The following testimonials have been submitted
by patients of the Southeastern Spine Institute.
Attention: Patients of The Southeastern Spine Institute.
Do you have a story to tell? Contact
us with your name, a description of your experience with SSI,
and an attached photo. We'll post it here on the site!
These are granddaughters, Lexi 3 and Sammi. I can baby-sit now! We love swimming.
My Problem was RA and Fibro put me on the disabled list in 1997. The
agonizing pain in my back, caused by my arthritis, left me
unable to sit up, stand or walk without my joints giving out
and me hitting the ground in severe pain.
My rheumatologist sent me to have injected steroids into
my spine to help the swelling and ease pain by numbing it up.
It lasted about two weeks and then the pain was back, worse.
When my knees starting to give out, I was afraid I would be
put in a wheelchair in agonizing pain for the rest of my life.
Then I went Southeastern Spine!
I was impressed with their kindness. I was not given narcotics and
told there is nothing we can do. When they said there was a
way for me to be pain free I literally cried for joy. There is
a God! At least and angel named Dr Don Johnson. Dr Don Johnson
looked at my MRI and gave me news that there was a way to
stop the pain being caused by arthritis crushing the spinal
nerve root.
Dr. Don Johnson referred me to Dr Netherton for a spinal
rhizotomy.
He explained that he would insert a needle that would
heat up and cut the nerves at the root medial nerve branch
that only controls the pain signal to the brain from the one
facet that was damaged.
It worked like a dream. No more back pain at all.
I am only 51 and Dr Johnson gave me back my life.
My family is overjoyed. Now, like most other grandmothers, I can play
with my beautiful granddaughters,
Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the whole team,
Amy, Don, and Dr Netherton, his partners and staff, Thanks a
million!
Forever Grateful,
Vicki Devaney
Ladosn, SC
I couldn't pick up and hug my grandchildren. It's not a good thing to
tell a child they can't hug their grandma.
I received my artificial disc back in 2003 and I have totally forgot
about my neck problems. It is so wonderful not having the pain and
limitations in my life, it like they say, "health is something you
shouldn't take for granted."
I guess if it had been four years of pain I would have remembered.
The Southeastern Spine Institute is the only place I recommend to my
friends, and if I ever moved out of the area and had some problem, I
would still come back to them for treatment.
Peggy Dean
Summerville, SC
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Peggy Dean (30 secs)
I having been teaching ballet
for over 16 years and I just love it.
But last year, I started having back and leg pain and was
unable to do anything but just sit in a chair and talk to
my students during class.
I didn't know what to do, I wanted to get back out on the
floor and teach.
I went to Dr. Poletti at The Southeastern Spine Institute
and he knew exactly what to do. I was back teaching in no time
and I can't thank him enough.
Southeastern Spine saved my Career!
Ann Bebergal
Ballet Teacher
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Ann Bebergal (30 secs)
I loved to ride bikes, play tennis
and be active, but with my back pain, I just couldn't do it
like I could before and I was always hurting.
But what was really bad was that my little boy wanted me to pick
him up and I just couldn't.
He would say "Daddy, pick me up" but I knew I
wasn't able to, and that's what really hurt!
After going to the Southeastern Spine Institute I can only
say,
I wish I had done it sooner!
Bob Meadows
West Ashley. SC
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Bob Meadows (30 secs)
I love to play tennis, but I was in so much
pain I had to stop.
I had surgery with another doctor and it didn't work, I
thought my active life was over and I was so young. It was
very depressing.
I had heard of The Southeastern Spine Institute and decided
to give them a chance to help.
Boy, I am glad I did. This time the surgery worked perfectly
and I have been back playing tennis with no pain now for over
a year.
Thank you for giving me back my life.
Susan Tyrell
Greenville, SC
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Susan Tyrell (30 secs)
When I was first diagnosed with arthritics, I promised myself
I would not let it control my life. But as time passed, it
became harder and harder to keep that promise, my back and
sciatic pain was getting much worse.
After going to Southeastern Spine and doing everything we
could to not have surgery, I decided to go ahead and do it… I
got immediate relief and feel even better than before.
Now I can keep that promise!
I want to thank Dr. Poletti and the staff at The Southeastern
Spine Institute for their warm, courteous and professional
care.
Sincerely
Joan Harwell
Charleston, SC
Before I went to Southeastern Spine Institute,
I couldn't even lift a gallon of milk!
Now I pick up my beautiful granddaughter all the time!
Thank you Southeastern Spine Institute!
Bobby Singletary
Charleston, SC
I was in so much pain from my back,
I was unable to do anything. I couldn¹t even walk a city
block without pain.
I went to Dr. Don Johnson at the Southeastern
Spine Institute, and he recommended a simple surgery to solve
my
problem.
Every thing turned out great!
Here I am hiking above Mount Everest base camp
in Nepal a short time later.
Thank you so much Dr. Johnson and The Southeastern
Spine Institute!
Burt Karmiel
Mt. Pleasant, SC
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Burt Karmiel and other patients (30 secs)
I had been struggling with back
pain since the beginning of the year. Being young, I was very
concerned for my quality of life.
I was nervous about seeing a spine specialist
because of the possibility of back surgery. But the Southeastern
Spine Institute came highly recommended from my primary care
physician who I greatly respect.
Right from the start their staff made me feel
right at home and I was
excited to hear I did not need surgery.
Dr. Forrest was able to subside my pain with an epidural that was
painless.
I never felt better and I am back to doing the things I love! Here
is a picture of me rock climbing.
Dr. Forrest and the Southeastern Spine Institute are great and I
would recommend them to anyone.
Matthew Adams
James Island, SC
I was involved in a car accident which slammed the door in about
18"
into my low back. The pain was excruciating. A back specialist told
me that there was nothing they could do for my back problem.
I tried to return to work but I could hardly function in my job.
I could no longer swim, play tennis, or work-out at the gym. I couldn¹t
even stand in the kitchen long enough to prepare dinner!
Then I found that The Southeastern Spine Institute was involved
in an FDA clinical trial for a new artificial disc.
I couldn¹t call them fast enough!
It turned out I qualified for the new artificial disc surgery and
had the
procedure done within 3 weeks. Boy, did it change my life!
I left the hospital less than 48 hours after the surgery, walked
three miles and later peeled 5 lbs. of shrimp for dinner!
I now walk 3-5 miles every day. I tend a vineyard, a full vegetable
garden, and I mow 10 acres around our mountain home. I recently pressure-cleaned
my Dad¹s three-story house and painted it! (See photo).
This surgery has truly been a miracle and I am not handicapped in
any way. There is nothing that I feel that I can¹t do. All of
the activities that I had to previously give up are once again a
part of my life.
Thank you, Southeastern Spine Institute.
Jan Unwin
Hendersonville, N.C.
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Jan Unwin (30 secs)
It all started about 2 or 3 years ago when I started noticing some
irritation and pain in the upper leg region of my right side.
Being only 25, I thought I could tough out the pain.
But once the pain and physical limitation got too bad, I went to
a chiropractor for some adjustments and took some anti-inflammatory
medicine. It only helped for a while.
Over time is got worse, not better. I couldn¹t do all the outdoor
stuff like hunting, fishing or 4-wheeling. I couldn¹t even find
a comfortable position to sit and working was almost impossible.
My wife kept telling me that I need to go see a doctor. I finally
went to
the Southeastern Spine Institute.
After seeing Dr. Johnson and getting an MRI, my worst fear became
reality: the doctor told me I had one of the worst disc herniations
he had ever seen. But Dr. Johnson suggested a simple surgery procedure
that only took a half an hour or so, so I did it!
Now I stay out doors as much as possible, doing all the things I
love. Here's me on my ATV.
Thank you Dr. Johnson and Southeastern Spine Institute!
Aric Newhall
St. George, S.C.
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring Aric Newhall and other patients (30 secs)
I know is sounds cliché, but it's the absolute truth: I
got my life back.
Thank you Dr. Poletti and the Southeastern Spine Institute.
James Ducharme
West Ashley
Click the player controls at right to view a short video featuring James Ducharme and other patients (30 secs)
Southeastern Spine patients: send us your
story and photo
and we will post them to this web page!
My Problem was RA and Fibro put me on the disabled list in 1997. The
agonizing pain in my back, caused by my arthritis, left me
unable to sit up, stand or walk without my joints giving out
and me hitting the ground in severe pain.
My rheumatologist sent me to have injected steroids into
my spine to help the swelling and ease pain by numbing it up.
It lasted about two weeks and then the pain was back, worse.
When my knees starting to give out, I was afraid I would be
put in a wheelchair in agonizing pain for the rest of my life.
