“Back in Heels by Week Four” Angela’s Remarkable Recovery After Spine Surgery with Dr. McGirt
09.02.2025
When Angela first met neurosurgeon Matthew J. McGirt, MD, at Carolina NeuroSurgery & Spine Associates’ Charlotte location, she was terrified. Spine surgery, especially one involving rods, screws, and a fusion, can be life-altering. And as an executive responsible for the performance and risk management of Bank of America's third-party vendors, Angela is no stranger to high-stakes decisions. But this one felt personal.
“I looked at the list of doctors and thought, okay, he looks experienced,” she said. “That’s all I had to go on. But thank God I chose right.”
Angela’s journey began with what she assumed was a minor back tweak from lifting weights. But the discomfort escalated, evolving into persistent pain radiating through her right hip and thigh. “By April, it was constant. All day, every day,” she said. “I was taking more than 3,000 milligrams of Tylenol a day just to function. I’d dig into my own leg just to distract myself from the pain.”
A spine MRI revealed the cause: a large synovial cyst compressing her nerve root at the L4–L5 level. The solution was a Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF), a complex surgical procedure to remove the cyst, stabilize the spine with rods and screws, and relieve the pressure on the nerve.
Still, Angela hesitated. “I don’t mess around. But Dr. McGirt told me, ‘If you follow my instructions, you’ll be as good as new.’ I held onto that.”
And she did exactly that.
Angela’s surgery was a success. The moment she woke up, she knew something had changed. “That pain was gone. I mean, completely gone. I hadn’t felt that kind of relief in months.”
Though each patient’s journey looks different, her recovery was nothing short of remarkable:
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Day 1:
Walking the halls of the hospital (refusing to use a walker)
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Day 5:
Strolling up and down her driveway
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Day 7:
Walking the neighborhood
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Week 4:
Attending events in heels
“Angela is a great example of how a patient with an attitude of optimism and determination can experience an accelerated recovery with optimized outcome,” said Dr. McGirt. “The mind and spirit are powerful agents in beating disease.”
“The hospital staff couldn’t believe it,” she smiled. “They rolled in a walker, and I said, ‘That’s not for me!’”
She credits not only the precision of Dr. McGirt’s surgical technique but also his compassionate guidance throughout. “He treated me with such care. He was kind, confident, and knew exactly what I needed before I even told him. He looked at my MRI and knew where my pain was coming from without me saying a word. That blew me away.”
After surgery, Angela only needed prescription pain medication for two days. Her movement and dedication to walking helped manage the pain and accelerate healing. “I’ve talked to people who had the same surgery and didn’t move much after. That’s what slowed their recovery. But I followed every single instruction Dr. McGirt gave me, and look at me now.”
Angela calls her results life-changing. She’s back to leading high-stakes meetings, attending community events, and yes, rocking heels at political fundraisers. “It takes a team of individuals to drive outcomes,” Dr. McGirt added. “In Angela's case, it started with the technical delivery of surgery in the operating room involving a team of Atrium and CNSA staff, but continued with nurses and therapists on the hospital floor, and onward with CNSA physical therapists, nurses, and administrative staff in the outpatient setting.”
“I’m forever indebted to the team for giving me my quality of life back,” Angela said. “If I ever have another spine issue, I wouldn’t let anyone else touch me. Period.”
Her advice to others: “Listen. Trust. Follow the plan. And know that when you’re in the care of a dedicated team like Dr. McGirt’s, you’re in good hands.” I sing his praises to everyone. “He wasn’t just my surgeon. He was an instrument God used to heal me.”
Angela’s story is a powerful reminder that when compassionate expertise meets determined patient care, healing isn’t just possible, it’s transformational.
SpineFirst is a premier partnership between Atrium Health and CNSA, combining the expertise of two nationally recognized leaders in spine care. This collaboration allows patients to access top spinal expertise, innovative treatments, and excellent outcomes through a seamless, integrated care experience. To learn more, visit www.spinefirst.com.
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