Carolyn's Story

For most of her life, Carolyn defined herself by movement. She was an avid runner, competitive water skier, and cyclist who thrived on physical challenge. Even after becoming a mother, she stayed active, chasing her son across soccer fields, skiing with friends, and saying yes to adventure. But beneath that active lifestyle was a condition she had lived with since adolescence: scoliosis.

When pain took center stage

For years, it was manageable background noise. Until it wasn’t. As Carolyn entered her late 30s and early 40s, the pain became sharper, more persistent and impossible to ignore. “This wasn’t athletic soreness. This was shooting, debilitating pain. Pain that brought tears to my eyes.”

Soon, everyday moments came with consequences she couldn’t afford. She began opting out. Sitting out. Watching life happen from the sidelines and that was something she refused to accept.

Then she met Greg Mundis, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon. Instead of correcting everything at once, Dr. Mundis focused on targeting the source of her pain, using a more conservative, minimally invasive strategy designed to preserve movement and buy time. He said, “You’re young. Let’s do the least we can do for the greatest good.” That changed everything.

Committing to recovery

In May 2014, just four months before her wedding, Carolyn underwent her first surgery. Following the procedure, neurological symptoms forced Dr. Mundis to alter the surgical plan. Carolyn did not receive the stabilizing hardware that was originally intended. Instead, she faced recovery without internal fixation. To support the fusion process and give her confidence during healing, Dr. Mundis prescribed the SpinalStim™ bone growth therapy device.

For Carolyn, it became part of her daily routine and her peace of mind. “I didn’t fully understand the science, but I knew I needed my bones to fuse. I wore it religiously because I wanted to heal as fast and as strong as possible.”

Months later, her X-rays confirmed what she’d been hoping for. She had fused. “Hearing the words ‘you’re fused’ was one of the biggest moments of relief in my life.”

She walked down the aisle, danced carefully at her wedding, and slowly returned to life on her terms.

For nearly a decade, that first surgery gave Carolyn her life back. She returned to work. Sat through games. Skied with her kids. Traveled. Said yes again. She knew another surgery would eventually be necessary, but she pushed it back as long as possible.

Nine years later, escalating pain signaled it was time. By then, Carolyn knew exactly what recovery required and exactly what she wanted included. “I told them I wasn’t doing this surgery without the Orthofix SpinalStim as part of my recovery. I knew what it had given me before.”

In 2024, Carolyn underwent a much more extensive spinal fusion involving rods, screws, and realignment. The recovery was intense, but this time, she had experience and confidence.

Once again, the SpinalStim device became part of her daily recovery ritual. “The second time, I didn’t question it. I knew it worked. I put it on. It became part of my routine — just something I did to help myself heal.” Within weeks, Carolyn was traveling to support her son during his senior year of high school. Months later, she was flying overseas, biking, hiking, and embracing an empty nest alongside her husband.

Getting back to the life she loves

Today, pain no longer dictates Carolyn’s decisions. She practices yoga and Pilates. She sails with friends. She travels freely. She sits in the stands, cheering at her son’s college lacrosse games while being present, engaged, and pain-free.

This patient story shows an individual’s response to treatment.  It is not intended to provide medical advice or any indication or guarantee of the response other people may have to the treatment. Responses to the treatment can and do vary.  Please consult a qualified medical provider for diagnoses and treatment.

Greg Mundis, MD is a paid consultant for Orthofix.