Spine surgery strikes fear in many people, especially as they get older. But Dominick Maggio, 73, who has had seven spine surgeries in the last 14 years, has a different story to tell.
After his sixth surgery in 2022, Maggio thought he was done. His ability to walk was restored and he was free of chronic pain. But by early 2024, he was walking hunched over again. Getting around became progressively more difficult and soon he couldn’t stand for long because his legs were so weak.
Many X-rays and MRIs later, Maggio sought out the head spine surgeon at a prestigious institution who told him he did not have a problem with the implants used in his previous fusion surgeries and there was nothing more to be done.
Feeling hopeless, he talked with his community pain management doctor who suggested that he see Dr. Nitin N. Bhatia, chief of spine surgery at UCI Health.
