Eva Nelson feels like a new woman

Muscle Shoals resident Eva Nelson’s struggle with back and neck trouble began in her 20s. As the pain got progressively worse, she sought help from more doctors, chiropractors and pain clinics than she cares to remember. Nothing worked. By age 45, Eva couldn’t stand up long enough to make dinner for her family.

After missing her son’s 8th grade graduation while stuck in bed, she decided she had to do something.

At the urging of a church friend, Eva went to see neurosurgeon Rhett Murray, MD, who specializes in the treatment of spine, cranial and peripheral nerve disorders at Huntsville Hospital’s Spine & Neuro Center.

“When he said he could help me, I cried,” she said.

Dr. Murray scheduled Eva for lumbar fusion surgery at Huntsville Hospital, which is ranked among America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery by Healthgrades. She had follow-up surgery a few months later to fix a severely herniated disc in her neck.

Today, Eva feels like a new woman. She can drive again. She can walk without a cane. She can get down on the floor and play with her grandchildren.

“I can actually dance,” Eva said, laughing. “Slow dancing, line dancing — you name it.”