OrthoIndy spine patient Cameron Myers never expected a gym injury to turn into something that would impact nearly every part of his daily life. But over the course of six months, his lower back pain worsened to the point where even basic movements became difficult. That’s when he turned to OrthoIndy.
“It got bad,” said Cameron. “I couldn’t bend over, I couldn’t walk around for long, and I couldn’t even stand up straight some days.”
More than anything, Cameron struggled with what he was missing out on at home. “I have a five-year-old son, and not being able to get down and play with him, that was the hardest part,” he said. He especially missed running around the yard with his son and going on walks with his family.
A Quick Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
Cameron, who also works as a package delivery and school bus driver, knew his job and lifestyle depended on fixing his back. At the recommendation of a doctor he saw early on, he made an appointment at OrthoIndy with orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. M. Craig McMains in February 2024. “From the start, the experience was professional and efficient,” said Cameron. “Dr. McMains took a scan of my back, walked me through the results, and explained everything in terms I could understand.”
An advanced scan using EOS Insight™, Alphatec Holdings‘ AI-powered spine surgery platform, revealed the root of Cameron’s pain: a slipped disc, or spondylolisthesis. This condition was causing abnormal movement in his spine, with the shifting vertebrae compressing nearby nerves and leading to significant discomfort.
“When I saw the image, I thought, ‘Well, that sucks!’” said Cameron, with a laugh. But despite the seriousness of the diagnosis, he felt reassured. “Dr. McMains didn’t pressure me,” said Cameron. “He talked through all the options. Surgery wasn’t pushed on me – it was the last resort.”
A Smooth Recovery
Cameron started with physical therapy, hoping to find relief without surgery. But after several weeks, the pain remained. “It just wasn’t getting better,” he said. That’s when Dr. McMains recommended using the Prone Transpsoas (PTP) approach, a cutting-edge minimally invasive surgical technique that Dr. McMains helped develop.
Confident in Dr. McMains’ experience and feeling ready to move forward, Cameron scheduled the procedure just a few months after his initial diagnosis. During the procedure, Dr. McMains accessed Cameron’s spine through small incisions on the side of his body. The procedure went exceptionally well and marked a turning point in his recovery.
“I stayed one night in the hospital and was sent home the next day,” Cameron said. “I have just three tiny scars, each about an inch long, and they’re barely noticeable. For spine surgery, it was as easy and straightforward as I could have hoped for.”
What stood out to Cameron even more was how prepared and informed he felt. “Dr. McMains made sure I understood every detail. He answered my questions, laid out the plan and made me feel comfortable going into it.”
After surgery, Cameron followed a brief rest period with additional physical therapy to stretch the nerves in his back and complete his recovery. “It was exactly what I needed,” said Cameron. “The physical therapist at OrthoIndy helped fine-tune my recovery and made sure everything was aligned and working right again.”
Regaining an Active Lifestyle
Today, Cameron is pain-free and looking forward to his renewed life. “I feel great. I’m back to doing the things I couldn’t before – working out, walking and most importantly, playing with my son.”
Cameron looks back on the whole experience with gratitude. “Spine surgery sounds intimidating, but OrthoIndy made the entire process easy,” said Cameron. “From the first appointment to the last follow-up, I felt supported and taken care of. Dr. McMains is an incredible doctor – he’s skilled, he listens and he genuinely cares.”
“If you’re living with back pain and not sure what to do, go to OrthoIndy,” said Cameron. “I’m proof that things can, and will, get better!”
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Learn how OrthoIndy’s team of specialists can help you get back to what you love doing most at orthoindy.com.
