I am a 79-year-old woman who suffered for years with leg problems, and I had very poor posture.

In 2009, I had x-rays taken. After the x-rays, I could hardly walk to my car -- my legs hurt so bad. When I went back for the results, I was told that there was nothing wrong with my back, that I just had a lot of arthritis, which is normal for my age.

I went to a new doctor and this doctor told me that I had restless leg problems, even though I told him that when I sat in a chair or was in bed my legs did not bother me. He said that there are all kinds of restless leg issues and that is what I had.

I was given medication that did not help, then another prescription that I was told to take three times a day. When put on this new medication, I was not told there would be such a change in dosage, so I did not take this medicaton and decided to change doctors again.

This time I went to Duke Primary Care and started with Dr. Esther Seo. She sent me to Dr. Krishnan in the Duke Neurology Department. He sent me for all kinds of tests -- new x-rays, MRI, and CT scans to make sure I did not have peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

It was then he told me that I had lumbar spinal stenosis and he wanted me to see a surgeon, Dr. Oren Gottfried.

That was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I went to Duke Raleigh Hospital for the surgery with Dr. Gottfried. At first, I was a little nervous about the surgery, but it went great.

I was in the hospital for two nights. My recovery at home went very well. I saw Dr. Gottfried three weeks after the surgery and he removed the stitches.

I will see him again in four weeks for some new x-rays and I am sure that he will be pleased with my recovery results.

Dr. Gottfried is the best surgeon.