In early 2022, Arthur O. started experiencing a burning pain at the base of his neck, seemingly out of nowhere. Before long, the pain began radiating down his left arm and into his fingers, making his work as a veterinarian more difficult. “It started impacting my work a great deal,” says Arthur, 72, of Clarion County, Pa. “Then it started impacting the rest of my life.” Jacob B. Smith, DO, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Associates – UPMC in Franklin, Pa., diagnosed Arthur with arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative disc disease, which was causing compression in the nerves going down Arthur’s arms. He prescribed once-a-week physical therapy to help stabilize and strengthen Arthur’s neck, plus steroid injections for pain relief a couple of times a year. This plan worked for almost two years. Arthur’s pain was manageable, and he was able to continue working and enjoying his life. But by summer 2024, the pain had returned — only worse than before. When it reached a point where Arthur could no longer stand the pain, Dr. Smith reevaluated his situation. He ordered an MRI and then decided a cervical spinal fusion would be the next best option for eliminating Arthur's pain. When Arthur woke up the morning after surgery, he was amazed to feel so good. “The numbness, the pain, it was all gone,” he says. “And it’s been a wonderful recovery ever since.” At follow-up appointments, Dr. Smith evaluates Arthur's spinal fusion with cervical x-rays. Only five months later, the two-inch scar on Arthur’s neck is barely visible, disappearing just like his pain. “I can’t say enough good about what Dr. Smith and UPMC did for me," Arthur says. "They gave me my life back.” (fb)

Happy National EMS Week! This week, we celebrate the unwavering commitment and extraordinary courage of our Emergency Medical Services professionals. From paramedics and EMTs to dispatchers and first responders, they are the calm in the chaos, the lifeline in critical moments, and the heart of every emergency response. Thank you for your service and sacrifice! 💙 (fb)