Patient Story of: Nina Gordon

I first consulted Dr. Cunningham nearly ten years ago. At the time, I had already spent four years managing my pain with epidural injections and high doses of OxyContin and oxycodone. Although I was struggling with severe back issues, I was not ready to consider spine surgery, especially after enduring three surgeries on my left hip between 2011 and 2015.

My first hip replacement was performed at another hospital on Long Island. Unfortunately, I developed metallosis, and the implant was later recalled. I returned to the same surgeon for a revision in 2013, but when my symptoms persisted, he referred me to HSS. In 2015, Dr. Bostrom performed a second revision on my left hip, followed by a right hip replacement in 2017. By then, after everything I had been through, I was terrified of putting any more metal into my body. Spine surgery was the last thing I wanted.

Yet I was living with severe spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and lumbar spondylolisthesis. My mobility had declined to the point where I could barely support my own weight. For the next eight or nine years, I received epidural injections every four months from Dr. Wyss at HSS and relied on a rollator walker to get around. I became certified for medical cannabis and successfully weaned myself off opioids.

As a performing musician, I adapted however I could. I performed sitting down instead of standing, obtained a handicap parking permit, and found ways to conserve my energy and reduce physical strain. Life was far from ideal, but I managed. Each year, I met with Dr. Cunningham, reviewed new spinal X-rays, and discussed surgery and the reasons I still wasn't ready to move forward.

That changed when I developed foot drop on my right side and needed a brace just to walk.

Throughout those years, Dr. Cunningham was everything a patient could hope for in a physician. He never rushed an appointment, always took the time to listen to my concerns, and answered every question thoroughly. Most importantly, he never pressured me into surgery. He understood my hesitation and supported my decision to seek multiple opinions, both within HSS and elsewhere. When I returned after consulting other surgeons, he was gracious, respectful, and never dismissive.

Deep down, I was hoping someone would offer a minimally invasive solution. Dr. Cunningham gently helped me accept that, given the complexity of my condition, no such option existed. Every surgeon I consulted agreed that I needed a multi-level spinal fusion.

Because of my previous experience with metallosis, I was especially concerned about the hardware that would be used during surgery. Dr. Cunningham took those concerns seriously. He researched the available implants and selected the purest grade of titanium possible, down to the very last screw. He explained exactly what materials would be used and why, giving me confidence that my concerns were being heard and respected.

What I appreciated most was his honesty. He never sugarcoated the realities of surgery. He told me recovery would be extremely difficult during the first three months, and he was absolutely right. His straightforward approach helped me develop realistic expectations and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Dr. Cunningham's skill as a surgeon is matched by his kindness, compassion, and calm demeanor. I felt completely comfortable placing my life in his hands.

During my surgery, an unexpected complication occurred. An incidental dural tear resulted in a spinal fluid leak that required repair, extending the operation from an anticipated eight hours to fifteen. Dr. Cunningham stayed and saw the entire procedure through. Then, four weeks after surgery, I developed an infection. Even though it was his day off, he met me in the office at 8:30 that morning and arranged surgery later that day to clean out the infection. He also brought in Dr. Otterburn, a plastic surgeon, to ensure the wound was closed properly.

During the week I spent in the hospital recovering, Dr. Cunningham visited me every day.

Despite these setbacks and complications, I never lost confidence that I was in the best possible hands. Fifteen months later, I can say that my outcome has exceeded anything I thought possible.

Just seven months after surgery, I was back to performing. For the first time in more than a decade, I am pain-free and standing upright. I can stand, sing, and play for hours without discomfort. The limitations that once defined my life are gone.

I feel extraordinarily fortunate to have had Dr. Cunningham as my surgeon and physician throughout this journey. When I returned for my one-year follow-up appointment in March 2026, the experience was surprisingly bittersweet. After nearly a decade of annual visits and countless conversations, it felt almost like saying goodbye to an old friend, although we already have plans to meet again next year.

I would also be remiss if I did not acknowledge Dr. Elizabeth Robilotti, the infectious disease specialist who cared for me during my hospitalization and continued to oversee my recovery for a full year afterward to ensure the infection was completely resolved. She, too, exemplifies the compassion, dedication, and excellence that define HSS.

I am profoundly grateful to Dr. Cunningham, Dr. Robilotti, Dr. Otterburn, Dr. Wyss, Dr. Bostrom, and the entire HSS team. Their expertise, dedication, and genuine care transformed my quality of life. After more than ten years of pain and uncertainty, they gave me back the ability to stand tall, perform the music I love, and live without pain. For that, I will be forever grateful.