Professional back to life with center of excellence approach
Janice does not let much slow her
down. A gymnast in college,
she still stays active by working out at the
gym, rollerblading and snow skiing when
ever possible. Janice is a successful clinical
psychologist, professor and a consultant on
public policy. Her career can be physically
exhausting at times. As a pediatric psychologist,
Janice must bend down, kneel, sit on the floor
and be able to lift and hold her young patients.
Her career also involves frequent commuting.
About two and a half years ago Janice
began having low back pain, the symptoms
were dull and sporadic at first. As time went
by, the pain worsened and became more
persistent. The long commutes were painful
because her symptoms flared when sitting.
Janice made an appointment with a local
physician to help find some back pain relief.
The physician suggested conservative care
such as anti-inflammatories for the pain. While
this did offer some temporary relief, the pain
would soon return.
Click here to read more about Janice's successful recovery from back pain at South Bend Spine in Indiana.
Back to helping others after minimally invasive spine surgery
Jodi works in the insurance industry, part
of her job involves helping others
plan for the future and manage risk. She has
always been active, Jodi enjoys exercising in
the gym and incorporates both strength and
cardio training into her routine.
About five years ago, she began
experiencing lower back pain and pain
in her left leg. The symptoms were mild
and sporadic at first and she tried some
home remedies, such as non-steroidal antiinflammatory
medications (NSAIDs), to help
temporarily relieve the pain. As the years went
by, not only did Jodi’s pain not go away but
it was getting worse. She visited her general
practitioner who encouraged her to continue
with conservative care to help relieve the pain
symptoms, which she did.
Click here to read more about Jodi's successful recovery from back pain at South Bend Spine.
“The excruciating pain consumed my every move. The constant stress of the pain also threw my blood sugar levels high. I’m a diabetic so this was a great concern. I was up walking with no pain and have had no pain since the surgery. Without the surgery, I could not bear the pain. Four months after surgery, I went to New York City on a tour and walked all over the city, even going up and down lots and lots of stairs. There has been no pain whatsoever, and no need to take pain pills. Being able to walk all around New York City that quickly after surgery speaks for itself. Dr. Mango is awesome! South Bend Orthopaedics was great and I have already recommended them to many.”
Sally P.
“I was in constant pain, unable to do my housework. I could not go anywhere and sit for any length of time. I am now without pain and an able to do almost anything I need to. I can even drive my car in comfort. It has given me great relief and a confidence that I am comfortable doing the things I want to do, such as travelling. To wake up from my surgery and find that I was pain-free and able to go home within three days was wonderful. I would recommend anyone to use the facilities and doctors at South Bend Orthopaedics. I found all the staff I came in contact with to be very pleasant, caring and helpful. I would recommend Dr. Mango as an excellent doctor. He explained everything very thoroughly to me and was very compassionate.”
“I could not do much of anything for about one year. I could not play with my grandkids or take walks. My spine surgery improved my life a lot. I am able to do things again, like normal daily activities. I feel like a new person. I cannot say enough good things about the physicians and staff and SBO. It was definitely worth having the surgery done. I was afraid and untrusting before coming to SBO, but I was taken care of very well. Everyone was great!”
Lori B.
“The pain I had was very seriously limiting my life. The spine surgery took away the horrific pain and I was able to move again. My overall experience was excellent! Dr. DeLeeuw knew exactly what I was going through, and was very open, honest and caring.”
Kevin H.
“Having had a high level of pain for several years, I would try to do things as usual (be very active) but it got to the point that I was in constant pain and my activities were severely limited. I was always active and involved in sports, including golf, but the pain became so severe that I thought I would have to give things up – which was not an option! After six weeks of just walking, I was cleared for other activities. Almost instantaneously (after letting the incision heal) I was pain free. I could get out of bed with no problems, tie my shoes, and after 6-8 weeks I got back to many of my activities pain free."
"Honestly, I feel liberated. Playing golf, working out, and doing everyday activities are now an option. With the surgery and an aggressive rehab program, I feel great – the best in 10-15 years. Having never had surgery previously, I was very nervous about the procedure and recovery. I was home 24 hours after surgery, back to work in less than one week, and feeling great rather quickly. I am thankful to Dr. Mango for identifying the cause of my pain and selecting what has proven to be the right treatment. He was very help with a great bedside manner. He answered all my questions, pinpointed my issues and prescribed a precise procedure. I felt very comfortable in his care.”
Mike K.
“I was miserable! I couldn’t walk 100 feet without pain radiating from hip to ankle. I could only shop I places with carts and only for short periods of time (20 minutes max). There was no way I could work. I felt better as soon as I was conscious after surgery. I can walk, dance, and shop without pain. I went on vacation two months after surgery and was able to work for long distances. I was worried that I would be laid up for a long time, but I was up cooking in four days and out to lunch in five! South Bend Orthopaedics is great! There was no long wait for my doctor or x-rays. I was really afraid, but now I wish that I had done this surgery years ago.”
Deborah B.
“My pain would start in my neck and go across my shoulder, literally immobilizing me with extreme pain. I never knew when it would hit, leaving me with the inability to do things I loved for fear of that pain. Plus, I woke up with a headache every morning for years. After surgery, I no longer had the neck pain, severe or otherwise. I can freely move my head from side-to-side. I’m also waking up each morning with no headaches."
"I no longer wonder when the pain will hit, which leaves me free to do what I love without hesitation. I can play with my grandchildren now and will soon be back to golfing. Each day is better than the last! I expected soreness at my incision site or in my neck, but I did not experience much, just a slight tenderness. Dr. Mango was very thorough. He is honest, showing me MRIs and x-rays while explaining my options. He made me feel comfortable, at ease, and confident in his abilities as a surgeon. I must say every person at SBO has been wonderful, helpful, cheerful, always ready to help, and very accommodating.”
Vicki R.
“I had a pain in my left shoulder that was on and off all the time. I had trouble sleeping. Whenever I was on my right side there would be a pain into my left shoulder. The first night I was in bed, I was on my right side with no pain. I knew then that the operation was a success. I have not had any pain or tingling in my left should since the operation. I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Mango or SBO. I have already done so to friends. The staffs at SBO and Memorial are as good as you could ask for.”
Thomas T.
The pictures displayed in www.SouthBendSpine.com are images of physicians, patients and employees who have consented to have their pictures in this website.
Our philosophy at South Bend Spine is to exhaust all your non-surgical treatment options before resorting to spine surgery. Click here to learn all of your options for relief of back or neck pain.
Spine surgery can repair degenerative or herniated discs that haven’t responded to non-surgical treatment. Click here to learn more about surgical options and techniques.
At South Bend Spine we develop home exercise programs that are customized for an individual’s specific back problem. These exercises can make the back stronger, more flexible and resistant to injury. Click here to learn more.
New minimally invasive technology enables the South Bend Spine surgeon to reduce the size of the incision, which shortens time in the hospital and makes recovery faster and less painful. Click here to learn more.
There are tremendous advances taking place in medicine today, but in order to benefit from them, the healthcare consumer must take an active role. The best healthcare will not find you; you have to seek it out. Click here to learn more.
Click here for New Patient Registration Forms, including our Spine Patient Intake form.
South Bend Orthopaedics
South Bend Spine is the spine specialty center of South Bend Orthopaedics. Since 1947, South Bend Orthopaedics has focused on providing every patient the best orthopedic care available. Click here or the logo to be directed to the South Bend Orthopaedics website.
