I have been a life long hiker and backpacker. Over the prior 18 months I had developed an intense pain in my hip during any walking activity. This had gotten worse so that I could barely walk to the end of the block. I contacted Memorial Orthopedic Surgical Group and initially saw a hip specialist. After his exam, he said my pain was not caused by the hip joint, likely caused from a nerve problem in the spine and ordered a MRI, and follow up with Dr. Bhalla. In meeting with Dr. Bhalla he reviewed the MRI results with me in detail, explaining my condition as degenerative anterolisthesis, and stenosis. He explained the options for treatment very thoroughly, and answered my questions. I first tried an epidural injection, but this did not result in any relief. I again met with Dr. Bhalla, and discussed my condition and the surgical option. He took the time to discuss the details of the surgery, and answer all my questions. I then had a Lumbar Laminectomy with robotic assisted instrumentation and fusion at L4-L5. The experience at Memorial Hospital was excellent. As soon as I woke up, the pain in my hip was gone. Follow up visits with Dr. Bhalla and home exercises completed my recovery. I was hiking moderate trails within 2-3 months, and backpacking again 6 months after surgery when the fusion was substantially complete. Dr. Bhalla, the staff at his office and at the hospital were very good to me throughout the diagnosis, surgery and recovery process.
