How Endoscopic Spine Surgery Got a Middletown Man Back on His Feet

Patrick Connelly, 64, of Middletown, New Jersey has lived a full life. As a retired truck driver and an ordained minister, he is used to facing challenges. But nothing compares to the severe and constant back pain that he’s lived with for 32 years.

In 1994, Patrick was working in a landfill. He lifted a heavy piece of metal and herniated his L3 and L4 vertebrae. At the time, doctors told him a major spinal fusion was his only option. Fearing the surgery would severely limit his movement, he declined. Over the next three decades, he tried a variety of therapies to ease the pain, but nothing worked.

An Accidental Meeting Sets Him On The Path To Recovery

After decades of pain, the turning point came from a moment of coincidence. In November 2025, while taking his ex-wife to a doctor's appointment, Patrick happened to see the office of  Shalin Shah, D.O., a specialist in orthopedic surgery and spine surgery at HMH Orthopedics - Aberdeen. Acting on a glimmer of hope, he walked in and asked if Dr. Shah would evaluate his condition and history of back pain. Dr. Shah quickly followed up, scheduled an appointment and sat down to review Patrick’s case.

Dr. Shah told him about an alternative to traditional spinal fusion: endoscopic spine surgery. "Most surgeons do not have the tool in their toolbox to provide an endoscopic solution," Dr. Shah explains. "It is a unique skillset that takes time to acquire and hone. Endoscopy allows me to treat pathology, especially nerve compression, in ways that one cannot get access to in the traditional surgical techniques, which necessitate a fusion."

A Minimally Invasive Approach

Traditional back surgeries often require a large incision and extensive muscle disruption.

"Endoscopic spine surgery uses a small incision about 8mm with a tube and a camera which allows me to visualize nerves and structures within the spine with much greater clarity than even a microscope," says Dr. Shah.

This approach was especially beneficial for Patrick's specific situation.

"He had areas of nerve compression on his imaging that matched with his symptoms," Dr. Shah says. "Additionally, Patrick is overweight; a traditional approach to open his back would have required a much longer incision—probably about 5 inches—extensive amount of muscle injury and bleeding, and a lot more pain and recovery."

Moving Freely Again

Patrick had the endoscopic surgery on March 5, 2026. Just five days later, he was walking around and feeling better than he had in more than 30 years.

"I was absolutely amazed at the speed of recovery and the lack of pain and discomfort," Patrick says. "I now belong to a gym. I am able to ride a bicycle. After 32 years of suffering, everyone wanted me to do major surgery. It wasn't until I found Dr. Shah by accident gave me an alternative. The success of the surgery was amazing."

For Dr. Shah, seeing patients regain their mobility is highly rewarding. "It's the best part of the job," he says. "I have the opportunity to give patients their quality of life back to do the things they love."

Patrick strongly encourages anyone living in fear of traditional fusion surgery to explore all their options.

"Review all possible options, including the endoscopy before having  this very life changing surgery," Patrick advises. "The amount of recovery from traditional surgery, the amount of pain and medication, can be very traumatizing. This is a more simplified way of correctly solving a long term problem. Very satisfied."

Next Steps & Resources

• Meet our source: Shalin Shah, D.O.
• Make an appointment online with an orthopedic specialist near you, or call 800-822-8905.
• Learn more about spine care and orthopedics at Hackensack Meridian Health.