FORT WORTH, Texas — Between visits with critical care patients, Kelli Vogler, PA-C, sat at her desk with a heating pad on her shoulders. As she massaged her neck, she wondered what was causing the constant pain and soreness. Waking up with numbness in her hands had become tiring and frustrating. But now, after receiving spinal care at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Vogler is back to her passions ─ helping others and traveling the globe.

Kelli Vogler, PA-C

Cervical disc herniation is a common cause of neck pain for adults, and the risk increases with age. It occurs more frequently in women and accounts for more than 60% of all reported cases of neck pain. It was also the source of Vogler’s chronic pain.

The cervical vertebrae surround the spinal cord, and cervical discs serve as tiny cushions between the vertebrae, said Olaide Ajayi, M.D., a neurosurgeon and spine surgeon with Texas Health Physicians Group* and on the Texas Health Fort Worth medical staff. The discs play a significant role in the movement and flexibility of the neck, added Ajayi. Herniation occurs when the inner material of the disc protrudes through its protective outer layer.

Chronic pain affecting work-life balance

For more than 45 hours a week, Vogler serves a significant role at Texas Health Fort Worth. As a member of the hospital’s Code Team, she and others are the first to respond to any type of patient code throughout the hospital.

“As a physician assistant, I typically perform emergency procedures, such as intubations, to stabilize individuals and get them safely to the ICU for additional specialized care,” Vogler said. “Being in the medical field, I knew my chronic pain was a sign of a neuromuscular condition; for about a year, I kept putting it off to focus on others.”

But in June, Vogler said, the pain became worse, and it was spreading. The physically fit 30-year-old was having problems functioning at work.

“I’m used to 12-hour shifts, visiting patients and walking at least 5 miles every day across the Texas Health Fort Worth campus,” she said. “My legs were tired, and my arms and shoulder muscles felt weaker, as if they were cramping almost constantly.”

Learning the cause behind the pain

An MRI of Vogler’s neck pinpointed a herniated disc protruding onto her spinal cord and causing severe compression. That’s when Ajayi explained the seriousness of her condition.

“He told me that my livelihood depended on my hands, arms and legs, and I shouldn’t let it go on any longer,” Vogler said. “He said I was possibly one car accident away from serious or permanent damage to my upper and lower extremities because of the spinal compression; that’s when we decided my condition required surgical treatment.”

According to Ajayi, disc herniations can arise from damage over the years, significant injuries and even bone spurs. “Red flags can appear as chronic neck pain, weakness in the arms and hands, along with tingling ─ and Mrs. Vogler exhibited the telltale signs.”

Receiving specialized spinal care, restoring quality of life

Ajayi performed a cervical disc replacement procedure. Using X-ray guided imaging, Ajayi removed the herniated disc and replaced it with an artificial one, which is commonly made of mixed metals, ceramics and plasma coatings.

Less than 24 hours after her procedure, Vogler began her recovery process at home. Not only that, less than a month after major spine surgery, the avid runner and volleyball player was hiking more than 100 miles in Europe, including across the Swiss and Italian Alps.

“My No. 1 hobby would probably be traveling,” Vogler said. “I’ve been to 32 countries, and I wanted to make sure my chronic pain didn’t get in the way of my travel plans. I really think that a positive mindset can help change your outcome, especially when it comes to health and the recovery process.”

Ajayi credits her quick recovery to a healthy lifestyle, too.

“She exercises regularly, and her active lifestyle prior to surgery was a contributing factor to her speedy recovery and return to physical activities after surgery.”

*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.