Neck surgery patient discusses life years after procedure at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Shannon de la Riva had experienced some neck pain and suffered an injury. In 2014 she was advised to get an MRI at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. Dr. Hwang reviewed de la Riva's MRI results and determined she needed surgery on her neck to remove two discs which were impinging a spinal nerve root.

"Surgery is not always the immediate solution to patients' back and neck pain issues," said Dr. Hwang. "Non-surgical options include conventional treatments such as medications and physical therapy. Interventional pain management procedures are also treatment options. Whether surgery is needed is determined after a physician assesses several factors such as a patient's medical history, pain description, the location of the pain, physical examination and MRI results."

Dr. Hwang performed surgery on de la Riva's neck after she unsuccessfully tried to find pain relief through conventional and interventional pain management.

"I had some pain before I was injured while on vacation in June 2014," described de la Riva, who is also an employee at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital. "After the injury I began experiencing excruciating pain in the upper left side of my back, shoulder blade and arms. I frequently experienced shooting pain radiating throughout my left arm. The pain was so unbearable that surgery became the only option."  

According to the National Institutes of Health, back pain affects eight out of 10 people and is one of the top reasons doctors' appointments are scheduled. About 30 percent of the population has an episode of neck pain each year. While many causes of neck and back pain may resolve without intervention, chronic ongoing pain can negatively impact daily tasks, hobbies and the overall quality of life. Age, poor physical fitness, being overweight, heredity and smoking can all increase a person's risk of being affected by back pain.   

"The surgery relieved all pain I was experiencing and I regained full range of motion and use of my neck within months post-operatively," said de la Riva. "Initially, I was worried about the long-term ramifications of surgery, but, I trusted the expertise of Dr. Hwang. He provided me with the best possible plan of care and I trusted his surgical skills."

Dr. Hwang is board-certified and fellowship trained in orthopedic spine surgery. He specializes in minimally invasive treatments and has a conservative approach to spinal disorders. He completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine, where he received the Bronze Hammer and Leonard Marmor Arthritis Foundation awards. He trained as a fellow at the University of California Davis Medical Center.

Some of the services available at the Houston Methodist Willowbrook Spine Center include onsite MRI and CT scanners, electromyography (EMG), a comfortable and private spine rehabilitation treatment area, specialized spine therapists and neurologists, and an onsite surgical suite. For more information and to learn more about available services, visit houstonmethodist.org/orthopedics or call 281.737.1900 to schedule an appointment.

About Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Utilizing the latest research and state-of-the-art technology, Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine has become the leader in orthopedic care in Northwest Houston. Setting new standards and raising the bar in quality of care, an elite group of orthopedic surgeons with subspecialties in foot and ankle, hand and wrist, hip and spine and sports medicine collaborate with primary care sports medicine physicians and rehabilitation therapists to offer patients of all ages the least invasive, advanced treatment options available.  Call 281.737.0999 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

About Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a 312 bed, not-for-profit, faith-based hospital, which is part of Houston Methodist. The hospital has expanded in Northwest Houston to serve the comprehensive health care needs of the growing community.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has been named a Magnet recognized health care facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program^®.

Houston Methodist Willowbrook is ranked No. 4 in the Houston metro area and No. 8 in Texas by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best Hospital" in 2015. 

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a regional referral center specializing in cardiology and cardiovascular services, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics and sports medicine, and comprehensive cancer services. Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has a Breast Care Center, Cancer Center, Imaging Center, Infusion Center Sleep Center, Surgical Weight Loss Center and operates the largest Childbirth Center in the Greater Northwest Houston area.

For more information on the comprehensive services available on the Houston Methodist Willowbrook campus and to learn about upcoming events, please visit houstonmethodist.org/willowbrook.  To find a physician, call 281.737.2500.

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SOURCE Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital