David's Story

For as long as he can remember, David Phillips has been moving. A lifelong runner, educator, coach, and hands-on problem solver, David filled his days with activity from morning workouts, outdoor projects, restoring classic cars with his son, and spending time with his grandchildren.

But years of worsening back pain slowly took that away. “I’m not someone who likes to sit still,” David says. “When my back started stopping me from doing the things I love, it was incredibly frustrating. I wasn’t just dealing with pain. I was losing my independence.”

When pain took away his independence

What began as post-run stiffness gradually turned into constant pain and nerve symptoms radiating down David’s leg. Walking became difficult. Sitting was nearly impossible. Even sleeping provided little relief. 

Despite physical therapy, medications, and injections, David’s condition continued to worsen. Eventually, imaging revealed severe lumbar spinal stenosis, nerve compression, and spinal instability across multiple levels. That’s when David met Ilyas Aleem, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. 

“When David first came to us, he was severely debilitated,” Dr. Aleem explains. “He had significant nerve compression from L2 to L5 and instability in the spine. His quality of life had been deeply affected.” After exhausting non-surgical options, spinal surgery became the best path forward.

Building a plan for a solid fusion

David underwent a multi-level lumbar decompression and spinal fusion, a major procedure with one critical goal: achieving solid fusion so the spine could heal and stabilize. 

“Spinal fusion is a biological healing process,” Dr. Aleem notes. “In patients like David, who have certain health risk factors, there’s an increased risk that the bones won’t fuse completely.” That’s why Dr. Aleem recommended adding the Orthofix SpinalStim™ bone growth therapy device as part of David’s recovery plan. The SpinalStim device is a noninvasive, wearable bone growth therapy designed to support spinal fusion by delivering low-level electrical stimulation that promotes bone healing. 

The first normal stride in two years

Recovery didn’t happen overnight—but then came the moment David still remembers clearly. “I stood up and walked across the kitchen without my cane,” he says. “It was the first normal stride I’d taken in over two years. That was huge.” 

As weeks passed, pain continued to fade. Strength returned. Confidence followed. 

This patient story show an individual’s response to treatment.  They are 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. 

Ilyas Aleem, MD, is a paid consultant for Orthofix.