Janet’s Story: A Life Reclaimed Through Expert, Team-Based Pain Care at OrthoIllinois
At 83, Janet is living a life few would expect—traveling, golfing, and standing taller than she has in more than a decade. But the road to this remarkable transformation was long, and at times, overwhelming. What ultimately made the difference was the coordinated, expert care she received at OrthoIllinois, where every step of her journey—from evaluation to treatment to recovery—was guided by specialists committed to restoring her quality of life.
When Pain Became Impossible to Ignore
For over ten years, Janet lived with chronic back pain despite previous back surgery. She pushed through the discomfort, adapting her life to work around the pain, until a trip to Texas changed everything. The pain became unbearable — sitting, standing, even resting was difficult.
A Texas physician collaborated with Dr. Neal Shah, her interventional pain management specialist back home at OrthoIllinois, to stabilize her symptoms enough for her to return. Once back in Illinois, Dr. Shah saw that the pain was no longer something Janet could simply work around. She needed a more durable solution.
Expert Interventional Pain Evaluation — The Turning Point
Years earlier, Dr. Shah had recommended a spinal cord stimulator, but Janet wasn’t ready. This time, after a thorough in‑office evaluation and renewed discussion with Dr. Shah, she agreed to try the in‑office spinal cord stimulator trial—a critical step that allows patients to experience the potential relief before pursuing surgery.
The result was immediate and life‑changing. As Janet puts it, “The pain immediately disappeared—like I never had the pain before.”
“The pain immediately disappeared—like I never had the pain before.”
This rapid improvement confirmed what Dr. Shah suspected: a spinal cord stimulator could dramatically improve her quality of life.
Surgical Expertise to Complete the Journey
With a successful trial behind her, Janet met with Dr. Zachary Goldstein, the spine surgeon at OrthoIllinois who specializes in surgical spinal cord stimulator implantation. Dr. Goldstein reviewed her case, guided her through the surgical process, and performed the permanent implant procedure.
The improvement was obvious—visibly so.
Her husband noticed first:
“I think you grew four inches—you’re standing straight again!”
After years of bending and guarding her posture to reduce pain, Janet now walks upright, confident, and pain‑free.
Regaining the Activities That Bring Joy
Golf has always been one of Janet’s passions. Even on her most painful days, she fought to stay in the game. But now, she’s not just playing—she’s playing pain‑free. With Dr. Goldstein’s reassurance and a smooth recovery, she is fully back to the sport she loves.
And with another trip to Texas planned, she’s packing her clubs—this time with excitement instead of hesitation.
Comprehensive Care—Every Step of the Way
Janet’s journey with OrthoIllinois hasn’t been limited to her spine. Over the years, she faced complications from a past elbow fracture that required multiple surgeries, management of bone spurs, and even treatment for a serious infection. Through each challenge, she encountered the same consistent strengths:
- Kindness
- Thoroughness
- Skilled hands at every level—from initial consultation to in office spinal cord stimulation trial to surgical implantation
“When you walk in the doors at OrthoIllinois,” she says, “they make it a pleasant experience.”
A Message From Janet: Don’t Wait
Looking back, Janet has just one regret: waiting as long as she did.
“Do it,” she says. “I wish I had listened to Dr. Shah and Dr. Goldstein years ago.”
Today, she stands taller—literally and figuratively—living life on her terms again. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, modern pain treatment, and most importantly, a coordinated care team.
The OrthoIllinois Difference
Janet’s transformation reflects the strength of a truly integrated care model:
- In‑office, expert interventional pain evaluation and spinal cord stimulator trial by Dr. Neal Shah
- Skilled and precise surgical implantation by Dr. Zachary Goldstein
- Unified communication and thoughtful follow‑up across both specialists
At OrthoIllinois, patients are never handed off—they are guided, supported, and cared for at every stage by experts who work together as a team to deliver the best outcomes.
