I am a 55 year old male who began to feel sharp pain in the buttocks and right leg four months ago. I sought advice from another physician, but felt they did not listen to me. I was finally able to convince them to do an MRI and was diagnosed with severe stenosis in L3/L4, L4/L5, and L5/S1. Additionally, I had a cyst at L3/L4. This diagnosis followed the normal insurance mandated massage therapy, physical therapy, and stretching recommendations. I could have elected to try shots, but that was only temporary. I heard about Dr. Van Pelt from a friend and sought his advice as a second opinion. He listened to me and clearly explained why I was experiencing the pain and indicated removal of the cyst and three level laminectomy would cure my pain. He reassured me the surgery, though serious as all surgeries are, was very common. I elected to proceed with Dr. Van Pelt and am SO GLAD I did. Following the procedure, I was completely rid of my pain. My lower back was sore from the trauma of surgery, but that was expected. The leg pain that kept me from walking was gone. Recovery has been quick and pain free. I spent one night in the hospital for observation, but left the next morning. I stopped the pain medicine three days post op and have had no trouble getting around. I am now three weeks post op, back to work and walking 1.5-2mi daily with no pain. Dr. Van Pelt and his team are a caring, talented group for which I am eternally blessed to have met. If you are having sciatic pain, I highly recommend Dr. Van Pelt. You won't be disappointed.

Submitted April 28, 2016

First and most important, thank you Dr. Van Pelt for giving me my life back! I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis 7 years ago and the neurosurgeon recommended spinal fusion. I decided to wait until I could not walk and that happened in 2015. I was basically immobile and could not stand for minutes at a time and I could not walk 50 feet before the pain started. Several of my friends who were former patients of Dr. Van Pelt had great results and suggested I schedule a simple consultation. Dr. Van Pelt scheduled an MRI, and after reviewing the results gave me a detailed plan for surgery and he was confident that he could provide relief for my pain. After a laminectomy and an overnight stay in the hospital, I was walking the halls of the hospital without pain. I am six weeks out from the surgery and going to the gym four days a week. I am walking a half mile or better on the treadmill and I no longer have pain when I stand for long periods of time. My cane is in the closet. My weight is steadily going down due to the increased activity. I am 62 but now feel twenty years younger and I no longer look for a seat the first thing when I enter a room. If you are suffering I highly recommend you consult with Dr. Van Pelt, he is very professional and highly skilled!

Submitted April 2, 2016

Dr. Christopher Van Pelt changed my life. A little background info about me: I am a 50 year old female who although about 100 lbs. overweight has always been pretty active and in excellent health. That all changed last year when I experienced the most debilitating, and excruciating pain radiating down my left leg. Nothing I tried, and no treatment I underwent gave me any relief. I could not sit or stand for more than 2-3 minutes at a time, and ended up on my back in bed, missing nearly 3 months of work. As the time continued to pass, I was horrified that I’d never be able to work or do any of the things I enjoyed again. Because I had tried everything else, I felt that surgery was my only chance to get my life back. I had been told by others that due to my size, many surgeons would be hesitant to perform back surgery on me. When I met Dr. Van Pelt, I began to feel hope again. He told me that having reviewed my MRI, he could see exactly what the problem was, and felt without a doubt that he could definitely help me. He said that the incision on my back might be 2-3 inches long; instead of 1 inch long like a normal weight person, but THAT would be the only difference. On September 17, of last year, Dr. Van Pelt performed a micro discectomy on my back at L-5, S-1. After the surgery, my relief was profound and immediate. As soon as my 3 week recovery time was complete, I was so happy to return to work again! Although I felt great and was so grateful, I still had minor residual pain in my left leg. It was so much better than before the surgery and nothing I could not live with. At a follow-up appointment, I shared this with Dr. Van Pelt. He was not surprised at all and told me that due to how impinged my sciatic nerve had been,, it may take 3-6 months before the nerve (and the residual pain) healed up completely. He was absolutely right! I am less than 6 months out, and feel NO EVIDENCE of having had a problem. I and my leg feel perfect. I am so grateful to God and Dr. Van Pelt for giving me my life back!

Submitted Feb. 14, 2016

Absolutely amazing results from an L4 Microdiscectomy for a Herniated Disc performed by Dr. Van Pelt. All traces of left leg sciatica and localized nerve pain are gone. Incision wound is only about 2" long and is healing quickly and without complication. I can finally sleep thru the night, sit and not fear my back going out doing minor chores. An obvious professional of talent.

Submitted Feb. 12, 2016

I am a 37 year old male who was experiencing pain on my right side from my neck, down through my shoulder, and radiating down my arm. There was some numbness and muscle weakness as well. The shoulder pain interfered with my ability to play my guitar. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines gave me no relief. Dr. Van Pelt diagnosed a herniated disc in my neck which was pressing on a nerve and causing my symptoms. He explained the different options for treatment including physical therapy and/or surgery. He said that therapy could help with pain relief, but that surgery would be curative. The proposed surgery was a cervical discectomy and fusion. Dr. Van Pelt took the time to answer the questions that I had about the surgery and his confidence in performing the surgery inspired confidence in me. I decided to forgo physical therapy and have the surgery. The surgery went very well and now, 6 weeks out from the surgery, I am doing great. I only had to spend one night in the hospital. I did not have to wear a neck brace. My pain after surgery was much less than I had feared. I was able to drive and return to work (with some weight restrictions) in about 2 and a half weeks. His work on the incision site was also superb. Highly recommended.

Submitted Dec. 14, 2015

5 years ago I was diagnosed with Spinal Stenosis in the L4-5 region requiring a laminectomy/ fusion. I elected to have surgery at a major hospital in Atlanta. I recovered normally in about 4-5 months. 1 1/2 years ago I began to have pain in my lower extremities. I was finally referred to Dr. Van Pelt about 3 months ago. The x-rays showed that I had severe stenosis in the L3-4 region. Dr. Van Pelt stated his concern that stenosis was impinging on my spinal cord and he strongly, but gently, urged that I have another spinal fusion which would include replacing the old hardware and fusing all 3 vertebrae. In spite of the fact that surgery would cut short my golf season this Fall, I reluctantly took his advise and I am glad I did. The surgery & hospitalization were shorter than last time (I was discharged after 2 days). As a 75 year old I am in pretty decent health but 5 years ago I was just a 70 year old "Spring chicken", so I am doubly amazed at how quickly my recovery has progressed this time. I was able to walk around the house right away with my walker and minimal pain. By the 2 week followup appointment with Dr. VanPelt I was essentially pain free and walking with a cane. I was delighted to be told then that I could drive and resume my fitness exercise routine AND that I could putt!...all of which were much sooner than I'd been able to do these things 5 years ago. Dr. VanPelt and his staff have been efficient and pleasant to work with, taking a personal interest in my well being and keeping me and my wife well informed throughout the entire process. I especially appreciate the expertise that he and his staff bring with them and the confidence which that inspires. Going to a new doctor is never easy but in this case, I'm so thankful that I was fortunate enough to have been referred to Dr. Van Pelt. He's one of the best !

Submitted Nov. 14, 2015

After taking a tumble out my front door early this Summer (2015) I started having severe hip pain that sent me to the ER. Long story short I had ruptured L3&L4 discs. I had pretty much lost use of my left leg & foot and the pain was unbearable. After going to a neurologist who pretty much told me that I wasn't a candidate for surgery in his opinion, and telling me that he wouldn't attempt to help me surgically because he could make me worse....(? really how much worse could it get than being reliant on a walker to get around and taking pain pills all day long which gave me no relief), I was then referred to Dr. Van Pelt. Needless to say, I love this man! He was so kind, took all the time with me that I felt I needed to describe my symptoms, and didn't make me feel like the neurologist (Dr. Bucci) did, which wasn't very good. Dr. Van Pelt could obviously see that I was in pain, losing the ability to lift/flex my left foot which I understand is from nerve damage. I was a mess to say the least. Dr. Van Pelt told me "You need this surgery." He was right, I certainly did and I'm happy to say that I'm walking now without the walker, all the numbness in my left leg, both feet, and any other areas that I won't mention is now completely gone. If your in pain and suffering get yourself to Dr. Van Pelt ASAP! You will be in excellent hands! I cannot thank him enough for the relief that he has given me. I'd vote him the absolute best spinal orthopedic surgeon in Greenville, SC in a heartbeat. My sincerest thank you Dr. Van Pelt for getting me out of pain and back to my old self again. Remarkable orthopedic spinal surgeon and an all around great man!

Submitted Sept. 9, 2015

I had an anterior approach cervical fusion performed by Dr. Van Pelt. My experience was unbelievable. Dr. Van Pelt was caring, honest and concerned for my health and wellbeing. Everything about the surgery was explained in detail and all questions were answered. Dr. Van Pelt met with me before the surgery and asked if I had any questions. This made me feel great knowing that I was viewed as a patient, not a number. The surgery went well and without any complications. The only complaint I can think of is that the steri-strips that covered the incision pulled on my skin when I turned my head (pain free of course). When the steri-strips finally came off everything was just awesome. I told Dr. Van Pelt that I don't believe that he fused by neck at the c6 level and then placed a plate and 4 screws to secure my neck. I felt no pain or discomfort whatsoever other that those darned steri-strips. Well, after x-rays were taken at the follow-up appointment two weeks later I finally was able to see the plate and 4 screws in my neck!! It's amazing that with the type of procedure performed I would have thought the road to recovery would be long and painful. Thanks to Dr. Van Pelt and his staff I returned to work 3 weeks post-op (restricted duty of course) and then unrestricted 8 weeks post-op. Two thumbs up and hats off!!!! Thanks again!

Submitted June 23, 2015

In May of 2009 I was hit head-on in an auto accident. My neck was broken (C6, C7). Eight days after the accident, I went to Dr. Christopher Van Pelt’s office at POA.
He examined me and sent me to x-ray. When he got the results he returned to the examination room and said, “Your neck is broken.” He had me immediately admitted to St. Francis Hospital in downtown Greenville. I was told surgery would be performed the next morning.
He spent 45 minutes in my room explaining to my wife and me what was ahead and what risks were involved. Dr. Van Pelt explained who would be in the OR and what each of their responsibilities would be. He said all could go well, but I could come out of the surgery as a paraplegic. To me that was “above and beyond” and gave me all the confidence that all would go well.
The morning of the surgery I was fitted with a halo that I would wear for six weeks. It was a painful experience because no anesthetic was used, but I endured it because I felt it was necessary for my survival.
The surgery went as planned and after a short stay in recovery, I was returned to my room where I was greeted by family and friends. While in the hospital, I began rehab which was followed by treatments at the hospital, at home and at National Healthcare. Support from my wife, family and friends is and has been integral in recovery and on-going to return to a happy, healthy life.
In addition to the Grace of God, I was in excellent physical condition. But the surgery performed by Dr. Van Pelt and his team, I, my family and friends felt and still fell was a miracle. His positive attitude and caring persona were vital ingredients in my recovery and reasons that I am here today.
I returned to walking and light workouts before the end of 2009. I steadily improved and regained strength. Today, almost 6 years later, I go to the YMCA 5 days a week, play golf once a week and work 30 +/- hours per week.
In summary, you are in the right place with the right people. But, it is up to you to focus on recovery and to do your part to ensure the surgery performed is a complete success.

Submitted March 7, 2015

Dr Van Pelt performed surgery on my neck. Replaced a worn disk with a cadavor disk and covered with a metal plate. In my opinion this is a very skilled surgeon. Not only is all the pain caused by this worn disk gone but the surgery itself was almost totally pain free. Same goes for his staff. The surgery was performed on a Wednesday. I was back in my office the following Monday with no visible signs of the surgery other than 2 to 3 inch bandage on the front of my neck. I'm 71 years old, still work in sales full time. I totally recommend Dr. van Pelt, his staff and the St. Francis Health System in Greenville, SC.

Submitted Feb. 3, 2015