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 had a ruptured disc that made it extremely hard to get out of bed everyday. I didn’t want to stand due to the excruciating pain. I had my disc replacement done by Dr. Francis in July, 2012 and now I am back to 100% with no pain!!! I can do everything I did before my disc rupture without any worries. Dr. Francis takes time to talk and explain all of the options.

I Over the past 23 years I have been suffering from back pain. For the most part, it would flare up once a year where I would have to go to the doctor. Then, after a motorcycle accident in 2010, my back started flaring up twice a year. In the last 3 years, my flare-ups have been occurring once a month. Now, since I have had surgery, there have been no more flareups and I can look forward to a day free from pain.

I was bucked off of a horse which left me with severe pain down my right arm. I had a previous cervical repair performed by a surgeon in Victoria that dis not heal. I fell in February of 2016 which increased my pain to a level that made me keep my right arm at my side and I had to use my left arm and hand to operate the mouse for my computer. October 12, 2016, was the day of delivery from my pain. I had 3 discs replaced in my cervical spine and I went back to work in a week (only 2 hours a day but I was still there). A month and a half after surgery I feel like I have my life back. Dr. Francis is wonderful and I would like to add that.

Dr. Francis gave me my life back… where I had lost feeling in both legs and feet for the best part of 18 years, and then both giving in. He repaired my lower spine where I now have full feeling and actually feel every little breeze and sensation… then 2 months later did the same in my neck and restored full feeling and use to both arms and both hand where I was pretty much down to thumb and index finger on each hand.
Dr. Francis is a miracle and is the finest surgeon who really cares for and about his patients. I would recommend him to anyone who has any back problems.. .. he saved me from quite likely ending up a quadriplegic… I owe him my life… thank you, Dr. Francis… I will forever be in your debt.

I fell in September 2015 and burst my L1 vertebrae. Other than a brief hospital stay and rehabilitation not specific to my injury, I was left to try to deal with the pain using painkillers. After many months of being unable to do ordinary day-to-day activities without severe pain, I finally begged my PCP to help me. His response was a referral to Dr. Francis. As soon as I walked into the office I was treated like a V.I.P. Dr. Francis concluded that I needed a spinal fusion to repair the damages that were done. He is thorough, detailed, compassionate and available for his patients anytime. I thank God and I thank Dr. Francis for what he is able to do! I can now enjoy the simple things again – like throwing the football with my grandsons and gardening.

My experience with Dr. Francis and Spine Associates was wonderful. I had a discectomy and laminectomy (L4-L5 & L5-S1) on 23 February 2018 and had my post-op follow up on 27 February. I was able to get up and walk, go to the pharmacy, and even stop to get lunch immediately after my surgery. Dr. Francis made it very clear that if I had any questions or problems to call him at any time whether day or night. The wait time at my follow up was quite long but the overall experience was still great. I would highly recommend Dr. Francis and Spine Associates to anyone looking for spine care.

Very nice people dr Francis was 100% very helpful with what I had going on and will be going to him real soon with an MRI. Best dr for a back pain

Doctor Francis and his staff are amazing I wouldn’t recommend going anywhere else!

This place has met my expectation far and above beyond the call of duty. Dr. Francis was nothing more than fabulous. I have never met, a dr. with bedside manners as he has. He was very patient, took time to explain every detail, of the surgery. I would recommend all that I know that has back problems etc. to Spine Associate. The nurses and the assistant were great from Beaumont, back to Houston. My husband’s attending nurse after the surgery was fantastic. I wish I could remember everyone’s name. But let it be noted, that Mrs. Battles has told everyone about this place.
Thank you
Dr. Francis & Staff

Dr. Francis is very professional and knows exactly how to diagnose and perform the correct procedure and you will be up and running. I had a thoracic spinal tumor removed. He is awesome and I couldn’t ask for anyone better.

All the staff are very helpful and friendly. The radiology staff, especially Kathy and Yesenia, are wonderful. I’ve only just met Dr. Francis and have only been seen by him once, but he really impressed me and my husband and I feel like he is going to do what needs to be done as far as finding what’s causing my back pain.

To start with, I was very pleased that Dr. Francis took my appointment the next day after contacting his office. He evaluated my lower spine and agreed that he could do the necessary procedure on Friday. As much pain that I had been in for two weeks prior, I was ready to do it. Dr. Francis and his staff and office personnel were very professional and an enjoyment to be around. They made me feel very comfortable. We live in Victoria, TX and I would recommend to anyone that it is worth the long drive for Dr. Francis’s services.

Dr Francis is one of the most dedicated doctors to restoring your quality of life that you will ever find. I cannot put into words the lengths he will go to make sure that all aspects of your well being is of the highest quality. It is so easy to put your problem into his amazing care. The staff members that I dealt with, Jody his personal assistant and Anetria his surgical scheduler, made things very easy. I would also like to mention Dr. Sterling…he makes sure all aspects of your physical safety are covered before you have surgery. With Dr. Francis, you cannot find better care for all aspects needed for restoring your spine to the best possible condition. I feel that God sent me to the best!

I want to say that I am so pleased ecstatic with my results , Dr. Frances has given me a new lease to do things that , I was not able to . I will be happy to refer him to anyone that has back issues, I was referred to him and I am so happy to have followed through. I can dance and ride my motorcycle again and not fear from falling.

Dr. Francis did my scoliosis surgery and I am so happy with the results. I heard he was the best surgeon to go to for scoliosis correction and I am living proof that the statement is true. I had a double major curve that measured 70 degrees at the top and 46 degrees at the bottom of my spine. Before my surgery, I hated how I looked. I always wore sweaters and baggy t-shirts to hide my curve. Since my surgery, I can actually wear dresses, tank tops and even a swim suit without feeling insecure! Recovery was minimal and was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. My surgery was at 6:30 in the morning and I was up and walking that evening. The scar is fading and my dermatologist said that it’s going to be a faint white line by the end of the summer. Dr. Francis knows what he’s doing and his confidence is contagious! He’s a wonderful human being and I’m so glad that he chose to be a spine surgeon. Thank you, thank you thank you to Dr. Francis and his surgery team.

I was in excruciating pain. This was a pain that I could never describe. I made several trips to the ER and visited my general practitioner as well. None of them could figure out what was wrong. My general practitioner referred me to Dr. Francis. He reviewed my MRI and visited with me. He immediately advised me to have surgery (ACDF). I was skeptical, but found myself on his operating table two weeks later. It was the best decision I could have made. Before I went into surgery, Dr. Francis told me, “Don’t worry, I will take good care of you.” I was never so scared in my life, but I trusted him. Now, I can say I’m so thankful that God put this man (Dr. Francis) in my life. I am able to sleep again and perform daily tasks that others take for granted. I would definitely recommend Dr. Francis. He is truly a blessing and works hard to fulfilling the calling that God has placed on his life – Giving his patients a pain free life.

From an excruciating, screaming pain and a near complete disability to a pain free life, my husband’s condition today is not far from a miracle. Dr. Richard Francis, an exceptionally gifted doctor who has granted my husband his normal life back, performed this miracle. My husband had a decompression back surgery performed by Curaspine in November 2015. After this surgery, his pain was not improving at all — on the contrary it was worsening day by day. The doctor who performed this surgery recommended a steroid cortisone injection, performed without any results while the pain severely continued to increase. My husband was confined to a bed, lying on his back, the only position that would allow some pain relief. Curaspine suggested the heat procedure to be performed next but we completely lost faith after two previously failed procedures. I have requested a discussion on the phone with the Curaspine doctor but he refused to return my call. While my husband could not move even to go to the restroom I was very worried, disappointed, frustrated and enraged by Curaspine’s incompetence and lack of consideration. I started searching the internet and by the grace of God we found Dr. Richard Francis. When I called his office I was very emotional and scared because I did not know what was going to happen to my husband who was screaming in pain attempting to turn his body in bed. Marsha, one of his office assistants answered the phone and she arranged an appointment for the very next day. That very next day Dr. Francis evaluated my husband’s condition and ordered all of the necessary tests and procedures that were done right there in the same day. All of his staff was so amazingly helpful! Jodie, another office assistant was just so great! It was a long day beginning at 6 am but by 7 pm we knew that my husband needed a one level spine fusion surgery. Dr. Francis performed a spine fusion surgery by the end of December and only three weeks after this major surgery, my husband’s life is back to normal, pain free! Amazing! Thank you, Richard Francis, we will forever be grateful and will never forget you and the precious gift of life you have given to my husband! You are an amazing doctor! God bless you!

After meeting with Dr. Francis for the first time, my husband and I had no doubt that we had found the right spine surgeon. He truly cares for his patients and has their best interest in mind at all times. He is the best and my husband and I highly recommend him.