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 am at this time without constant pain in my back, leg, and hip. Occasionally there is low back pain with associated sciatic pain over my right buttock but this will disappear when movement proceeds. I am ecstatic with the results of the work done on my back, which was a fusion from T-11 to L-4.

Dr. Francis is a fine doctor. I am not in pain anymore and my back feels fine!

Prior to my surgery, the pain that I had truly made the quality of life very poor. I couldn’t do the things that I enjoy. After the first week after my surgery, I knew that I had gained back the quality of life that I so desired. I have no more pain in my legs and I am ready to go fishing again and enjoy activities with my family. Dr. Francis is a godsend to me and I am so grateful to have had him as my surgeon. The nursing staff was great to me as well.

Dr. Francis is an excellent surgeon. Considering my pain and condition before diagnosis and subsequent surgery, I feel wonderful and close to back to normal after only two weeks post surgery. I would recommend Dr. Francis to anyone I know with back problems.

Before my surgery, I was very scared because people do a lot of talk about back surgery. I had pain for about 2 years, my last year was unbearable. So, I went [and] got two doctor’s opinions. They both recommended Dr. Richard Francis when I met with Dr. Francis and talk with him I knew that I wanted him to do my surgery. I had no doubt in my mind. Dr. Francis did a wonderful job. His staff and hospital staff was so professional, friendly, and nice. Thank you so much! Since my surgery I am pain-free and I got my life back. P.S. Have faith in God and Dr. Francis.

I am 46 years old and was diagnosed with Scoliosis (thoracic and lumbar curves) at age 14. I wore a brace for 1 year at that time. It has only been in the last 10 years that I have noticed significant changes in the degree of my curves and pain in my back. While I was not in severe pain, it was a constant discomfort that never went away and my previous doctor had offered me NOTHING to help me to deal with my condition. Then I went to see Dr. Francis. I was so relieved when he said that he could correct my spine. I did not want my scoliosis to continue to progress, leaving me crippled and unable to live the active lifestyle that my husband and I enjoy. Dr. Francis took every step necessary to insure that I received the best possible outcome with my surgery. He answered any and every question that we had. I have been so impressed with the personal and undivided attention I have received while in his care. After surgery, I was very diligent in following the Post-Op instructions. Dr. Francis had said that I would be able to dance at my son’s wedding eight weeks after surgery, and he was right, I did.

When I was young, I made a living with my back, such as oil field work, carpentry, and dock work. Over time my back was getting worse and old age also contributed to my pain. Before long I got to where I could only walk a block before my back and right leg would give out. Pain and depression took my life from me, but Dr. Francis gave it back!! My life has improved tremendously since my surgery. I’m getting stronger and I’m pain-free.

For the longest period of time I have had severe headaches and back pain that have been non-stop. I went through several sessions of injections for my neck and lower back only giving relief for no more than two days at a time. Upon seeing Dr. Francis and his staff I knew I was in the right hands to get my problems of my spine/neck/headaches relieved. My wife and I did do a lot of research of Dr. Francis and Foundation Surgical Hospital in Houston and we were very pleased with the results and feedback that we found. I had back surgery in December of 2009. Yes at first there was a lot of pain after surgery but I followed directions and I did my physical therapy and did the prescribed exercises at home and now I see myself at a point of being almost normal today. My pain is gone; I just have a little fatigue to any kind of heavy work. Before my symptoms began, I had always been a very hard working and aggressive person. I participated in sports, outdoor activities, landscaping, etc. Overall, my back feels great! Better than it ever has before. After my neck surgery in March of 2010 the headaches are gone and I have no more ringing in my ears. Again, I followed the prescribed exercise regiment needed to increase the strength and flexibility in my back and neck. The pain is gone and I haven’t felt this good and pain-free in years. The surgery performed by Dr. Francis was outstanding. The hospital staff at Foundation Surgical Hospital was great. Everyone listened to me and my wife’s needs in getting me physically fit and getting me back to myself. I work at a hardware and lumber store and performance at work has drastically improved. I have so much relief because of what everyone has done; both professional and emotionally supportive. I am so relieved, happy, overly joyed on how everything has turned out. I just want to include one last thing. I love to do archery competition shooting and I can now draw my equipment without any pain and I am able to get back into my sport after 2 years of not being able to participate. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN…VERY MUCH. God Bless You All

I was raised in Iowa. My mom and dad didn’t believe in going to doctors. When I was 16, we were putting a new roof on our shop and I slipped and fell. I fell 20 feet and landed on my back. I continued working through the pain for the next 33 years. Upon returning from a road trip to Maryland and back to Texas I was and able to lift my right leg to get in my work truck. I went home and Payne hoping to see my family doctor. I saw my doctor the next day and had an MRI. I was referred to Dr. FRANCIS for in a valuation. I saw Dr. FRANCIS on June 2 and had surgery on June 22. The pressure on my spinal cord was relieved immediately. After physical therapy, I was able to return to work on October 10. Live well physical therapy, upon Dr. Francis’s recommendation, was instrumental to my recovery. Since surgery my daily life has improved and I don’t live with the pain I had before. My mobility and flexibility have also improved. I would recommend SPINE ASSOCIATES to my friends and relatives because Dr. Francis is tops and explaining everything and provides surgical excellence. I value the speed and skill shown by Dr. FRANCIS and his staff. Dr. Francis’ explanation of the plan of care was what convinced me that he was the right person to do my surgery.

I would like to tell you what an amazing experience we had here at this hospital (Foundation Surgical Hospital). Totally opposite of University General. All of the nurses and staff were amazing. There are a few that went above and beyond, and these are the people that I would like to tell you about. The nurses, Sherell and Jan, were great. Kadi was wonderful as well. Nathan, the parking attendant, was also so friendly to everyone. Pierre, who took my mom downstairs to the valet after she was released, was so friendly. Lisa Daniels, the billing supervisor who I met in the hospital cafeteria, was so caring and even took the time to come meet my mom. Michelle Lee, who took the time to bring the healing machine for my mom’s back, was very sweet and very descriptive on how to use it. She even came back the next day to say hello while she was seeing other patients and called my mom to make sure we didn’t have any problems with the machine. Thank you so much for fixing my mom. You are the best! God bless! Oops, I forgot one person, Linda Luse with OPA!

Very pleased and satisfied.

I was having severe problems with my neck and shoulder areas until I came to see Dr. Francis. Dr. Francis sent me to have a MRI done and later my condition was diagnosed. Surgery was done and I am a healthy and wealthy man. I feel great! No more pain and suffering. Dr. Francis is dedicated to what he does and has a passion to see all patients healthy and well. You can trust him with your issue. I recommend him highly. Thank God for such a gift to the medical field.

Dr. Francis gave me my life back. I suffered with back pain for a few years and was once operated on by a different surgeon but the pain did not go away. I understand now how true the words are: “You are happy as long as you do not feel pain.” Thank you, Dr. Francis, for making me feel happy again.

I have had neck problems for years. I’ve had several chiropractors tell me that I had terrible spinal stenosis caused by osteoarthritis in my neck. I would get terrible cricks in my neck several times a year, where I could not turn my head and I suffered great pain. I was an avid equestrian. On October 17, 2010 a green-broke horse threw me into the panels of my round pen at home. When my husband heard the noise of me hitting the panel he found me face-down, unconscious, and not breathing. He gently rolled me over and held me in his lap on the ground until EMS arrived. In Bay City, Texas the doctors did an MRI that showed I had fractured my C-2 vertebrae but they were just as worried about the arthritis damage in my neck. I was life flighted to Hermann Hospital in Houston where Dr. Rex Marco put me in a halo brace for four months. My C1 and C2 fused together, but he told us that eventually I would half to have next surgery to deal with arthritis damage in my neck. Since then I have experience numbness in tingling in both my arms and hands. I often awoke with both my arms completely numb. In March 2016 I started having severe pain in my neck. I huge knot appeared. I went to my primary physician, John Neese, PA, who took x-rays of my neck. He said I was going to need surgery. The bone spurs and calcium deposits between my seat three and C6 would have to be cleaned out. My desk between C4 and C5 was bulging and putting undue pressure on my spinal cord. He immediately said he would not recommend any other doctor to perform the surgery but Dr. Richard Francis at SPINE ASSOCIATES in Houston. From the time husband and I entered the SPINE ASSOCIATES clinic we were treated with such friendliness and compassion. The staff there is very efficient. Dr. Francis before my surgery on April 27, 2016. He said all went well with no complications. I am now three weeks out of surgery and mending well. I have no numbness or tingling in my arms and hands. I would recommend Dr. Francis and his associates for any spine related surgeries. I was extremely impressed by the website and all of Dr. Francis’ accomplishments in spinal surgery. Thank you, Spine Associates, for many more years of playing with my grandchildren.

My symptoms were strange to me because I didn’t really have back pain. My pain started as a slight ache in my calf and a few days later the pain increased. It was a nagging pain that kept me from sleeping. I saw a chiropractor who ordered an MRI and when the results came back she recommended that I see a neurosurgeon. A friend of mine recommended Dr. Francis. He was able to see me within 10 days where the other doctor couldn’t see me for 6 weeks! I am now back at work pain-free as a freight truck driver for UPS.

This is the first time a doctor and his staff showed excellence in every way. I will recommend this dr and his staff to my family and friends.

Other than the doctor ending up increasing the number of screws and rods in my back for increased stability, my surgery and recovery expectations and healing timeline have occurred exactly as the doctor said it would. It can be scary to undergo something so big as back surgery; a life altering event. But I am so glad that I chose Dr. Francis to go thru this season with. I still remember the day I was fitted for my brace, which I would wear thru out my 3 months of recovery. When the technician spoke so highly of Dr. Francis, and stated that she sees the greatest recovery with Dr. Francis’ patients, especially those who follow his instructions and orders exactly, that was when I knew I was in good hands with a confident and skilled doctor.

I am celebrating one year anniversary today for my 360 spinal surgery and I am feeling GREAT! Thank you, Dr. Francis!
In the past year I fulfilled the rehab exercises, went back to my jazzercise and yoga classes, rode stationary bike (have not ridden my street bike yet) fell forward three times – doing face plants- the last one I stubbed and broke my left big toe. But no pain in the back.
I have planned a ski trip to Whitefish, Montana the last week in February and just wanted to get your blessing. I have been skiing since I have been 18 – in Europe, NorthEast, and out West. I will refrain from the black diamonds and will try and ski my age bracket on the blues & greens.
You are the best – you gave me a new life!