- Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS)

Ralph Chianelli, Lumbar Laminectomy Instrumentation and Fusion

For over fifteen years, Darien High School computer technology trainer Ralph Chianelli frequently suffered from back and leg pain. After a while, household projects became more and more difficult and by the time he was 58, he was easily fatigued and having difficulty walking short distances. Eventually, riding in a car was agonizing and he could no longer enjoy his favorite hobby, working on cars.

After consulting chiropractors, orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons as well as following programs of physical therapy and exercise, he went to see Dr. Paul Apostolides, a neurosurgeon recommended to him by his brother-in-law.

“Upon reading my MRI, he explained that my problem was due to severe spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis or slip-of-the-bone,” said Ralph. “The spinal canal had severely narrowed putting pressure on the spinal nerves which caused my leg pain. In addition, one vertebra had slipped in front of the other and was moving abnormally, causing my back pain. Fortunately, there was a surgery that could help me.”

Dr. Apostolides with Dr. Amory Fiore, performed a laminectomy to widen the spinal canal and decompress the spinal nerves. Then, an instrumentation and fusion were performed to treat the instability using titanium screws and rods, medical grade plastic inter-body cages and bone graft.

Ralph’s recovery was steady through a post-operative routine of physical therapy and a home exercise program. He returned to his job after a two and a half month break to recuperate. Six months later, Ralph and his wife made a three-week trip to China and climbed the Great Wall. “I could never have made the trip before the surgery. It gave me my life back. I feel great!” he said.

Kimberly Olson – Reconstructive Neck surgery

Stamford resident Kimberly Olson was 17 when she was in a roll-over car accident that severely injured her neck. Dr. Paul Apostolides was on call that night and remembers meeting Kimberly in the Greenwich Hospital ER, "She was awake, alert, scared and in a lot of pain. Fortunately, she was able to move her arms and legs." X-rays revealed multiple fractures of the cervical spine.

When Kimberly's parents arrived, they learned their daughter's broken neck could result in long-term pain, loss of feeling, or even permanent paralysis in her limbs. "After reviewing numerous MRIs, CTs, and x-rays, Dr. Apostolides explained that he would have to virtually reconstruct Kimberly's neck," recalled Kimberly’s mother Lorraine. "His assessment of her condition was tough to hear, although he was optimistic about her chances for recovery."

Dr. Apostolides and Dr. Amory Fiore performed the operation, which required decompressing the spinal cord and nerves and realigning, stabilizing and fusing together four adjacent vertebrae in the lower cervical spine using titanium plates, screws and rods and bone graft.

After surgery, Kimberly was placed in a cervical brace to support the neck while it healed. Her recovery was steady and six and a half weeks later, she left for her freshman year in college.

"The surgery exceeded all expectations," said Lorraine. "I can't imagine what would have happened if Dr. Apostolides hadn't walked into the emergency room that night."

Esther Burlingham, 86, Lumbar Discectomy

At 86 years of age, Esther Burlingham of State College, PA is a healthy and active woman, accustomed to an independent lifestyle that includes gardening, volunteer work and traveling. She awoke one morning with considerable pain in her back and right leg. The previous afternoon she had spent raking and pulling weeds in her garden and her physician in Pennsylvania concluded that she had badly strained a muscle. The pain grew worse over time and after five weeks of physical therapy and pain medication, her condition had deteriorated significantly. Searing pain shot into her right thigh whenever she attempted to bear weight on it and she could no longer walk without leaning on a walker. Climbing stairs was all but impossible.

With great difficulty, Esther traveled to Westchester County to visit her daughters for Thanksgiving. They brought her to ONS to see Dr. Mark Camel. Upon reading an MRI of her lower back, he determined that the source of her pain was pressure on the spinal nerve created by a ruptured disc. A 45-minute procedure called a discectomy could end her suffering.

She underwent the operation to remove disc fragments and material from the damaged disc. By the afternoon on the day of surgery she was up and walking with less difficulty, and in less than two weeks she was walking and climbing stairs unassisted.

“What a relief,” said Esther. “I had become so disabled, that I was really concerned I might lose my independence. The surgery was as successful as Dr. Camel predicted and it exceeded my expectations. I only wish I’d had it done sooner.”