"I can bend down and hug my grandchildren, I can carry grocery baskets, I have a normal life again." ~ Margaret Tanguay

Margaret Tanguay had developed an instability of her lumbar spine, compressing the nerves to her legs. She was forced to walk at right angles looking at the floor, sitting was impossible, but not being able to hug her grandchildren was even more painful.

"I had no life at that point," Margaret says. "I would have intermittent spasm pains so intense that I was unable to speak and barely able to inhale."

After an MRI at her local hospital, Margaret was referred to
London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Kevin Gurr.

"Coming from Kitchener, I was so grateful that we have this fabulous regional hospital," says Margaret. "The teamwork is outstanding and they have such a strong focus on patient care."

After trying non-surgical methods to correct Margaret's problem, a surgical procedure was used to fuse part of her spine. Dr. Gurr stabilized her spine with titanium rods, screws and cages; a technique that eliminates the need for external devices like braces or orthotics.

"As soon as I had the surgery and I could sit up on the side of the bed, I realized I didn't have that pain anymore," Margaret says. "I walked out of the hospital in an upright position."

At LHSC, surgery is performed for degenerative conditions like Margaret's, as well as cancer-related problems of the spine, traumatic and spinal cord injuries, and deformity conditions like scoliosis.

And the available treatments continue to evolve. The first artificial disc replacement in Canada was performed at London Health Sciences Centre in 2001. There is also increased use of minimally-invasive surgical techniques and even exploration into repairing problems by biological means rather than surgery.

"We're so very thankful and appreciative for the generosity of donors," says Dr. Gurr. "Without them, this sort of research and innovation would not be possible."

"I think London Health Sciences Centre is amazing. I intend to give a donation every year," says Margaret. "I can't express enough gratitude for their excellent care."