Fourth Chance at Life - Winthrop University Hospital

Winter/Spring • 2011Institute for Neurosciences“Spinal bracing helps healing bykeeping the spine aligned. This allowsthe bone chips to grow together withoutdisruption and to progress towardsfusion,” said Dr. Epstein.In addition to wearing a brace, Mrs.Costello took recommended supplementsof vitamins and minerals and aspinal stimulator was used to furtherenhance the fusion. As part of her rehabilitation,Mrs. Costello participated inphysical therapy and took up swimmingas a form of therapy. Gradually, she wasable to wean off the spinal brace andsoon thereafter, felt good enough to getback on her horse and take a ride aroundher backyard – something she recalls asone of the highlights of her recovery.Today, as she enjoys a newfoundlove for swimming and spending timewith her family, Mrs. Costello looksback in marvel at just how far she’scome. Recognizing the vital role thateveryone who cared for her during hertime at Winthrop played, there is oneperson who stands out as having thegreatest influence – Dr. Epstein.“Every day that my feet hit the floorand I take a step, I thank that woman,”said Mrs. Costello.Mr. Costello is equally grateful –not only for the world class care thathas enabled his wife to reclaim her life,but for the same superior medical attentionthat he received which has allowedhim to continue to care for the needs ofhis family, something he holds dear tohis heart.Like his wife, Mr. Costello struggledwith bouts of severe back pain over theyears. But a passion for playing sportssuch as baseball and basketball kept himactive. He too had undergone a laminectomyat another healthcare institutionseveral years earlier, but a recent routineworkout in the gym sent him into a medicaltailspin. As numbness and pain in hisright leg grew progressively worse, Mr.Costello turned to Dr. Epstein for help.“Though I was scared, I felt confidentin the way Dr. Epstein handledJane’s situation and knew that I was inthe right hands,” said Mr. Costello.Upon arriving at Winthrop’sEmergency Department, imaging studiesquickly revealed Mr. Costello’s severelumbar stenosis accompanied by a massiverecurrent disc herniation. Together,both contributed to severe compressionof the nerve tissue that resulted in caudaequina syndrome (partial paralysis of thelegs) and a bilateral foot drop, whichaffected his right leg more than his left.These acute conditions required anemergency decompressive lumbarlaminectomy with disc excision.“Mr. Costello’s surgery also includeda non-instrumented posterolateralfusion that utilized his own bone andan artificial bone substitute. He did notrequire instrumentation such as rods orscrews which markedly reduced his hospitalstay and risk of infection, amongother factors,” said Dr. Epstein.Mr. Costello’s first postoperativeevaluation was also a success and withthe help of a back brace, he, like his wife,went on to make a full recovery. Today,as the back brace he once wore hangs inhis garage to serve as a reminder of justhow far he’s come, Mr. Costello isamazed at just how good he feels.“I can literally jump out of bed!”he exclaimed. “Because of Dr. Epstein’sskill and compassion, I am living awonderful life. I can earn a living andsupport my family, and our daughterdoesn’t have to grow up watching bothof her parents live in pain.”“This lovely couple did well followingtheir emergency spinal surgeries,dealing with very different problems,because they came to Winthrop immediatelyand did not delay their treatment.Had they waited any longer, the paralysisthey both developed would most likelyhave become permanent and irreversible,”said Dr. Epstein. “These two patientsunderscore just how effective the rightoperation can be in the right patient atthe right institution.”For more information aboutadvanced spinal surgery techniques atWinthrop, call 1-866-WINTHROP. ■Phyllis and NathanJ. Mistretta ShowContinued Supportfor WinthropGarden City residents Phyllis and Nathan J.Mistretta continue to demonstrate their extra -ordinary commitment to Winthrop-UniversityHospital and its patients. Recently, the couple made a generous contribution tounderwrite the purchase of new furnishings for the Hospital’s state-of-the-art,fully-digital Breast Imaging and Diagnostic Center, located at 120 MineolaBoulevard, Suite 550, in Mineola. The new facility is complete with the latestmammography and ultrasound equipment, which provide unprecedented imagequality along with rapid results, often while patients wait. The Center is alsoequipped with comfortable, private changing areas and offers extended eveningand weekend hours as well as free on-site parking to best serve patients’ needs.For more information about Winthrop’s Breast Imaging & Diagnostic Center,call 1-866-WINTHROP.Cornerstone7