From Wheelchair to Walking: A Life-Changing Patient Story

Roy Green, of Baker, Louisiana, has lived with scoliosis his whole life. He lived a full life with his condition, even wrestling in high school and working for a railroad as a brakeman and a switchman. But when a sudden worsening of Mr. Green’s condition left him paraplegic in 2020, he was told he would never walk again.

This video is the story of his journey back from the brink. Mr. Green was treated by Ochsner neurosurgeon James Kalyvas, MD, who said this was the most high-risk case he had ever treated. With the help of 3D modeling available at Ochsner, Dr. Kalyvas successfully treated Mr. Green's condition and he is back to doing many of the things he loved with his family.:
Dr. Kalyvas is a neurosurgeon with expertise in the treatment of a broad range of neurosurgical disorders of the brain and spine, with advanced training and interest in  complex spinal cord and spinal column surgery, including spinal tumors, vascular disorders, scoliosis and other spinal deformities.

About Ochsner's neurosurgery program

Here in Louisiana, we have more than our fair share of neurological issues. New Orleans is home to Ochsner, the only hospital in the Gulf South nationally ranked in neurology by U.S. News & World Report. 

If something goes wrong with a part of the brain, spinal cord or nerves, surgery could be the most appropriate and life-saving treatment, and it’s essential to select a team of neurosurgeons with a demonstrated track record of utilizing the latest technology and surgical techniques to obtain the highest quality of care for patients. Neurosurgeons across our health system perform more than 1,500 adult and pediatric surgeries every year. Our team specializes in treating patients of all ages. Our neurosurgeons treat:

• Neck and back pain
• Disc herniation
• Nerve and spinal cord injuries
• Scoliosis
• Spinal deformities
• Spinal fractures
• Spinal stenosis
• Spinal tumors
• Arthritis of the spine
• Arthritis causing back pain