Spine Surgery Is ‘The Best Decision’ This Man Ever Made
May 28, 2025
Before Scott Knox had successful surgery on his spine, he endured decades of suffering and had resigned himself to thinking that “this is just the way it’s going to be.”
He didn’t realize that there were options available that would change his life forever—and for the better.
At that point, Scott, 60, had trouble just being himself. The Ocean Township, New Jersey, resident who works for a solar company and enjoys axe throwing, could no longer throw without agonizing pain.
He also used to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, such as cutting the grass in his yard for relaxation and time in nature. “It took me two days to do that because my left leg was so numb I used to drop to my knees when I couldn’t stand up anymore. That was the breaking point,” he says.
It wasn’t as if Scott hadn’t been proactive. He’d tried chiropractic medicine and acupuncture, and he had undergone multiple potential pain relief injections.
He understandably became depressed and says he was “in a very dark place.”
Almost Out of Hope for Help
Scott’s wife works at Hackensack Meridian Health, and she had an idea. She suggested that he see orthopedic spine surgeon Ramil Bhatnagar, M.D., of Jersey Shore University Medical Center, who has performed over 4,000 spinal procedures.
Scott recalls Dr. Bhatnagar telling him—and he wasn’t surprised—that his spinal vertebrae L3 through S1 were basically “a mess” due to misalignment and instability. The “L” stands for lumbar, in the lower back, with five bones below the thoracic spine. The “S” vertebrae are sacral, located below the lumbar.
He had developed protruding discs, bone spurs and arthritis. He also had stenosis, which occurs when spaces in the spine become narrower, resulting in pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
The surgeon told Scott, “I can definitely fix this,” and decided the best option was a laminectomy and instrumented fusion. The surgery is considered major because it includes several procedures and a larger incision.
No Regrets About His Choice
“Not all spinal surgeries can be done as ‘minimally invasive,’” Dr. Bhatnagar says, adding that many people know that trending term and assume it applies to any surgery.
His plan for Scott involved removing lamina, the roof of the spinal canal, which is a fluid-filled space in the spine that protects the spinal cord. As the name implies, fusion “fuses” together spinal vertebrae to heal as one bone. A surgeon may also use titanium screws and rods to improve stability.
To be his strongest before surgery, Dr. Bhatnagar prescribed Scott a physical therapy program for three months. And yes, throwing axes was recommended as a part of the plan, which Scott gleefully embraced.
Scott had surgery on Feb. 13, 2023, and soon proclaimed that it was the best decision he’d ever made. The second day, wearing a back brace, he was up, determined to walk around his hospital floor.
“I walked past the physical therapy department and said, ‘I’ll start now.’” Then he went home to begin a well-planned rehabilitation.
Thoughtful and Patient Recovery Yields Results
“I tell patients I want to get them back to doing what they do,” says Dr. Bhatnagar, but within reasonable limits.
He advises patients not to bend, twist or lift more than 10 pounds for the first month to protect their sensitive spine. Based on follow-up X-rays, they may resume normal activity after about three to four months.
Dr. Bhatnagar’s patients typically return to tennis, golf, pickleball and more—although he’s not a big fan of running due to impact. “Try the elliptical instead for cardio,” he says.
For Scott, doing what he wants to do means throwing axes using his signature two-handed style. “It’s just a miracle I am as good as I am,” says Scott. “I am so axe-cited to have my life back!”
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Ramil Bhatnagar, M.D.
- Make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist near you or call 800-822-8905.
- Learn more about orthopedics and spine care at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
