Jerry Argie struggled with back pain for almost 25 years. As a floor installer, he often carried heavy rolls of flooring and worked alone, which put a significant strain on his back. The pain was manageable at first, but it gradually worsened over the years. 

Late in 2023, Jerry's condition took a drastic turn. Thanksgiving Day, he woke up with severe pain. Jerry couldn't walk, stand, sit, or even lie down without experiencing excruciating pain. The next weeks were a blur of discomfort and frustration.

Determined to find a solution, Jerry, 69, who lives in Crossroads in southern York County, sought the expertise of Dr. Joseph Molenda, a WellSpan neurosurgeon. Dr. Molenda first recommended conservative treatments such as epidural injections and physical therapy. Despite these efforts, Jerry's pain and numbness in his left leg and foot persisted, and he even started struggling to lift the front part of his foot. 

Dr. Molenda told Jerry that he needed a surgical procedure to fuse three vertebrae in his lower back to stabilize his spine and relieve the pain caused by nerve compression. Due to the expertise of Dr. Molenda, who underwent additional specialized training in a neurosurgery fellowship, Jerry was a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. This approach involves smaller incisions, resulting in less muscle disruption, quicker recovery, less pain and a shorter hospital stay. 

In February 2024, Jerry had the surgery at WellSpan York Hospital. Dr. Molenda was confident in the procedure's potential to improve Jerry's quality of life. And he was right. 

Six weeks after the surgery, Jerry progressed from using a walker to walking with a cane. Dr. Molenda advised Jerry to take it slow, but Jerry felt so much better – better than he had in years – that he was eager to resume his normal activities such as walking on the beach with his family and working in his garden.

Jerry and Cindy Argie at the beach.

A year after the surgery, Jerry's recovery continues to amaze both him and his medical team. He now walks independently and no longer has pain radiating down his leg. While there is still some numbness in his left foot, Dr. Molenda explained that nerve healing can take time, and Jerry might experience further improvement. 

Today, Jerry remains committed to his regular routine of physical therapy exercises. He has returned to work three days a week binding carpet into area rugs using a heavy-duty sewing machine. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Cindy, and their two daughters and two grandchildren. They enjoy going to the Eastern Shore with his brother. 

Jerry works on a sewing machine.

Jerry's advice to others: “If you are suffering from back pain, don’t wait. Go see a doctor. Seek medical help as soon as possible. Minimally invasive surgery has dramatically improved my quality of life, and maybe it can help you too.”