Bouncing Back After a Debilitating Pinched Nerve

Going through the agony of having a pinched nerve can be extremely exhausting due to the pain it causes, not to mention the restrictiveness of the many things that one cannot do until they get medical attention.

This was the case of 56-year-old Camden, New Jersey, native Daniel Rodriquez. Over the 2023-2024 winter, Mr. Rodriguez, a heavy machine operator, felt a huge discomforting sensation of pins and needles starting from his back and running down his leg. He knew he needed to do something, so he went for an MRI, and it showed his lumbar areas (L4 and L5), the two lowest vertebrae in the lumbar spine, located in the lower back, were damaged and out of whack.

Daniel was referred by a friend to see someone for a consultation at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in Philadelphia, which is very well-known in orthopedics for treating musculoskeletal issues. At the same time, Daniel also had a bone infection, so the specialists at Rothman referred him to Cooper University Hospital to treat the infection and to work with Daniel on his debilitating pinched nerve. After his infection was taken care of by antibiotics, Daniel was sent home, still uncomfortable with ongoing and chronic pain, and was prescribed pain medication. Doctors were understandably very strict with the pain medication they prescribed, although Daniel did become addicted "only for three days," he says.

By early March, he then went to Deptford Center Rehabilitation and Nursing on Clements Bridge Road in Deptford for rehab to try to ease his back issues and alleviate the pain caused by this ever-present pinched nerve. Although the physical and occupational rehab started working, an operation on his back would be the only solution to fix the situation.

Mr. Rodriguez returned to Cooper University Hospital to have the first of two surgeries, where a rod was placed in his back to fix his L4 and L5 spinal issues. According to Daniel, this helped at first.

"I felt good after the first couple of months after surgery, and then it started feeling worse again," said Daniel. "They (the doctors) didn't get it right the first time."

Daniel returned to Cooper University Hospital to remove that first rod and then get one placed in the spine area at Lumbar 2 (L2), which is toward the lower end of the spinal column, within the lower back. Following recuperation from that surgery and receiving 44 staples in his back, Daniel returned to Deptford Center for PT and OT rehabilitation at the end of June. Tough at first, Daniel needed assistance with transfers and bathroom necessities, which was not easy psychologically for Daniel.

"Even though it was hard because I'm only 56 years old and getting this help, the therapists here were great for me," said Mr. Rodriguez. "They took the time by working easily with me, they coached me and showed me how I can be independent again. This was my second time here so they already knew me and welcomed me back. If it weren’t for the folks here at Deptford, I would be screwed so I am grateful to them."

Daniel took his time and made sure he would do his part to get better. He would also take part in many of the activities that are offered, but the bottom line was his goal of going home at some point.

"From the beginning, Daniel Rodriguez was highly motivated to improve. He trusted our therapy team and followed our recommendations," said Caleigh Andrews, Director of Rehabilitation. "Most importantly, he put in the hard work and dedication he needed. Thanks to his efforts, he regained his independence and returned home on his own."

Mr. Rodriguez was told a third surgery could happen in the future, and on August 30, 2024, Daniel returned home.