Spine Patient Stories

Every person has a story. When it comes to health care experiences at UPMC, we like to let our patients tell their stories.

Here are a few accounts from some of the many people we have treated for spine issues.

Jean Adams: Back Pain Relief

Jean had spinal stenosis, a degenerative spine problem requiring minimally invasive surgery. Read about her story and experience at UPMC.

Read Jean Adams's story

Allison DeAngelis: Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation

Allison poses at the base of a natural rock archway in Arizona.

Frustrated by the continuous intense ache and cramping pain in her leg, Allison turned to the experts at UPMC for help.

Read Allison DeAngelis's story

Vickie F.: Spinal Stenosis Surgery

After decades of spine pain, surgery finally relieved Vickie of her suffering and restored her independence.

Read Vickie's story

Barbara Fritz: Schwannoma Tumor

A bad fall led to the discovery of a massive nerve tumor pressing on Barbara’s spinal cord and aorta. Learn more about her story.

A bad fall led to the discovery of a massive nerve tumor pressing on Barbara’s spinal cord and aorta. Learn how a team of UPMC surgeons worked together using the latest technology to successfully remove the dangerous growth.

Read Barbara Fritz's story

David Hanna: Spinal Fusion Surgery

Chronic back pain plagued Dave Hanna. Multiple surgeries over the years provided relief and enabled him to continue golfing — his favorite activity. But doctors warned that his lumbar spinal stenosis would ultimately require spinal fusion surgery. When he couldn’t walk or stand for more than a few minutes, Dave finally called UPMC for help.

Chronic back pain plagued Dave Hanna of New Kensington for decades. Multiple surgeries over the years provided relief and enabled him to continue golfing — his favorite activity. But doctors warned that his lumbar spinal stenosis would ultimately require spinal fusion surgery. When he couldn’t walk or stand for more than a few minutes, Dave finally called UPMC for help.

Read Dave Hanna's story

Bob Keeley: Cervical Fracture (Broken Neck)

Bob was riding his mountain bike down a trail at Snowshoe, W.Va., when he flipped head over heels, breaking his neck in the crash. Learn how the Delaware financial advisor found his way to UPMC, where a team of surgeons collaborated to ease his pain and stabilize his spine.

Read Bob Keeley's story

Michael Kweder: Lumbosacral Pseudarthrosis

A bad fall on icy steps just a year after undergoing spinal fusion surgery left Michael Kweder in severe and debilitating pain. Unfortunately, years of therapy did nothing to help. The 61-year-old was stooped over and using a walker when he turned to the experts at UPMC for relief.

Read Michael Kweder's story

Kevin Luster: Back Pain

Kevin Luster, 62, was doing construction at a friend’s house in April 2020 when he fell and broke his back — for the second time in 20 years.

Read Kevin Luster's story

Mike Russo: Spinal Reconstruction Surgery

After nearly 30 spinal fusion surgeries over a 20-year span, Mike underwent spinal reconstruction surgery in 2023 and 2024 at UPMC.

Read Mike Russo's story

Ryan: L1 Spinal Fracture

It was only Ryan's second time skiing when he jumped off a ramp and landed wrong, leading to torn back muscles and an L1 spinal fracture that was causing paralysis from the waist down. Learn about Ryan's emergency spine surgery and rehab, as well as how he is beating the odds today.

Read Ryan's story

Matt Salerno: Neck Pain

For years, Matt had searched for ways to relieve his neck pain. Finally in 2021, he was referred to the UPMC Program for Spine Heath.

Read Matt Salerno's story

Eileen Scott: Scoliosis

Eileen, born with scoliosis, had spent her lifetime dealing with chronic back pain. When her pain become so severe that she could barely walk, she turned to the UPMC Program for Spine Health for help.

Read Eileen's story

Stephanie: A Spine Surgery Success

Stephanie has long brown hair that is blowing in the wind. She is wearing diamond earrings. She is standing outside.

Stephanie is glad to once again be an active participant in her own life after spine surgery.

Read Stephanie's story

Marisette V.: Spinal Stenosis, Spondylosthesis, and Kidney Removal

After spine and kidney surgery, Marisette, 65, is healing and hopeful—ready to retire in Holland. Learn more about her story.

Marisette V., 65, a software engineer and rower from Verona, Pa., faced spinal stenosis and a suspected kidney tumor in 2023. After minimally invasive spine surgery and kidney removal at UPMC Presbyterian in 2024, she’s recovering well and grateful to her care team. She now looks forward to retiring in Holland with renewed health.

Read Marisette's story

Kimberly Zello: Finding Hope After a Spinal Tumor

Kim Z., a 62-year-old grandmother from Latrobe, Pa.,, saw her active life collapse when worsening back pain and numbness left her unable to walk. After months of misdiagnosis, she was rushed to UPMC Presbyterian, where surgeons discovered and removed a large spinal tumor. Supported by devoted family, compassionate nurses, and intensive rehabilitation, Kim gradually regained strength, faith, and hope, returning home determined to walk, heal, and reclaim life with her grandchildren again.

Read Kimberly's story

Orland Bethel

After consulting several orthopaedic surgeons, Orland Bethel came to UPMC for help with extreme pain in his hips and lower back.

Read Orland's story.