From Constant Pain to Immediate Relief: Paige’s Spine Surgery Story
01.20.2026
For more than three months, Paige pushed through pain she hoped would simply fade away.
As a nurse with over 30 years of experience, she assumed she could manage it. At first, the pain felt muscular, something she believed came from an intense workout. But instead of improving, it worsened. The discomfort began radiating down her leg, slowly taking over her daily life.
“I was miserable,” Paige shared. “I couldn’t work out, and fitness is a huge part of who I am. I couldn’t bend over. I had to sit on the floor to put on my shoes. Even wrapping my hair in a towel felt impossible.”
What caught her off guard was not just the physical pain, but the emotional weight that came with it.
“I didn’t realize how much it was affecting me mentally. I was irritable and exhausted. I kept wondering if this was just how the rest of my life was going to be.”
A Breaking Point and a Turning Point
After imaging revealed a herniated disc at the L5–S1 level, Paige met with neurosurgeon Jeffrey D. Jenkins, MD, FACS and care team in the Greensboro location of Carolina Neurosurgery& Spine Associates to discuss next steps. He recommended a microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive spine procedure designed to relieve nerve compression.
When insurance requirements were mentioned, possibly needing physical therapy instead, Paige reached her breaking point.
“I just knew I physically couldn’t keep going the way I was. I couldn’t lift, I couldn’t move normally, and I was worn down.” Dr. Jenkins listened.
“He didn’t rush me or dismiss me. He simply said, ‘Let us see what we can do.’” Within a week, Paige was scheduled for surgery.
“That kind of efficiency matters more than people realize when you’re in constant pain,” she said. “Once Dr. Jenkins gave the word, everything moved. It felt like a well-oiled machine.”
Understanding the Surgery
During the minimally invasive spine surgery, called microdiscectomy, Dr. Jenkins made a small incision in Paige’s lower back and used specialized instruments to carefully remove the portion of the herniated disc that was pressing on the nerve at L5–S1.
“The goal was to relieve the pressure on the nerve that was causing the pain down my leg,” Paige explained. “It’s a focused procedure, and it was reassuring to know he wasn’t doing more than what was necessary.”
Because the surgery is minimally invasive, it often allows for a faster recovery and less disruption to surrounding tissue.
“I understood from my background that while this might be considered a ‘small’ procedure for a surgeon, the impact for the patient can be enormous,” she said.
More Than a Great Surgeon
Paige is quick to credit Dr. Jenkins for his confidence and surgical skill, but she believes the experience was defined by more than just the operation.
“In medicine, surgeons often get the credit, and rightly so,” she said. “But they’re not the entire equation. The other part is the team.”
From scheduling and pre-operative communication to post-operative follow-up, Paige noticed the difference immediately.
“I never felt like I was chasing someone down. I didn’t wait days for a callback. Everyone, from the front desk to the surgical center staff, seemed genuinely happy to be there. That matters.”
As a nurse who has worked in neuro ICU, oncology, and patient education, she knows what disorganized care looks like.
“This wasn’t that. This was coordinated. Thoughtful. Efficient.”
Immediate Relief
On the day of surgery, Paige arrived at the surgical center feeling supported and informed. Even though she was scheduled later in the day, she never felt rushed or overlooked.
“When I woke up, the pain was gone. Immediately.”
She had prepared herself for significant postoperative discomfort but found she barely needed pain medication.
“I took one dose the night of surgery as a precaution. After that, nothing. No Tylenol. No ibuprofen.”
Life After Surgery
Simple tasks that once felt impossible quickly returned to normal.
“I could bend again. I could move. I could do things without thinking about every step or movement.”
Just as important was the emotional relief.
“When an injury takes away something tied to your identity, whether it’s fitness or independence, it affects everything. Getting that back is life-changing.”
A Message to Others
For anyone hesitating to seek care, Paige’s advice is clear.
“Don’t wait, especially if you have radiating pain. If it’s not improving, get evaluated.”
She also wants patients to know that spine surgery does not have to be something to fear.
“This was a positive experience from start to finish. Not just because the surgery worked, but because of the people who carried me through it.”
After more than three decades in healthcare, Paige knows good care when she sees it.
“This was it,” she said. “Every step of the way.”
Schedule an Appointment
Online scheduling is available now. Take the next step toward relief.
Schedule online at cnsa.com/request-an-appointment
Or call (336) 272-4578
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