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.

I suffered from horrible low back, hip and thigh pain for over 6 months. I was completely bed ridden for 5 months. Trying to go from my bed to the bathroom would cause me to cry. After exhausting every option, I spoke with Dr. Francis. I was terrified of getting a fusion, so I went for a second opinion. The other surgeon agreed and suggested a fusion as well. I left the second opinion surgeon’s office with my head spinning! I immediately made an appointment with Dr. Francis. I was very scared until he came and spent 45 minutes with me explaining the surgery and why it was my only option. I left his office calm and at peace about the fusion. His office staff answered questions and checked on me until the time of the surgery, I have enjoyed working with all of them. My biggest surprise during this entire ordeal is waking up after surgery and feeling that my original pain was gone! Completely gone!! At a week and a half Post-Op I was able to go shopping and walk and enjoy my life again. I am now 2 weeks Post-Op and I have spent 2 entire days Christmas shopping. My pain is now minimal and I only take small pain relievers, very rarely. I am so thankful to Dr. Francis and his staff. After 6 long months I have my life back! I can be a mom and a wife again. This is the best Christmas. This experience has also answered that long-standing myth that once you have back pain you will always have back pain. FALSE!! I now know that never again will I lose hours of my life to back pain and having to taking it easy. I will be able to live and enjoy every minute of my life. Dr. Francis you are my hero! Thanks for the awesome staff you have picked to make this short journey a reality and an easy road.

Surgery was great, no pain in my arm immediately after surgery. Dr. Francis is a great surgeon.

I suffered with back pain that was literally “killing me” with every step I took. I was confident that Dr. Francis and his staff could make things better for me. I decided to do the surgery and my husband and I both believe that this was the best decision I’ve ever made. Dr. Francis and his staff attended to my every need with compassion and skill. The surgery was a success. Now, I can walk again, live my life and continue doing the things that I have not been able to do in a long time. Thank you Dr. Francis. Words fall short of my thanks.

When I first came to see Dr. Francis about my back pain, I was incapacitated. I could not work, exercised or perform normal daily activities. At my first appointment, he said that I would be pain-free from the symptoms I was experiencing immediately after surgery, and he was right! Now, after six weeks of rigorous physical therapy, I’m as good as new and can do all of my activities. I highly recommend Dr. Francis and will return if I experience any spine problems in the future.

I, Frances Thibodeux, was in so much pain when I first came to see Dr. Francis. I could not wash my dishes or cook dinner, which was frustrating because it is just my husband and myself. I could not walk half a mile because I was in so much pain. Well, I saw Dr. Francis and he referred me to Dr. Chaudhry to have spine injections. I had two out of three and what a difference that made! I have no pain. I know in the future that if I have pain again I will definitely go see Dr. Francis and Dr. Chaudhry and I will tell everyone about these two great doctors.

I loved the staff and Dr. Francis. Everyone has been super nice and friendly! My hospital stay was also great. I would recommend this facility to everyone! Dr. Francis is wonderful. THANKS SO MUCH!

Before my surgery I could not walk without bending over and was in constant pain. I had to support my back with my hands in order to walk. Two years after surgery, I am completely healed and I can walk for miles without pain. The surgery was a success. Thank you Dr. Francis. You are my angel.

I had been suffering for 13 years due to a back injury. Dr. Francis knew with the first visit that he could help me. I have been to multiple doctors for my problem and he is the only one that actually did something for me. He, his staff and the hospital are the best of the best. God bless them all.

Dr. Francis is a wonderful doctor! He has a wonderful bedside manner and I would recommend him to the world. He is the best!! I have always been blessed with the very best surgeons. I have had twelve surgeries in my life. I will not let a doctor touch me unless he has been highly recommended by someone that has had the same surgery that I am having. He should be known all over the world. HE’S THE VERY BEST. No matter what question you ask, he has the answer! I thank my God for him! God Bless You Dr. Francis.

Dr. Francis is very meticulous and detailed. I have had previous back operations prior to this one, and this was by far the best. I would strongly recommend Dr. Francis to anyone with spinal problems, no matter how severe.

It has been a year and four months since my back surgery and this past weekend I unloaded and put down a full pallet of sod in my yard. Before Dr. Francis found and fixed my back problem I was using a cane to walk and at times a wheel chair. I just wanted to thank Dr. Francis and his staff for doing such a fine job and helping me live a normal life again.

If you ever experience a spine problem I would recommend Dr. Francis. He is a Super Doctor and he has a wonderful staff.

I could not walk, sit or lay down without pain. My leg was dragging and my back was in very bad shape. Now, thanks to Dr. Francis and his staff I am in awe about my ability to get around with out all of the pain. “Thank you” is really a small statement for what was done for me. The hospital was a 5 star hotel. Thank you & God Bless.

I was very, very proud of Dr. Francis’ work, keep it up! He is very friendly and has been very good to me. He also has a great staff.

After years of pain and missing out on enjoying life, I felt my options as far as conservative methods of helping my back were exhausted and it was time to do the 360 fusion Dr. Francis and I had talked about. Not only did Dr. Francis fix the pain, but he and his staff were kind, caring and attentive not just to me but my family as well. This is the most pain free I’ve been in over 20 years. I have total faith and trust in the entire team.

My experience with Spine Associates was great. Dr. Francis and his staff were wonderful. After my surgery, my experience at the hospital was outstanding. It was like staying at a 5 star hotel. I would highly recommend them to anyone with back problems. Thanks for making me feel better.

Dr. Francis thoroughly explained the problem and proposed a solution for my sciatic pain, which was caused by spondylitic spondylolisthesis. I was able to schedule the surgery quickly and the recovery went as expected. I no longer have sciatic pain down my left leg and I look forward to becoming active again.

Dr. Francis has taken away my back and spinal pain that I had suffered with for 3 years. I had a previous less invasive surgery with a different surgeon, which did very little. The doctor knew I needed a fusion. Then when the pain didn’t stop, the surgeon considered me “too emotional” to have the surgery I needed. Dr. Francis saw my pain and not my emotions. Praise Jesus Father God and the Holy Spirit for sending me to Dr. Richard Francis. I love him and his staff.