in my right leg; had surgery on Friday morning August 13, 2010 and by 2:30 in the afternoon that same day I was up and walking around the hospital hallways. The pain in my right leg was gone. My recovery at home has been great. I feel wonderful and I am 110% better.

This was my first visit, but since I will have surgery I will be returning for follow up visits afterward. I was nervous before my appointment, but by the end of my visit I am feeling just fine. Everyone here is kind to you. Even though they were all really busy, everyone had a smile and always stopped what they were doing to answer a question and they make you feel like you really mattered. All of the girls were just so nice. What a team!!

I’ve suffered for over 2 1/2 months with my middle and index finger having tingling, numbness, throbbing and burning sensations. The pain in my fingers were unbearable. I underwent surgery on July 14, 2010 by another surgeon. However, this surgery did not correct my problem. I was still in much pain. It was on July 27, 2010 when I learned about Dr. Francis and his wonderful staff. Dr. Francis agreed to evaluate me the same day that I called in for an appointment. It was this day that changed my life; I knew that I had come to the right doctor. Dr. Francis was truly God sent. Dr. Francis was very knowledgeable. He educated me on my condition, which made my confidence level in his ability to treat me extremely high. Dr. Francis performed surgery on me the following day after evaluating me. Again, after being in so much pain and I had just underwent surgery two weeks prior, he made me feel very relaxed and assured. Today I am pain-free – Thank you God for giving Dr. Francis the gift of making patients feel better.

Lower Lumbar Fusion Surgery This was the best thing I have ever done. I suffered with chronic back pain for over 20 years. Being in the Army, they didn’t really do anything for me except prescribe Motrin. I was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease in 1997, and still nothing was done. I retired from the Army in 2004 and moved to Houston in 2009. My PCP (primary care physician) recommended Dr. Richard Francis for my back troubles and after a series of exams I underwent Lower Lumbar Fusion Surgery. I am now pain-free for the first time in decades. Dr. Francis and his staff are very caring and I highly recommend him as a spine specialist and surgeon.

I was in excruciating pain in my right shoulder and arm for 6 months. I had tried all of the over-the-counter meds on the shelf. I was seen by Dr. Francis and he ordered a MRI which showed that I had a fractured neck in C-5 – C-6 vertebrae. He took me into surgery the next morning. When I came out of surgery the pain in my right shoulder and arm was gone. I had pain only at the surgery site. Dr. Francis is a great doctor. He solved my problems, has gotten me back to work and able to provide for my family without complaints or problems. Foundation Surgical Hospital treated my family and I very well. I would recommend Dr. Francis to everyone that I know that needs to see a surgeon!! Dr. Francis is God sent!!!

I, Viola Lane, was in constant pain for a year. I went from one doctor to the next trying to find out what was wrong. I finally came across Dr. Francis, who truly saved my life after I had given up hope. He is a wonderful and talented doctor, and everything that they say about him is truly real. I cannot thank him enough! I am happy and safe in his care.

Dr. Richard R.M. Francis has given me my life back. I wasn’t able to walk before he did both lumbar and cervical surgery. It has been one year since my surgery and now I am able to walk and jog. His staff has been so helpful and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet. True professionals. Dr. Francis, God bless you and the talent that you have been given.

Dr. Francis is a great doctor. My back pain was horrible and now I am nearly pain-free. I would cry from the terrible pain in my lower back and right leg. Now I can go fishing in a boat, walk upstairs and walk 2 to 3 miles per day and have no pain. Thanks Dr. Francis!

I thank the good Lord for Dr. Francis. I am very pleased with the outcome of my back surgery. I have talked about Dr. Francis to anyone who has asked me about who did my back surgery. He did a beautiful job on my hips and back. I can walk around the track now. I would recommend Dr. Francis to do your back surgery if it’s needed. Dr. Francis will always be in my heart forever.