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.

Dr. Francis and his staff are very professional and personable. Everyone from the doctor all the way to the billing staff are willing to talk to you and most importantly listen. The most important thing is Dr. Francis diagnosed and fixed my back, no pain in the back, legs or feet. The staff have answered or gotten answers for me every time nurses, assistants, and office staff. The billing department had an issue with my insurance and I would have never known if I hadn’t called for a copy for my files. (I asked at my appointment yesterday and that’s fixed) I also would like to thank this staff because they also repaired my mothers back three years ago, after other surgeons tried Dr. Francis succeeded and now after fifteen years of pain she’s pain free. Thank you and your staff, from the McNeely family.

I owe Dr. Francis everything cause the day I came in I was in severe pain & no feeling in my right side of my lower body from hip down. I have 4 kids to care for & couldn’t. Everyone I had spoke to said you don’t want surgery. Just keep doing physical therapy & meds. Needless to say Dr. Francis was straight to the point, honest, & I’m pain free today. Best decision I did, I appreciate Dr. Francis & his staff for getting me back on track. The office & Dr. Francis are very professional, accommodating & respectful to their patients. I recommend & send everyone I know that are having problems. It’s been 1 1/2yr since my surgery, still going strong. :))

A very good Dr. with good bedside manners. Very thorough and takes time to explain procedures to you. I highly recommend him.

I cannot explain in words how wonderful Dr. Francis and his staff have been to me. I started with a small backache and it continued to get worse. I saw Dr. Francis a few months later and he explained the options. I tried physical therapy and steroid injections; the next step was surgery. I could hardly walk when I decided to have the disc replaced in my lumbar spine. Since surgery, I have done remarkably well. The pain is gone and Dr. Francis has worked a miracle! My life is back to normal after only 10 days after surgery. Thank you so much Dr. Francis.

I was in a car accident in March of 2008. Dr. Francis explained all options about my neck injury. I chose to listen to his advise which was to wait for my neck to heal on it’s own. I was glad to find out that he wasn’t a specialist that threw you into surgery. He believes in your body being able to heal on its own. Unfortunately, my neck did not heal and I had to have a fusion on C4/5 and C5/6. The surgery went well and I am thankful for the great care provided by Dr. Francis and his staff.

I am no longer in severe pain. I was in so much pain I would leave work crying every single day I could not walk the track and at work I would have to find a chair so I could sit a minute and proceed. I am now pain free!!

Dr. Francis is the most expert physician I have been to in orthopedic surgery. In the 1990s I had 3 back surgeries with some success. In 2012 with no prior warning my back gave out. I developed severe drop foot on the left foot and the worse back pain ever. My best friend goes to Dr. Francis and she said call. I got the next available appointment. When I got there he was courteous and showed compassion for my condition. He said all the old surgeries had buckled and failed. In May 2012 I had a 360 back surgery. It is a very long surgery but I had it and walked on my walker in the hospital the pain was gone. After 6 months of rehabilitation and therapy I was able to return to work. So when neck problems started late last year. I called Dr. Francis again. I have had 2 have 2 surgeries this year to fix my neck but I am on way back to work soon. I recommend him highly. He has given me my quality of life back. I will always be grateful. Special thanks to Lance and Erica PT and your office staff.

After dealing with lower back pain for 10 years and doing all of the non-invasive therapy, what a blessing it was to find Dr. Francis. No more pain meds, I’m sleeping well in my own bed and I’m able to stand for long periods of time. It is so wonderful to feel so good and it’s only been 3 months since my surgery. I have my life back.

I’m very happy and Dr. Francis did a great job. I could not stand upright without pain in my lower back before surgery. Since the revision surgery, I am able to walk upright and lay flat on my back.

After literally years of debilitating pain and “5” previous back surgeries, I was absolutely blessed to find Dr. Richard Francis! I had given up so much of my life due to pain that it became a struggle to keep going each day. I was seen very quickly and on a Saturday no less! He was very patient and kind and didn’t speak impatiently to me or hurriedly. He took time and explained what was needed and assured me that he could help me. I left his office that day with a peaceful hope and excitement. Can you imagine “Excitement”? I felt like I could see my life being restored from this upcoming surgery! It was no small surgery, but I still felt a tremendous peace and confidence. My surgery was a total success! By the morning of the second day, I was up and walking and on my way. The hospital and staff were of equal caliber. I improve daily and I am looking forward to this new life, free of pain and so many limitations. I thank God for placing the desire, skills and most of all, the dedication in Dr. Francis, which he shares with all of his patients. Dr. Francis, thank you from the bottom of my heart! You are one in a million.

I came to see Dr. Francis with a history of spine problems. I had three previous surgeries and fusion of L1-L5 with another doctor. At the time I visited Dr. Francis, my quality of life and enjoyment was nil. After Dr. Francis did the fusion of L5 and S1, I am at least 90% improved. I will and do recommend Dr. Francis to anyone I meet with spine problems. I would certainly return should I have future needs.

Thank you so much Dr. Francis! I really appreciate everything that you did for me! Thank you!

One week prior to my freshman year of high school, I had back surgery for scoliosis. Dr. Francis assured me that the surgery would go well and that it was a good possibility that I could play basketball for that season. I am pleased to report that my surgery with a scar that is not as noticeable as I thought it would be and I actually came out of surgery 2 1/2 inches taller! Not only did God allow me to resume my normal life 7 days after using Dr. Francis, but he further blessed me with making the basketball team and leading our freshman girls in scoring and average of 14 points per game. Thank you Dr. Francis.

After 5 years of being in extreme back and neck pain, Dr. Francis was the first and only of many doctors who gave me hope that a life without pain would be possible. Many other doctors, told me before seeing Dr. Francis, “that I would just have to deal with my pain and that pain management was my only option for the rest of my life”. Dr. Francis fixed my scoliosis and herniated discs in my back soon after seeing him for a consult and I feel like a new person. My spine is now straight and my neck pain is gone.

After the surgery I instantly felt better. The pain in my back and leg were both gone! I just have to keep reminding myself that I just had surgery and I have to take things slow!!

Spine specialist, Dr. Richard Francis, treated me for my back pain. I have been to many hospitals and never have I been treated as well as Dr. Francis, his staff and the staff at Houston Orthopedic and Spine Hospital treated me. My surgery was a success. I am pain free and well on my way to a full recovery. I highly recommend Dr. Francis for any problems you are having with your back. Thanks to him and his team, for the first time in a year, I am pain free.

I am ecstatic at the difference in how I feel since having surgery on my lower back. I am so glad that I made the decision to have the surgery. I also appreciate that Dr. Francis and his staff took the time to answer my questions and quickly addressed any concerns that I may have had. THANK YOU!

I didn’t realize how bad my back really was until after the lumbar fusion surgery. Dr. Francis and his staff were so professional and caring that I didn’t hesitate to allow having the surgery and it was such an easy decision. I knew I would be fine and I truly am. I’m now active and pain-free and it’s only been 4 months. Thank you, Dr. Francis!