From Living with Pain to Living Life Again: LaShawn’s Story

August 31, 2026

Reviewed by: Michael T. Rohmiller, M.D.

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ABOUT THIS CASE

• Condition: Neck, arm, and hand pain
• Procedure Performed: anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
• Surgeon: Michael T. Rohmiller, M.D.

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For LaShawn, persistent arm and neck pain had become more than an inconvenience. It was affecting nearly every aspect of her daily life. The retired U.S. Air Force veteran was experiencing pain in her neck, shoulder, arm, and hand until it reached a point where she knew she needed answers.

That’s when she came to Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine and met Dr. Michael Rohmiller, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon.

Exploring Every Treatment Option

At Beacon, surgery is not the first recommendation. Dr. Rohmiller believes in helping patients understand all of their treatment options before deciding on the next step.

“When I meet someone, the goal is to try to avoid surgery,” Dr. Rohmiller says.

During LaShawn’s appointment, Dr. Rohmiller reviewed every available option with her. They discussed continuing to live with the pain, physical therapy, pain management, epidural steroid injections, medication, and surgery if conservative treatments were no longer providing relief.

LaShawn had already tried several non-surgical approaches, including physical therapy, injections, and other pain management strategies. Despite those efforts, her symptoms continued to interfere with her daily life. After learning about each option and discussing the potential benefits and risks, she chose to move forward with surgery.

Finding Relief

LaShawn underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), a common procedure used to treat herniated discs and other conditions affecting the cervical spine.

“For someone whose symptoms match the imaging and physical exam findings, this operation has an incredibly high success rate,” Dr. Rohmiller explains.

LaShawn noticed a difference almost immediately.

“I could tell the difference in my shoulder. I didn’t have the tingling in my hands anymore. I couldn’t believe it. Almost instantly, I felt that.”

Care Beyond the Procedure

For LaShawn, what stood out just as much as the outcome was the care she received throughout her journey.

“They really kept in touch with me. They were like family. They wanted to make sure I was fine. The aftercare has been just awesome.”

She says the experience began the moment she walked through the doors at Beacon’s Joint & Spine Center.

“From the time I walked in and checked in, it was, ‘How are you? We’re going to take great care of you.’ Everyone just had such a personal touch.”

Getting Back to the Life She Loves

Helping patients regain their quality of life is what motivates Dr. Rohmiller every day.

“This is the reason I chose spine surgery. The bottom line is helping people get their lives back.”

Today, LaShawn is looking forward to using both of her hands and arms without the pain that once limited her daily activities. Her story is a reminder that every patient’s journey is different. At Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, treatment starts with listening, exploring conservative options when appropriate, and partnering with patients to determine the best path forward. For LaShawn, that path led to surgery and a return to the activities she enjoys most.