At 85 years old, Francis had spent a lifetime dancing — literally. As a former ballroom dance instructor and studio owner, movement was a central part of her identity. But when severe back pain took that away, she found herself relying on a walker and even a wheelchair for longer distances. Her dancing days, it seemed, were behind her.
That was until her son, Jeff, met Dr. Rohl at OrthoNeuro.
Jeff was initially referred to Dr. Rohl by a neighbor for his own back issues. After a positive experience, he scheduled an appointment for his mother, Francis, hoping to get real answers and lasting relief.
As part of a conservative approach, Dr. Rohl referred Francis to OrthoNeuro’s pain management specialist, Dr. Pap, for a round of spinal injections. Unfortunately, the relief only lasted about two weeks. After reassessing her condition, Dr. Rohl recommended a lumbar fusion at L4-L5 to address the root of the problem. His calm, straight-forward bedside manner helped both Jeff and Francis feel confident in moving forward.
Francis had surgery in March 2024 at Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital where she received excellent care. After the procedure, she spent a month at a rehab facility, followed by a few weeks recovering at Jeff’s home in Columbus, and then returned to her home in Paris, Ohio, to continue therapy and recovery.
During those challenging weeks of healing, one thing Dr. Rohl told her stuck with her: “You’re healing, not healed.” That phrase became a powerful reminder to be patient with the process and stay focused on the long-term goal of getting her life back.
And she did.
Just one year later, Francis was back on the dance floor — this time at a big band event at the Valleydale Ballroom in Columbus. After years of limited mobility, she was doing more than she had in a long time.
Francis previously underwent a hip replacement at a facility near her home, but it didn’t resolve her pain. Ultimately, the issue was her spine — not her hip — that had been causing the issue. Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Rohl and the team at OrthoNeuro, she finally received the care she truly needed.
“Dr. Rohl totally changed her life and got her back to her old self,” Jeff shared. “He gave my mom her life back.”
Now, Francis is back to doing what she loves, living independently, and moving with more confidence than she has in years.
At OrthoNeuro, we don’t just treat pain — we help people reclaim their lives. Stories like Francis’s remind us why compassionate, personalized care is so critical.
Thank you, Jeff and Francis, for trusting us to be part of your incredible health journey.
📞 Call 614-890-6555 or schedule online to meet with one of our expert spine specialists.
