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 was in a life changing car accident in 2002 when a drunk driver ran into the car I was a passenger in. Up until that time I was playing Softball and basketball, hunting and building log homes in Clinton, Montana. I lived in excruciating pain for the next 10 years and could no longer participate in most of the activities I had enjoyed previously. I lost my business, had a failed back surgery, was put on high levels of pain medications and was told by Dr.’s in Missoula, Montana that I had no hope of pain relief. I was told that I could be paralyzed if I had another surgery and no Dr. would touch my case or help me. Finally, in January 2012, my wife and daughter encouraged me to get on an airplane and go to Houston, Texas to look for help. My daughter had a referral to a Dr.; but, when we got to Texas that Dr. couldn’t see me. My pain was unbearable at this point. We found Dr. Richard Francis online. My wife told me he was the Dr. I had to see. I called right away on Monday morning. Dr. Francis said he would see me at 7am the next morning. I only waited about 5 minutes before going back to see a nurse. I answered medical questions, had an x-ray, saw Dr. Francis and was scheduled for surgery within a short time. Dr. Francis saw and explained what was wrong and how he was going to make corrections. I had a surgery within a week at a hospital that was like a 5-star hotel. The care and quality was unlike anything I could imagine. The staff was so kind and happy in all that they did. Not only did I wake up knowing Dr. Francis had fixed my back and had “taken the knife out”, but that I would be medication free as well. Pain free and medication free! I have been told I am a walking miracle. Thank you Dr. Francis and staff for giving me my life back. I am now pain free other than nerve pain in my feet from my past surgery. I have given Dr. Francis’s card to at least 15 people and told them there is hope and help. If you think there is no place to turn, please give yourself a chance at life again and go see Dr. Francis.

L2 – S1 fusion January 2011 by Neurosurgeon. After surgery, I continued to have back and hip pain. In September 2011 I was referred to Dr. Richard Francis in which he determined my pain was in the left SI joint. During the process of various test he also discovered that my previous fusion had failed which also resulted in loose hardware. Dr. Francis performed Left and Right SI joint fusion along with replacement of hardware and 360 fusion. Prior to meeting Dr. Francis I thought my back and hips would never be pain free again. Dr. Francis has visited with me on every visit pre & post surgery. He and his staff has always been professional and worked with me to meet my needs. Thank goodness for Physicians like Dr. Francis.

I am 18 years old and had a Spinal Fusion done in early January by Dr. Francis. Prior to surgery I was in constant pain every day with nothing really taking the edge away. Everything I did on a regular day basis created more pain especially when I was trying to workout. I was referred to Dr. Francis in high remarks. The first thing I noticed a couple days after surgery was that constant pain in my back was completely gone. It’s been a little under 3 months and I feel incredible. I don’t feel any pain whatsoever. I can make 5-hour car ride trips and my back will still feel great. I’ve also been able to start working out during the middle of the 1st month till now and I have yet to feel any pain. I feel 100% better and I highly recommend Dr. Francis to anyone thinking about a major surgery, he’s outstanding. Cameron Cormier Houston, TX

Dr. Francis is extremely knowledgeable & is professional. He knew exactly what needed to be done with my back as soon as he saw the MRI. When I had last minute questions, he met with me the night before my surgery to clarify exactly what he was going to do in the surgery. He has a great bedside manner & genuinely cares about his patients.

Dr. Francis was recommended to me by one of his former patients. I’m so glad I listened and made an appt. I found Dr. Francis to be very compassionate to my pain and the importance of my job. My career as a postal letter carrier was in danger and my ability to carry out my duties was my fear. He eased my fear and assured me I would be back on the job in no time at all. I’m 3 months into recovery and pain free. In 4 more weeks I’ll be back on the job. The lower lumbar fusion surgery was just what I needed to get back on my feet. Thank you to Dr. Francis for using the gift that God has given to him!!

I am very pleased with the care that I received from Dr. Francis. I have made a full recovery with his help and from treatment from his highly skilled Physical Therapy Department. My therapist was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and always made me feel comfortable during my appointments. Thank you, Dr. Francis and Spine Associates Staff!

Tried alternate forms to relief pain for 3 years to avoid surgery. Realized I needed more and found Dr. Francis through my research. Dr. Francis performed a fusion 53 days ago and I can’t ask for better results. I am very thankful for the surgery despite the though risk everybody faces prior to the procedure. I will highly recommend Dr. Francis if your having back pain.

I suffered with back pain for awhile, my dad got me help when he noticed my back was crooked when I wore a bathing suit and I was always complaining of back pain, we found out about Dr. Francis through my chiropractor. We made an appointment and got right in, he evaluated me and told me I needed surgery there was nothing else that would help, and since I was 18 now would be the perfect time to do it. A week after I graduated high school I was in for surgery I was in surgery and recovery for a total of 11 hours. The hospital staff was awful. but other than that I had a wonderful experience and I have been pain free ever since! I highly recommend Dr. Francis!

I suffered for 29 years with back pain, the last 15 years were excruciating and I needed help. I saw a number of doctors during these years and not one seemed to want to help me. None of them told me I developed scoliosis due to the damage that was being done from the discs problems. I got Dr. Richard Francis name and made an appointment with him. He took tests to see what damage was done. When my husband and I saw him I asked him, “Can you help me?” He so patiently grabbed my hand and said, “Yes, I can help you.” He explained exactly where the problem was and we scheduled the surgery. He fused L2, L3, L4, L5, S1 and put cages and 2 rods for the scoliosis. The important thing about this is to follow his directions and do your therapy exactly like they tell you. After the surgery and during the therapy I was pain free. When I had my 6-month checkup, I was still pain free. I told him he was God sent and hugged his neck and thanked him for helping me. I can now play with my granddaughters outside and hold my new granddaughter. The hospital we used was absolutely great, if we needed something they were there immediately. Thank you Dr. Francis and Staff for being there for people like me who thought, “Nothing Could Be Done.”

I felt that Dr. Francis was very professional and thorough. I learned of him and his amazing reputation from several other orthopedic surgeons who really were not comfortable doing my spine surgery. He is the only one that does the robotic spine surgery that I needed. They felt that he had the extraordinary talent and experience to help me. It has been about a month since my surgery and I feel better and stronger than I have in over a year and a half. I am so grateful to him and his surgical team for their specialized talent and experience. I know in my heart that when God sent us angels, that one of them is Dr. Francis!

I had evaluations from three surgeons that had been recommended to me by my pain specialist. Dr. Francis put me at ease with his manner. He explained what needed to be done to correct my sacral spine in great detail. He discusses the good and the bad. Needless to say I was worried about all that could go wrong. From tests to registration at the hospital all services went smoothly and all staff were friendly. I had disc removed from T 10 down and rods with screws attached to my pelvis. My pain was well managed after surgery, the staff were super. Pain really was not an issue for me, I did have pain from my bone graft site, but that was positional and would stop when I adjusted position. Living in the brace was not fun, but I have had wonderful results. No more nerve pain in my right leg, no pain in my hips ,back or neck. Three months out and only some soreness. My spine is straight. I’m so thankful for Dr. Francis. He was well worth the sometimes long waits at the office.

Great surgeon, professional staff, Hospital was second to none. I couldn’t ask for better service. Rehab therapist and Company medical stated I was further along on my healing than others with this kind of surgery. I attribute this to the skill and caliber of surgery performed. Thanks Doc!!!

My husband recently had surgery with Dr. Francis. We were VERY impressed with him, as well as his staff, in Houston and Beaumont. He made us feel comfortable from the minute we met him. Dr. Francis was very thorough in his diagnostic testing and in going over all of the results. We never felt rushed and were well informed of all that was going to happen. The surgery was a success and my husband is doing great. We have recommended Dr. Francis to everyone we know that is having any problems with their back.

I was dealing with lower lumbar back pain for approximately two (2) years. Gradually the pain got worse along with stinging pain down the back of my right leg. In November of 2013 I had an MRI done which revealed two herniated discs L4-L5 and L5-S1. Physical therapy and injections helped temporarily but the pain returned even worse. After going to a specialist in Austin who didn’t want to operate because of my age, I continued to deal with the pain for an additional 6 months. Finally in November of 2014 a co-worker told my wife about Dr. Francis in Houston who praised Dr. Francis and his methods for diagnosing his wife’s pain. In December I saw Dr. Francis for the first time and in the same day I was seen, had an MRI done, along with a nerve study and saw Dr. Francis a second time all before lunch. Dr. Francis made it clear surgery was the only option and a safe option at that. On December 19, 2014 I arrived at the hospital early in the morning and was released by lunch. After the pain meds wore off I noticed discomfort from the surgical incision, but to my surprise my back pain was gone along with the pain in my right leg. My wife has been great this last week changing my bandages twice a day and helping me dress. You will need to take that into account before having back surgery. (Having a second set of hands to help with recovery, bandages, and dressing.) It has now been eleven days and I feel great. I just finished my follow-up and although I am not supposed to bend or lift objects yet I feel like I could if I have to. Physical therapy is next up but that should be a breeze. I would highly recommend Dr. Francis to anyone considering surgery or options for back pain.

I had a herniated disk pressing on the sciatic nerve going down the right leg. The pain came from multiple points from the hip to the toes any time I was sitting or standing. Pain medication had little effect. I had a MRI done and was able to get an appointment scheduled within two weeks of the call. Dr. Francis came into the waiting area and introduced himself while I was in the waiting area. Within 30 minutes of arrival I was escorted to a examining room by friendly and courteous staff. My basic medical history was taken and then Dr. Francis entered and had the staff read the medical history. Clarification and questions were asked by the staff and my family. Dr. Francis then took us to review the MRI and explained the MRI in detail. He pointed out the herniated disk and explained what had to be done. He also explained how long it would take. Any questions about other disks were answered. There was no pressure to have this surgery. Once I agreed to surgery, I was put through a surgery review, which included an EKG with involvement of a cardiologist. I my case the EKG was questionable so I was put through a nuclear stress test and echocardiogram before I was cleared for surgery. I was scheduled for within 4 days of clearance. My surgery and release was around Three hours. Other than the minor sting of knowing that I had an incision, I experienced no pain. My only sensation that remained after surgery was a slight numbness on the bottom of my foot. This appears to be getting better the more I walk and I was able to get up and walk to the car after surgery. Within 24hrs of surgery I was walking around the house for more than 30 minutes without pain. I am completely pleased with the whole process. The staff were helpful with the medical and insurance questions. The only area of frustration or concern was the fitting of the back brace to be worn after surgery. We thought the staff would fit the hardback piece and they expected us to fit it. This meant we molded the plastic back piece to a back that had just gone through surgery. We were concerned that we would mess up a back that had just been fixed. We got through this minor obstacle. My suggestion is ask for clarification when working with the staff. They are glad to help.

Dr. Francis saw me and within a couple of hours had gotten an MRI for me and done all of the X-ray work. He was able to arrange my surgery for a herniated disc within a few days. I had the surgery in the morning and he totally fixed my problem. I feel great. I would go to Dr. Francis anytime.

Dr. Francis is an excellent physician and surgeon. He is extremely professional in his demeanor, yet approachable. He is warm and caring about his patients. I had back surgery on 11/01/2013 and am feeling so much better; I am glad I agreed to have the surgery and most glad Dr. Francis was the surgeon. His patients love him in the Beaumont area. I have a sense of humor and call him the “Super Star Surgeon”. In all sincerity, I would not have wanted anyone else to perform my back surgery and I’m very glad he is in my health insurance company’s network. Kudos to the Beaumont staff members including Christy, Angel, Candace, Renee and the X-ray MRI and CT technicians and Erica, Marcia and Jennifer in the Medical and Billing Offices, in Houston. We would highly recommend Beaumont area patients have an updated GPS/Navigation System to get to the Houston office as well as to the hospital. It’s not difficult to get there, IF you have a great Navigation System, are familiar with Houston, or get excellent directions from a reliable source. Getting around in Houston was a challenge for me and my husband when we did not have either of the tools I mentioned above. Our many thanks, Sheryl Guilbeaux (patient) and Charles Guilbeaux (patient’s spouse).

I had double fusion by this man… He and his staff are AWESOME, Highly recommend him!