Three's a Charm for San Carlos Firefighter

Jeff Mozes, 44, Battalion Chief
San Carlos Park Fire Department
Station #53 located near Miromar Lakes and FGCU

Thanks to a new surgical breakthrough and artificial spinal disc prosthesis, San Carlos Park Firefighter Jeff Mozes, 44, is back on his feet after a debilitating medical condition caused by years as a firefighter- a collapsed disc at the base of his spine.  In the course of trying to find relief, Jeff exhausted options of physical therapy, pain management injections, heavy medication and three intensive back surgeries.

After two surgeries to reduce the pressure on the damaged disc and spinal nerves, Jeff almost gave up hope in ever being able to work or live a normal productive life again.  He never fully recovered from the surgeries and some days, he says, he couldn't’t even get out of bed.

At wits end and the bottom of a very depressing journey, Jeff fired all of his doctors and started more pain management and began doing his own research.  It was then that he found Fort Myers Neurosurgeon Dean Lin, M.D., of Lee Memorial Health System, who introduced intervertebral disc arthroplasty, or total disc replacement.

“Dr. Lin told me that I was the perfect candidate,” said Jeff. 

Dr. Lin and his medical team including Vascular Surgeon John Moss, D.O., performed the new procedure using an artificial spinal disc made of metal and plastic to replace the damaged disc.

“When I woke up, I was able to isolate the pain from my incision versus the pain I had been feeling in my legs before surgery,” said Jeff.  “It was then that I knew immediately that something good has happened.”

After a 3-day stay in the hospital, Jeff was released to go home.  And six weeks later, he is about to start physical therapy and hopefully within another six weeks, be back on the job coordinating the firefighting crew at station 53.

“I am so anxious to get on with my life,”  said Jeff.  “I have an important job to do that I have been doing for 25 years – this job is who I am and I can’t wait to get back at it.”

Jeff said since the surgery, the word has gotten out and people in pain from Ohio, Indiana and all over the United States are calling him.

“I didn't’t have anyone to talk to about this medical procedure because it’s so new in our country, so I am pleased to talk to anyone who wants to know about it so they can get the relief and the new lease on life that I have.”