Spine Surgery Relieves Extreme Back and Leg Pain for Physician Athlete

After struggling with excruciating pain in her lower back and right leg for over six months, Christi Crumpecker, MD, is now pain-free. In fact, she feels so good she hopes to compete in Masters CrossFit and local weightlifting events.

“I went from believing I would never walk comfortably again to being in the best shape I’ve been in for decades,” Dr. Crumpecker says.

She credits the expertise of Stephen L. Reintjes Jr., MD, a neurosurgeon and spine specialist with Meritas Health Neurosurgery. And Dr. Crumpecker knows good care when she sees it — she’s a family medicine physician.

“Doctors are notoriously picky about their own physicians, which is why I chose Dr. Reintjes Jr. He listened to my goals and understood the need to preserve my ability to move naturally. I can’t say enough great things about him.”

With expert care and a positive attitude, Dr. Crumpecker was able to conquer her pain and return to the active lifestyle she loves.

Finding the Source of Her Pain

Dr. Crumpecker’s pain began unexpectedly in January 2021. While making phone calls to find COVID-19 vaccines for her patients and leaned forward to grab a pen before it rolled off her desk. In an instant, her whole world changed: She felt a popping sensation in her back that triggered severe and lasting pain.

“At first, like most docs I know, I didn’t seek medical care. I just took an over-the-counter pain reliever. The pain went away for a little while, so I went on with my life. But over the next few weeks, I developed increasingly painful sciatica in my leg. And it wasn’t going away,” she shares.

Dr. Crumpecker tried everything from physical therapy, massage and chiropractic care to acupuncture, anti-inflammatory medicines and joint injections. But nothing helped. Night and day, life was a challenge.

“I couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time. I had trouble driving. And bearing weight on my leg was difficult, so I had a significant limp,” she remembers. “And although my job isn’t physically rigorous, I do need to move around to examine my patients. I also missed my workouts, but I could barely get out of a chair — and that’s just not how I want to live!”

Seeking a Solution

Initially, Dr. Crumpecker sought care through another health system. Her MRI revealed a herniated disk, but she wasn’t comfortable with the surgical recommendations she received. She was also concerned about possible limitations on her future mobility.

“They didn’t seem to see me as an athlete,” she recalls. “But I wasn’t going to be happy knitting in a rocking chair. I left discouraged, scared and in a lot of pain.”

That’s when Dr. Crumpecker got a second opinion from Dr. Reintjes Jr. He reviewed her MRI thoroughly and showed her where a fluid-filled cyst had formed on her sciatic nerve. She finally understood why she was having pain, and why she’d lost function in her right leg. But even more importantly, Dr. Reintjes Jr. seriously considered her desire to live an active life.

Enjoying the Results of Expert Surgical Care

Together, Dr. Crumpecker and Dr. Reintjes Jr. considered surgical and nonsurgical options.

“Since she wanted to return to weightlifting, I suggested a conservative surgical approach combined with physical therapy,” Dr. Reintjes Jr. explains. “Our goal was to preserve as much natural movement for her as possible.”

He removed the cyst and performed a laminectomy, a procedure to remove a small piece of bone in her spine to relieve the pressure on her spinal cord. He also did a foraminotomy to widen the opening in Dr. Crumpecker’s spine where the nerve roots leave the spinal canal.

And she’s thrilled with her results.

“I was pretty much pain-free the moment I opened my eyes,” she recalls. “Doctors often make very scared patients, and I was no exception. But my care team put me at ease, treating me with kindness and respect every step of the way.”

Using Recovery for Personal Growth and Transformation

From the beginning, Dr. Reintjes Jr. was optimistic and encouraging about Dr. Crumpecker’s return to weightlifting but also honest that it would take time – and lots of physical therapy.

“So, I took all the precautions and used the recovery period as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation,” Dr. Crumpecker explains.

She listened to her medical team, vigilantly performed her therapy exercises, and when the time was right, she was given the okay to work with a fitness trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist to safely return to her sport. Now, a year after surgery, she feels stronger than ever.

“I lost almost 40 pounds over the last year,” she notes. “I’m also building mental strength and confidence. It’s been a positive journey. And I’m grateful I chose Dr. Reintjes Jr. and North Kansas City Hospital for my care.”