Frank D’Aurio had chronic pain in his shoulder and hand, as well as nerve damage. When an MRI showed four herniated discs, Frank consulted Artem Y. Vaynman, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., at NSPC.

Several of Frank’s family members are medical professionals, and one is a chiropractor named Michael. “[Michael] said, ‘Frankie, I’ve been telling people not to go to surgery for 35 years. Run to Dr. Vaynman and get on his list for surgery, because you must have surgery.”

As a board certified neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery, Dr. Vaynman sees patients at NSPC with various conditions, including herniated discs, compression fractures, spinal cord injuries, and many others. He is the co-chief of spine surgery at Mercy Medical Center.

Frank had two surgery sessions on two separate days: one for the front and one for the back. To recover, Frank spent several weeks in the hospital and a rehabilitation facility. He says he is very satisfied with his recovery: “The pain is gone, and that is wonderful. … I’m back to swimming, I’m going to talk to the good doctor about some autumn golf, … I’m doing very well.”

Frank shares his advice for chronic pain sufferers considering spinal surgery: “From personal experience, I would tell people, if they suffered from what I suffered from, they know the pain, don’t prolong it.”