When Mary R. began experiencing severe back pain during her winter stay in Texas, she knew she needed to return home to Minnesota and reconnect with the spine care experts at Riverwood Healthcare Center.
A quick call to Riverwood’s Spine Care Clinic set her treatment journey in motion. Mary flew home on a Wednesday, had an MRI on Thursday, and received a cortisone injection in her spine on Friday. Within weeks, she was back to her active lifestyle—playing pickleball again under the Texas sun.
“From Registered Nurse Casey Sahr and Nurse Practitioner Christy Nagel to Dr. Joshua Horowitz and Dr. Dan Lonergan, the entire spine care team has been wonderful,” Mary shared. “They really care about you—you’re not just a number.”
Mary previously underwent back surgery 27 years ago and had remained mostly pain-free until 2024, when her symptoms returned. After asking friends for recommendations, Riverwood’s interventional spine care team quickly rose to the top of the list.
Over the past year, Mary has received four spinal injections. Now, for longer-term relief from chronic back pain caused by spinal stenosis, she’s preparing for back surgery. After consulting with Dr. James Stokman, a local orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery, she felt reassured by his warm, welcoming approach—consistent with the care she’s come to expect from Riverwood.
“I’m very grateful for the wonderful care at Riverwood,” Mary said. “I’ve always been treated with kindness and able to get in for appointments quickly.”
With a deep love for travel, Mary now looks forward to a pain-free adventure touring Scandinavia this summer.