So, I Had Emergency Spine Surgery

The first time I injured my back, it was my first day back at work after a camping trip with my ex. The urgent care doctor said I’d likely pinched a nerve, prescribed me ibuprofen and rest, and sent me home with a note. The pain came and went for a couple weeks before disappearing and I eventually stopped thinking about it, especially after an MRI ordered by my primary care physician didn’t show anything abnormal.

It didn’t occur to me when I suddenly developed chronic hip pain during a cross-cou...