My initial visit with Dr. Amaral was similar to yours. However after a year of injections and not getting better I was absolutely desparate. While I was seeing the physical therapist preoperatively, a very young (I'm 49 not old), in her 20's, woman came in as "testament" as to how well she did. She had been a soccer coach but knew that after this type of surgery she was going to have to seek a different type of work but other than that she looked and felt fabulous.

I had no clue as to how difficult this surgery was. A lot of pain and very diffficult to walk afterwards for quite a while.My first orthopedist here in Charleston, who did my back and neck surgery, warned me not to. An orthopedist here at MUSC (the one who didn't read the CT scan very well) recommended Dr. Amaral and had trained some with Dr. Lippitt. This made feel like maybe I should do this.

It took me a good 6 months to feel somewhat OK(and to walk without a walker) and about a year to walk without the use of a cane. I am game to get these damn pins out and think about re-doing this with my new doctor after at least 6 months. I don't know if I would have had this surgery or not. My husband said though it was slow, he could tell I was starting to get better before this little fall but will tell you I am doing horribly now. Good Luck.