Film director Carlo Bido is adept at using his medium to tell a dramatic story. However, a real-life drama which included temporary paralysis of his legs and arms led him to waiting room of Texas Back Institute. While there is no script for this story, it does have a Hollywood ending.
“I was born to be a film maker,” explained Carlos. “If I don’t do that then I’m really depressed.”
Several months ago, Bido faced the prospects of never directing another scene. After a simple swimming workout, the athletic director of many films found himself unable to move his legs. He couldn’t even climb out of the pool. This was more terrifying than any scene he had ever directed.
Carlos describes this ordeal:
Symptoms Suggested a Herniated Disc
Imagine the concern of this vibrant man who because of a herniated disc, could not drive or even get out of bed. As he noted, “I couldn’t work and my anxiety level was through the roof!”
Several physicians suspected a herniated disc was the cause of the weakness in Bido’s limbs and they referred him to Texas Back Institute. After an MRI and other tests, Dr. Richard Guyer a spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute confirmed this diagnosis.
A herniated disc can be extremely painful and potentially dangerous if nerves are damaged. The bones which form the spine, called vertebrae, are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. However, when one is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is a herniated disc.
A herniated disc may be caused by the wear and tear of age or injury to the spine which causes small tears or cracks in the outer layer of the disc. When this happens, the gel inside the disc can be forced out through the crack causing the disc to bulge, break open or break into pieces.
“The symptoms of a herniated disc include pain, numbness and a weakness in the area of the body where the nerve travels,” notes Dr. Guyer. “In the case of Carlos, he had a cervical disc herniation which was compressing his spinal cord and this caused the weakness of his extremities.”
The Decision for Surgery
For every physician at Texas Back Institute, surgery is the last resort. “Dr. Guyer prescribed additional tests and therapy and only when this didn’t work, he recommended surgery for my herniated disc,” said Carlos. “Did I feel anxiety? Sure.”
Carlos describes the procedure here:
Carlos Bido’s surgery for his herniated disc was a success. He left the hospital the day after his procedure and began walking the same day. He’s back on the set and hard at work on his next feature film which coincidentally describes his own real-life drama which starred Dr. Richard Guyer. The movie is entitled: “Finding Hope.”