Patient of the Month
Robbin Hallford went from unable to stand to increasing the number of yoga classes she teaches thanks to the miracle of 360 fusion.
Baby Boomer Robbin Hallford is a teacher and yoga instructor who can proudly state she is more active now than in her 20’s thanks to the miracle of modern surgery. Hallford, a 48-year old mother of three, underwent a 360 fusion around her L4 and L5 vertebrae in March of 2011. Since that time, she has proven daily that she can stay active and continue teaching yoga. In fact, she is planning to increase the number of classes she is teaching this summer, only a year after surgery.
Surgery was not Hallford’s first choice. After several days of pain and the inability to move her left leg, she attempted to manage the pain with chiropractic treatments. It was during these treatments that x-rays showed the lumbar area to be foggy. The chiropractor suggested an MRI, which Hallford took to a physician who recommended Dr. Michael Duffy of the Texas Back Institute.
“Dr. Duffy made every effort to help me control the pain, including steroid shots, pain control and anti-inflammatory drugs. Unfortunately, I had reactions to the medications, particularly the anti-inflammatory,” said Hallford.
Hallford collapsed in her class, which was the final straw. She decided to move forward with back surgery at Texas Back Institute. Dr. Duffy assembled a team of experts to ensure that Hallford’s surgery went smoothly. In March of 2011, they performed a 360 fusion on L4 and L5, giving Hallford much needed relief.
“We knew that Robbin’s condition would be considerably improved by a 360 degree fusion,” said Dr. Duffy. “Having a patient who was so dedicated to post-operative physical therapy certainly expedited her recovery.”
Hallford’sbackground is in physical therapy and kinesiology, so she was well aware of the effort it would take to recover from surgery.
“I was in devastating pain, thinking of giving up my yoga practice and going on disability,” said Hallford. “Thanks to Dr. Duffy and his great team, I am 100% better. I got the life back that I wanted. For me, surgery was the answer.”
Like many baby boomers, Hallford wants to continue an active life on her own terms and not let injuries or aging slow her down.
“My 48 does not look like my mother’s 48 or my grandmother’s. I do more now than I did when I was 20 years old. I’m stronger now. The surgery helped me to be able to keep that,” said Hallford.
Hallford is not a proponent of choosing surgery first. In fact, she chose to use her own knowledge and skills in yoga to postpone surgery as long as possible. In the end, it was the miracle of back surgery that gave her the life she wanted.
“If there is any way, do it without surgery. But it you cannot avoid it – go to TBI. I highly recommend Michael Duffy. To take me from where I was to where I am now, he’s a very skilled physician. The team they put together was top-notch. If you are facing [spine] surgery, I can tell you with all confidence you will get the best treatment and honestly I believe the best outcome.”