Jesse's Testimonial: 15 Years of Pain to Freedom

Jesse from Eugene, Oregon lived with relentless back and leg pain for 15 years—nerve pain, limits on walking the dog, even bending to tie a shoe. After trying injections, PT, acupuncture, and more, he chose artificial disc replacement with Dr. Johnson at Summit Orthopaedics.

Guided by a thorough work‑up, a supportive team, and modern techniques, surgery put him on a new path. The next day he was walking the hall; at eight months he’s working out daily and cleared to snowboard and snowmobile—smiling at how different life feels. If long‑term pain has taken over your days, contact Summit Orthopaedics in Idaho Falls at (208) 227‑1100 or visit summitortho.net.

Chapters

‍00:00 Jesse’s life in constant pain

00:18 Everything he tried before surgery

‍00:43 Finding Summit and Dr. Johnson

‍01:02 Surgery day and first steps after

‍01:18 Eight‑month update: back to activity

‍01:58 Message to others in pain

My name is Jesse McMillan, and I’m from Eugene, Oregon. For 15 years—every minute, every second—I lived with chronic pain. Not a little here and there; every single moment of every day. It was bad. I had to learn how to live with it.

I was traveling for work selling medical equipment, helping other people with their pain while dealing with my own. I had to limit everything. I couldn’t work out. I couldn’t walk my dog. The nerve pain shot down my leg. Some days I couldn’t even bend over to tie my shoe. I honestly thought I’d be on pain pills for the rest of my life—still taking them at 80. I didn’t want to live like that.

I tried it all: epidurals, injections, dry needling, acupuncture, physical therapy, oxygen injections—so many things. But you have to get to the root of the problem; you can’t keep putting a band-aid on it.

I found a forum post about Dr. Robert Johnson. It said he was the first surgeon in the world to combine robotics while placing artificial discs. I thought, “This sounds like my guy.” I did the nerve tests and all the work-up. Monica, his assistant, guided me through every step. I had the surgery—and the next day I was walking down the hall, up a couple stairs, and on my way to recovery.

Eight months later
I truly feel Dr. Johnson was the difference for me. I’m eight months out now and I’ve never felt better. I work out every morning. I just got cleared to snowmobile and snowboard—things I haven’t done in over 15 years. Back then I could barely walk; now all of this feels like a gift.

I catch myself driving and smiling for no reason, sometimes wanting to cry because of how good I feel and how much my life has changed. That’s the honest truth. If you’re in pain and don’t know what to do, Summit Orthopaedics helped me get to healing and to where I am now. Dr. Johnson changed my life, and I’ll be forever grateful.

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