Linda Coates-Markle - Discectomy

Diagnosis: In 11 years as Montana / Dakota’s Wild Horse and Burro Specialist, Linda, 50, has had her fair share of hard falls. But a few bruises can’t compare to being bucked from an unfamiliar horse and thrown into a wall in late 2004. Luckily Linda survived, but a lumbar disc pressed into her sciatic nerve, leaving her crippled by pain. Barely able to walk, she pondered the end of her passion and job.

Treatment: Therapy started conservatively with medication and hydrocortisone shots, but with no signs of alleviation, a later MRI revealed just how extensive the damage was. The only choice was to free up more space around the pinched nerve. In January 2005, Dr. Copeland performed a lumbar discectomy and removed two-thirds of the affected disc. After surgery, Linda felt the intense, shooting pains in her leg lessening and eventually disappearing. Four months later, she was atop a horse again.

Result: Linda has since fully returned to an active equestrian lifestyle as an avid rider in both Western and English style. She now spends up to eight hours daily in the saddle, able to execute demanding trotting, sliding, and reigning motions.

A bad fall from a horse left Linda crippled in pain and threatened to end her equine career. A lumbar discectomy has since let her again spend her days in the saddle.

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