But when he began to feel a severe pain in his right leg beginning in mid-2009, the Jackson resident figured he should see his doctor.
An MRI revealed that the pain was caused by a herniated disk. Disks cushion the vertebrae in the spine; a herniated disk is one that has slipped out of place. Arthur's doctor injected him with epidural anesthesia to help block the pain.
Arthur's pain persisted, however, so his wife, Donna, a nurse anesthesiologist, recommended that he see a specialist: Ramil Bhatnagar, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
"While back pain is very common, the underlying causes are quite complex and the effects can make it difficult to perform routine tasks," explains Dr. Bhatnagar. The spine specialists at Jersey Shore work closely with primary care physicians, therapists, and other specialists to provide the most advanced treatment options — medical and surgical — to help patients resume the active lifestyle they want.
During Arthur's consultation, Dr. Bhatnagar recommended a surgery called posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), in which a carbon fiber cage filled with bone graft is placed between two vertebrae. "In this surgery, I place screws and rods in the patient's back to hold the spine in position while the bone heals," said Dr. Bhatnagar. "I believed this procedure was the best course for Arthur because of his pain and spinal instability."
Arthur went home to discuss his surgical options with Donna, but not long after his consultation, he was in the garage working on his tractor when he suddenly collapsed from severe back pain.
"My wife called 911. When we got into the ambulance, I instructed the EMTs to take me directly to Jersey Shore University Medical Center," says Arthur. "I knew at that time I needed PLIF immediately, and I only wanted it performed by Dr. Bhatnagar."
Dr. Bhatnagar met Arthur at Jersey Shore. "He took the time to answer all my questions and put me at ease prior to the surgery," Arthur says. "I knew I was in great hands going into the operating room."
Just a day after surgery, Arthur was out of bed walking with no nerve pain for the first time in a long time. Today, just nine months later, he is back to exercising and cutting his lawn with nothing more than those common aches and pains — Rob Cavanaugh
About the Doctor
Ramil S. Bhatnagar, M.D.
Board certified in Orthopedic Surgery
Manasquan | 732-974-0404
