Patricia Lurato

I had been suffering for three years with lower back pain and it severely limited my once very active life. I had been treated for a year with PT by an orthopedic doctor, and I gave up when it only got worse and found my own pain doctor, who only shot me full of Cortisone for a year. When I realized he really had no idea what was wrong with me, someone recommended Dr. Massimi. After testing, he advised that my main problem was arthritis in the lower back on my right side and he performed a procedure called Radio Frequency Ablation, which killed the nerves transmitting the arthritis pain. Almost immediately 70% of my pain was gone. He then did an MRI of my lumbar spine and confirmed the remaining pain was caused by my L5 disk being irritated and did an epidural injection. I am now pain free. Both procedures were outpatient. I was in and out in a few hours, with no recovery period to speak of, no side effects, and I have my active life back. Dr. M and the entire staff was professional, caring, and VERY skilled. I would and have recommend them to everyone. I also used the PT facility next door to get some muscle strength back and my PT therapist, Patricia, was the best! I could not be happier that I found HSS!

July 24, 2023:

After working with Dr. Massimi, physiatrist at HSS, who kept me walking for eight years with ablations, spinal injections and medication, and being told by two HSS Spine surgeons they could not help me, Dr. Massimi introduced me to Dr. McAnany, a well-known spine surgeon specializing in minimally invasive surgery. Dr. McAnany examined me and said he thought he could help me - I didn't have a disc problem, my nerves were being pinched by arthritis in my lower spine. I had surgery on March 3, 2023. I was out of the hospital the same day (amazing!) and felt immediate pain relief. It is now just over four months later and I am back at the gym attending workout classes and weight training. Today, after years of not being able to ride "my favorite bike", I am back at my happy place - Channel Marker 32! I feel ten years younger and ready to take on life again! Thank you HSS! Thank you Dr. Massimi and Dr. McAnany!