Megan's Testimonial | Life After Artificial Disc Replacement: My Back Pain Story

For more than a decade, debilitating back pain derailed daily life—countless MRIs and X‑rays, injections, physical therapy, and doctor visits with no lasting relief. As the disc deteriorated to “no disc left,” simple things—riding in a car, getting dressed, taking family trips—became impossible.

After meeting with Dr. Johnson at Summit Orthopaedics and moving forward with artificial disc replacement, everything changed. He listened, took time to answer questions, and built a plan that restored function and hope. Today, travel, sports weekends, and everyday routines are back. If chronic back pain is stopping your life, schedule a visit with Summit Orthopaedics in Idaho Falls at (208) 227‑1100 or visit summitortho.net.

Chapters

‍00:00 Debilitating pain for 10–12 years

00:18 “I tried everything” without relief

‍00:44 Disc deterioration to no disc left

‍01:00 How pain impacted family and life

‍01:22 Meeting Dr. Johnson and choosing ADR

‍01:38 Life after surgery: travel and normal routines

‍01:52 Message of hope

I’ve had debilitating back pain for about 10 to 12 years. I saw multiple doctors, had more MRIs and X-rays than I can count, and tried injections, physical therapy—everything. Because I was young and it wasn’t from an accident, I was often told I’d be fine. But I knew my body, and it kept getting worse. My discs deteriorated to the point there was no disc left.

It affected my relationship with my husband and children. We couldn’t take family vacations. I couldn’t ride in a car for more than 20 minutes. The breaking point was when I couldn’t even get myself dressed. You don’t realize how often you use your back—until it stops working.

Meeting Dr. Johnson and choosing ADR
Artificial disc replacement with Dr. Robert Johnson changed my life. He truly listened and spent as much time as I needed. I’m a whole new person. I don’t know how I lived so long with that level of pain—you almost forget what life felt like before it.

Life after surgery
Now I can dress myself without it being a chore. We’re planning our first family vacation, and I even managed a 12-hour road trip to a tournament—something that would have been impossible before. To anyone hurting and losing hope: don’t give up. It can get better, and you can have your life back.

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