Lowcountry Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine

"Good... handicap parking was hard to find the day I went."

"Everyone are always kind and courteous. Always on schedule, and never rude..(even the Doctors)..LOL.."

"I had suffered excruciating neck pain & moderate lumbar pain since Nov. 2022. In January 2023, I could no longer work due to the neck pain and neurological symptoms (loss of balance, left side weakness and facial numbness, chronic shooting head pains). I sought help from a major healthcare facility, seeing an ortho surgeon (and after no help from ortho, I saw a neuro surgeon), which done my MRI that showed the 2 cervical failing discs and obvious compression but they refused to do anything with my neck other than send me to Pain Management. I was in pain every day and at times it was so excruciating that I considered ending my own pain; I was not willing to trade off the pain for an addiction to pain medication so I refused to even pursue that route. They never offered me ANY medication. I had to beg them for some Gabapentin to try but it didn't help much. Ultimately, I didn't want any medication, I wanted a chance to be "fixed" and recover in hopes of being able to work again so I sought surgery. I found Lowcountry Ortho online and read some reviews and hoped and prayed they would listen and offer me some hope. In Feb., I went in and talked to Carey and explained my pain and my reason for surgery over injections or pain meds; he offered ACDF surgery for the 2 cervical discs that were compressing on nerves. I broke down in tears at just having the hope to have the pain reduced if not completely resolved. I finally felt heard and not dismissed. I didn't have to mention the surgery I researched; Carey and Dr. Battista had reviewed my MRIs and CT Scans and they offered the ACDF surgery. Carey did offer muscle relaxers because I was tensing my shoulder and neck muscles, 'guarding' my neck pain. Dr. Battista performed my ACDF surgery on 2 cervical discs. It was done at their surgery center, at my request, on March 17, 2023. The staff was wonderful and put me at ease. As I was being prepped for surgery, I met with Dr. Battista and all the other persons who were a part of my surgery, with each telling me their part in the process and then asking if I had any questions. They put me at ease and I gave it to God to have me covered either way. Surgery went well. I had neck soreness, as expected, but the excruciating neck pain was gone. The shooting headaches significantly subsided (I had occasional shooting or dull pains but I had months of nerve compression so I knew that was to be expected.). I am nearly 4 months post-op, now. I go to Physical Therapy for the cervical muscular pain, right shoulder/upper arm muscular pain, and to regain strength in my right arm. I don't know why the right side ended up more affected since the left side was my major affected side to begin with, but it is what it is. I no longer feel like I have been beat with a baseball bat in the back of my neck and head. I still have a lot of work to do on loosening the cervical muscles, I presume from 6 months of 'guarding', and my right arm/shoulder muscles. After removing the cervical brace, I did start getting one headache a week that lasts 10-17 hours on average and causes severe stabbing pain behind the left eye and affects left side of the head, My PCP thinks it is either cervicogenic or cluster headaches and has referred me to a Neurologist (Not at the previous major hospital facility!). PT says the headaches could be caused from the tight muscles from continued 'guarding' and my neck range of motion exercises. It's possible that they will go away as I progress with PT and learn to quit guarding with tensing my neck/shoulder muscles; I am getting relief with daily amitriptyline but I don't want to remain on it so I do my at home PT exercises every day. I am very happy with the results of my surgery! I am grateful, thankful, and blessed to not be in severe pain that was stealing my life away! I went from wanting to end my pain to having hope of being nearly pain-free one day. Will I ever be 100% pain-free? I don't know but I do know I wouldn't be here telling my story without Dr. Battista and his team performing my ACDF surgery!"

"I was told because I was in a wheelchair I was unable to be seen for an MRI at this location. I'm fully functional and independent, able to wheel and transfer myself, but was never asked, just refused the service due to my disability."

"Have been treated by these Excellent Doctors numerous of times and just can not say enough about their Excellent Care! Dr. Santiago is my Number 1 Doctor! Has been able to diagnose and get me up and going on the first visit! Best ortho Dr in the world! Love this man! Knows his work! Entire Staff is just great, I would never go any where else! Keep up the Excellent care! Thank you to all, I certainly appreciate it!"