I was concerned about the substantial number of patients who have permanent problems after open surgery and did not want to have an operation that involves removal of normal bone and ligament unless it was absolutely necessary.

Dr. Ditsworth told me that open surgery was not necessary in my case. He treats this most difficult level commonly with his outpatient, percutaneous technique. 40% of his cases are at L5-S1. With his success rate of 94% and 10 years experience in doing outpatient spine surgery, I decided to fly to los angeles.

On february 2nd, Dr. Ditsworth did my outpatient spine procedure. It was done in the operating room with an anesthesiologist giving medication to assure there was no pain. I felt no pain. After the procedure I was fine. The next morning I flew to las vegas and was able to sit all through a medical meeting with no problem. Then I returned to hawaii and went immediately back to work. For me there was no time lost at all. The best part is that within a few weeks I was able to return to playing basketball and have continued to do so. I have not had any further lumbar disc problems and am delighted with my result.

Dr. Ditsworth is board certified in neurosurgery, trained at yale and works at major private ucla-affiliated hospitals in los angeles. He has developed the basic non traumatic equipment and surgical techniques for outpatient non traumatic spine surgery and teaches other spine surgeons from around the world.

Most people can not believe it is me walking down the road until they see my face - my mobility has so greatly improved from since you worked on me. Thank you so very much. Although I believe I still have a ways to go with the therapy - trunk strengthening, endurance etc., my pain level has been dropping,- there really is not a lot to compare. After the hole I had put myself in for 3 years before I walked through your doors - I know I am on the way back up the hill. You and your staff have done a great job.

In addition, I must say that it has been a pleasure and an honor for me to talk on the phone with other people considering the procedure when they are referred by your office. Thank you for entrusting me with such an important undertaking.

The outstanding result I was fortunate to get from your unique procedure is great to convey to others. I like to imagine that doing so holds out a kind of hope and promise for back pain sufferers. I suspect that many get to a place where they are at a loss about what to do or are in need of an encouraging word to make the decision to try surgery. By sharing about my own experience with researching herniated disc related pain, understanding historical and contemporary treatment methods, and ultimately electing to choose your minimally invasive procedure, I try to empower the people I speak with to become more informed about the choices they have. And, I emphasize the personal commitment and hard work I believe patients must make to the successive phases of post-surgical physical therapy you prescribe, as magical as the instantaneous relief afforded by the procedure can be.

For me, I could not have imagined an easier post-surgical experience than leaving the hospital after a few hours with a band aid and flying back to New York from California - comfortably - early the next morning. If I say I got off the plane, took a cab home, showered and went to theater that night it will sound like a setup and over the top - but it is true!

Please accept my warmest appreciation and acknowledgement for the good work you do.

I am better than ever and am eternally grateful.

It is one year to the day that I had the surgery and I refer patients to you from my dental practice and they have gone to see you.

Thanks forever!

I workout at the gym, do weight training,and ski. I feel like my back is in better shape than it has been in years. The most benefitial thing I did was start yoga immediately after finishing up my 2 months of traction post surgery.

The stretching caused me to recover very quickly. I still do the yoga and probably will for life. I achieved excellent results and recommend the surgery frequently. My PMD is amazed and has referred patients to Dr Ditsworth.

Now, I look forward to doing most everything. My biggest accomplishment is being able to sleep the whole night without waking up in pain. I used to cry every night because to lie down was absolute torture. I tried many alternatives to surgery before I decided to have it. I went to the chiropractor, the acupunturist, I took Chinese herbs, did exercises and went to physical therapy all to no avail. I wish these treatments would have worked, but with no success, I turned to Dr. Ditsworth. I wanted to find a surgery that was minimally invasive, and even though I live in Florida, I was willing to travel to get the procedure I was looking for.

Now, I have a totally different outlook on life. I was scared before the surgery, not because I was afraid to have it, but because I was afraid that it wouldn't work. I am happy to report that it did work, and with the help of physical therapy, I am a new person. I am now getting back into working out and strengthening my body. I believe this is the secret to a long-lasting effect of the surgery. I do not EVER want to go back to that horrible place I was in before the surgery. I thank Dr. Ditsworth and all their staff for my wonderful recovery. Thank you.

I have been referring people to you and/or your website since my operation. More specifically, I have a friend scheduled for surgery here in Indiana next Friday and I've tried to get him to send you his MRI films to see if you think you can help him, but his Dr.'s are telling him that procedure is not right for his condition. he has a bulge in L4-L5. Same as what I had. Can you please give me more info. I'd hate to see anyone go through that much risk if they don't have to.

Anyone with a L5-S1 herniation should proceed directly to your office

I'm a professianol writer & serious runner.

I have gone on to run many races including marathons and also had my first running book published. It's doing VERY well.

I am back to what I was before surgery. MANY THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Because of you, that suffering is now in the past. I am now sitting, moving, and exercising free from pain. My patent litigation practice is now more enjoyable and successful. In fact every waking moment is now more enjoyable.

My life is different since the operation, and I live my days with a new perspective. I now know how fortunate I am to be well and how important it is to enjoy every day of life. I have en empathy for people having to endure pain from sickness or injury that I did not have before.

I suppose there are some things one cannot understand until one has experienced them himself. For one year, at the are of thirty-eight, I was on old man, and now I am young again. Again, thank you. If there is anything I can do for you, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I had immediate relief from the low back and leg pain after surgery. I have had occasional disc pain over the past year, but the last episode of disc pain was months ago.

I can run, walk, jump, and exercise daily. I am careful I do not cause any additional injury to my back. I owe Dr. Ditsworth for returning my life to me again. Thank you...Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

I can't thank you all enough for giving me my life back. i'm still on the mend, but now I know that soon I will be able to scuba dive again and do all the activities that mean so much to me. Dr. Ditsworth, you are blessed with a wonderful gift - you give people hope and their life back with little to no pain and less recovery time. you have surrounded yourself with a fabulous, caring staff. My mom and I joke sometimes about her and I being a mother-daughter team and figured you probably don't see that too often. I want to thank you for fixing her too - she is doing quite well and she is no longer having severe pain. it means so much to me to have her feeling good again. I would recommend you to anyone with a herniated disc or similar problem. You give someone a better option that was never here before. i know I would not have had "open" back surgery because of the risk, pain, and time it takes to heal. I had severe pain in my back for 11 months before I found you and was "fixed". My first doctor told me to live with it for at least 5 years before he would recommend surgery. I couldn't live that long in pain and not being able to do anything. So, thank you-all of you- for your wonderful work and extra kindness. You will all be in my prayers.