"Dr. Choudhri,

It is my hope that these comments will help the general public and other doctors to become more aware of a common problem in the “over 50” population, Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.  I fear there are many people who are bedridden or just barely mobile because no one has been able to diagnose and treat their problem. Many of them might be able to walk and live normal lives again if they received an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

After being unable to walk or climb stairs for 6 months, consulting a family doctor, 2 Neurosurgeons, and 2 Neurologists at a world renowned medical clinic, not a single doctor could tell my WHY I couldn’t walk.  Since all of these physicians were confused and baffled by the symptoms and offered no diagnosis or treatment, my husband and I began an exhausting search on the internet for help. After much research, we concluded that the only disorder that “matched” my symptoms was Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.  My husband found a website that allowed him totype in a condition and search for a physician who treats that condition.  That is how he found Dr. Haroon Choudhri at the Medical College of Georgia.

My husband e-mailed Dr. Choudhri’s office, explaining our dilemma in detail and asked

if he possibly could help us.  That very same day we received a call from Dr. Choudhri’s office and were given an appointment for the following Monday, April 10, 2006.  What a miracle!  

We took all of my medical records and MRIs and Dr. Choudhri very quickly confirmed that our conclusion was correct.  I had Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.  There were 3 bone spurs pressing into the cervical spine, causing my inability to walk.  I wasn’t crazy, after all!  

On May 3, 2006, Dr. Choudhri removed two cervical discs and trimmed two more. He placed a bone graft where the two discs were removed.  The next morning when I was able to get up, I could walk and climb 9 stairs without help.  The recovery time is long, wearing a cervical collar is no fun at all and there are occasional days when I don’t walk well. But in reality, this surgery was the only chance I had to walk again.  I am now able to walk two miles a day on the treadmill and I know I will get  stronger in the months ahead.  Our entire family is so thankful for Dr. Choudhri’s willingness to see me promptly, just from reading my husband’s e-mail, for his surgical expertise and for his commitment to helping people like me to return to a normal and active life."

-- L. J. H., Greenwood, S.C.