Back in Action

The spine, our body’s backbone, is a marvel of nature. It’s made up of bones, nerves, and tissues working together to support us. But oftentimes, an injury or wear and tear can press on the nerves and cause a lot of pain. Generally, doctors attempt to address patients’ spine issues through physical therapy whenever possible. However, if the injury is too severe or therapy does not work, consulting an orthopedic spine surgeon is often the best option.

Orthopedics is the branch of medicine that focuses on disorders and injuries to the musculoskeletal system — your bones, muscles, joints, and other connective tissues. For many people with joint injuries or pain, orthopedic surgeons can make a huge difference in quality of life. Orthopedic surgeons can restore function by repairing a wide range of conditions, such as fractures, joint injuries, sports injuries, arthritis, congenital disorders, and degenerative diseases. For some patients, that might mean just being able to get out of bed in the morning.

Visalia native Mann Harrison had been living with progressively worsening back pain for years. By 2023, his condition had become so severe that he could barely leave his bed, and even the simplest movements were an immense struggle.

“After a while, I could barely move around. I was desperate for some kind of relief,” he recalls. “Dr. Feng was one of the doctors who saw me in the hospital, and he told me he could help.”

Frank L. Feng, DO, an orthopedic surgeon at Sequoia Orthopaedic & Spine Institute in Visalia, is one of the many trusted surgeons who perform complex surgeries at Kaweah Health. He treats most orthopedic conditions and performs many types of surgeries including spine, total joint replacements, carpal tunnel, as well as treatment of fractures, both surgically and non-surgically. In addition, Dr. Feng helps patients with pain management through procedures like epidural injections, spinal cord stimulators, and pain pumps. For more than 25 years, he has been dedicated to helping countless individuals like Mann, and finds immense fulfillment in his work.

“I truly strive to assist people with difficult problems,” Dr. Feng says. “Spinal conditions can be life-altering and sometimes life-threatening, and I want to help them regain a better quality of life. It’s incredibly gratifying for both me and my staff to be able to make such a positive impact.”

In Mann’s case, the tissue between the vertebrae in his spine had become damaged due to wear and tear from years of sports and construction work.

“Over time and consistent use, these tissues can degrade, causing the bones in your spine to compress and pinch nerves, which can result in severe pain,” Dr. Feng explains. “That was precisely Mann’s situation. His nerves were being pinched so severely that his pain was constant and debilitating. He also had an undiagnosed stress fracture in the back of the spinal column.”

To remedy the intense, daily pain Mann was experiencing, Dr. Feng performed a spinal fusion surgery. This procedure involves permanently joining two or more vertebrae in the spine to relieve pain, correct issues, and restore stability. The fusion prevents movement between the vertebrae, aiming to reduce discomfort. Surgeons insert bone or bonelike material between the vertebrae, sometimes using metal plates, screws, or rods to hold them in place.

For Mann, the result was truly life-changing.

“I am a completely different man today,” he says. “I am walking again, and there is no more nerve pain.”

Dr. Feng affirms that outcomes from spinal fusion surgery are typically very positive.

“The technology and techniques available today are better than ever, and patients are able to regain a much higher quality of life,” he says.