Spine Surgery Relieves Pain and Restores Outlook for Patient With Radiculopathy
Celia M. started experiencing radiculopathy — or nerve damage, compression, or irritation — in her right leg in 2024.
Radiculopathy symptoms can include tingling, numbness, pain, and muscle weakness in the affected area.
For Celia, everyday activities began to feel like everyday struggles.
She wasn’t in pain, but the nerve in her leg was being pinched in a way that made walking and standing uncomfortable.
“I cook a lot and live alone, and I do all my dishes by hand,” says Celia, 66, of North Huntingdon, Pa. “It got to the point I could only stand at the counter for a few minutes before I would have to sit down.”
Focusing while at church became a challenge, too.
“I’m supposed to be praying on my knees, but all I could think about was my suffering,” she says. “I would be hoping it was a short Gospel.”
Pain Affecting Quality of Life
Celia tried accommodating for the discomfort at first. She ordered her groceries to be delivered and skipped her stops at Half Priced Books to “schmooze around.” But her condition progressed and started affecting her quality of life too much to ignore.
“It literally became unbearable,” Celia says.
That’s when Celia visited her primary care provider, who referred her to UPMC neurologist Simin Khavandgar, MD, in Monroeville.
Dr. Khavandgar ordered a lower lumbar MRI and found evidence of disc herniation in Celia’s lower back. She quickly referred Celia to neurosurgeon Matt Abbas El-Kadi, MD, who discussed performing a right L4-5 far lateral microdiscectomy.
Far lateral microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique to treat far lateral lumbar disc herniation.
“I had no idea if I would ever walk again. It was so demoralizing for me,” Celia says.
“There are so many things we take for granted. I couldn’t walk around the lake near my house for more than 200 steps without having to stop.”
Celia felt it was time to take the surgery route. On May 22, 2025, Dr. El-Kadi performed a successful right L4-5 far lateral microdiscectomy at UPMC Passavant–McCandless.
Getting Her Own Miracle
A handful of days later, Celia tried walking her usual route around the lake, and something miraculous happened: She found herself walking without the usual discomfort.
“Dr. El-Kadi’s surgery was nothing short of a miracle,” she says. “He restored my ability to walk, but he also restored a new, positive outlook in me. I’m so grateful.”
Today, Celia continues to gain strength and enjoy her pain-free life with a new attitude.
“After this surgery, I have my life back,” she says. “It put things into perspective, like how I have no reason to complain about anything.”
For Celia, her surgery is a reminder of how lucky she is to have her health.
“UPMC cared about me a lot,” she says. “And reminded me that every day is truly a gift.”
Celia's treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
