Paul Deasy - ProDisc-L Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

In 1989, Paul began working at the Home Shopping Network as a host.  In the spring of 1990, at age 30, he was moving into a new residence and he hurt his back.  He didn’t think much about it and just decided to live with the pain. 

In 1997, Paul Deasy started working for the QVC shopping network.  He was traveling a lot and he began to gain weight.  The extra weight made the pain in his back worse.  On Easter Sunday 2002, Paul’s pain became so severe that he was taken via ambulance to the nearest hospital for treatment.  He was unable to play his favorite sports such as golf, basketball and hockey, and quality of life began to deteriorate.  Paul attended physical therapy and rehabilitation for many months but was still in pain.  Through physicians in his own state, Paul received a variety of treatments through the years, ultimately these treatments would help for a little while but the pain would return.  For four years, Paul dealt with numbness in his left foot, a feeling that he thought would remain forever.

In 2004, Paul returned to the Home Shopping Network where he and his wife are currently hosts. He told his boss about his intense level of back pain and she told him about her husband’s back problems and the pain relief he found at Texas Back Institute (TBI). 

Paul began in-depth research about TBI and new artificial discs that were being tested at the institute.  Artificial disc surgery, also know as arthroplasty, is a ground breaking surgery using motion preserving devices which offer an alternative to spinal fusion.  In August 2005, he traveled to TBI from Florida to consult with spine surgeon Jack Zigler, M.D, principal investigator of the ProDisc-L at TBI during the FDA trial. 

“We are thrilled to have been one of the lead investigators in the ProDisc-L study,” said Zigler.  “The ProDisc-L is an extraordinary device and we are excited about this FDA approval, which will make it available to our patients in the U.S.  This will give our patients another surgical alternative to fusion.”

On February 9, 2006, Paul had the ProDisc-L surgery at 7 a.m.  By 2:30 p.m. he was out of bed and walking down the hall.  Paul again incorporated physical therapy into his recovery plan, this time proving successful.  Since his ProDisc-L surgery, Paul’s back pain is gone and he has regained feeling in his foot. He was able to quickly resume his favorite sporting activities and enjoys playing basketball with his son and friends.

“I feel great after my surgery,” said Paul. “I am very pleased with the outcome.  I have my life back and can move forward with all of the things I enjoy.”

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Paul Deasy - ProDisc-L Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery

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