Keith Walters

Spinal Stenosis (Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi):

Dr. Sheeraz Qureshi is arguably my favorite doctor. I first connected with him after experiencing pain throughout my right leg and wondered if it was back related due to consistent back pain. I was told by a local pain management doctor that the issue was spinal stenosis.

I immediately thought of HSS since I had a great experience with Dr. Mark Figgie, who did bilateral knee replacement surgery in 2008.

I searched the HSS website for spine specialists in Paramus or Westchester. I try to avoid going into Manhattan unless absolutely necessary. I spotted Dr. Qureshi's information and was impressed by his knowledge. Just reading the titles to his journal article said to me that he really knows his stuff. I was also intrigued by his minimum invasion surgery approach. I liked the idea of not having my back completely cut open. The recovery process from that could have been a few months up to a year.

Dr Qureshi strongly suggested spinal fusion of the L4-L5 area of my spine. Not knowing what all that entailed I asked many questions which he easily answered for me. He explained how the minimal invasive surgery works compared to traditional surgery. He even reviewed with me all the images of my spine pointing out what he saw and explained the process to correct it. I’m still amazed as to how just a few small holes in my back and one larger one in my side allowed him to put all surgical equipment in to do the fusion work.

The surgery was very successful. I was able to do all that I wanted and needed to do. That included riding a bike. It took around six weeks for the recovery process. I returned to him three years later with some more issues with my right leg. They were not as intense as before yet still bothersome. He offered spinal decompression for both my lower back and my neck which had some pain issues. Those procedures were quick and fixed those issues with no further treatment at this time.

Now Dr. Qureshi is truly a busy guy. With doing the spinal surgical work, overseeing the HSS Florida hospital, plus a multitude of other things you would think that he’s unreachable. That is further from the truth. He responds to every email I’ve sent him in a timely manner with helpful information including when there is a need to look into medical intervention. No problem seems to be too small for him. He has even referred me to a few excellent doctors at HSS who have helped me with their expertise in their chosen specialties.

Plus, his support staff is the best anyone could ask for. They can easily triage a problem, saving Dr. Qureshi and myself time and allowing him a chance to figure out the need for medical treatment or not.

If there is ever a need for more work on my spine I’ll reach out to him. No one could do as good of a job keeping calm and informed than Dr. Qureshi.

Right Hip Replacement (Dr. Michael Ast):

I met Dr. Ast after being referred to him by Dr. Qureshi. At first I wonder if that was the right choice. The information I read on him seemed to me to suggest that he was more focused on knee issues. After a group email chat with him and Dr Qureshi, I decided to see Dr. Ast.

He reviewed the images of my hip and said that a hip replacement was in order. After having both knees replaced years ago from Dr. Mark Figgie at HSS I wanted to know about recover time and physical therapy. Dr. Ast said the hip healing process if far easier than knees. I was shocked when he basically said that physical therapy wouldn't start for a while after surgery. I repeatedly questioned that to him. He accepted those concerns and repeatedly reassured me that the recovery process would be different from the knee replacements. I truly had a mindset that the recovery would be much like the knee replacements. Sure enough I was wrong.

The surgery was successful and there was only minimal pain issues. I was able to ride a bike the following spring. If my left him needs work then I'll be contacting Dr. Ast. That will be a harder surgery due to an old fracture and the hardware placed to repair that hip. I know he'll be able to make that replacement work as well as the first.

Rotator Cuff Tear (Dr. Tony Wanich):

I met with Dr. Wanich after being referred by Dr. Qureshi. I actually saw a different doctor at HSS about my torn rotator cuff. That doctor pretty much said "surgery or else". Not what I wanted to hear. With Dr. Wanich, the experience was completely different. He walked me through the various options I had being repairing to rotator cuff, doing a reverse shoulder replacement, or do non-surgical treatments including physical therapy. I struggled with figuring out what I wanted to do. I even called him while I was on vacation. That's how much I struggled with this. He reassured me that he would work with what ever I choose to do. So far I haven't had surgery. With any luck I won't. The recovery time is very long limiting me from the things I like and need to do. If there is a need for surgery I'll reach out to Dr. Wanich. Trust has been established which it the most important thing needed when it comes issues like this.