Spinal nerve compression forces patients to crawl

Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has reported cases where compression of spinal nerves has left patients incapacitated. One patient, retired accountant Jamshid Medora, described being forced to crawl on all fours to reach the toilet.

Medora, 84, who experiences age-related aches, suffered excruciating pain in both legs in October 2024. Previously active in gardening and household chores, spinal stenosis and bone spurs exacerbated his condition. The pain was so severe that he required powerful painkillers, which proved ineffective.

Another patient, Jess O'Reilly, 38, faced similar issues in July 2025. She had lived with a nagging lower back ache for years, which had not stopped her from participating in athletic events like the Tokyo Marathon and Hyrox Singapore. Suddenly, the discomfort escalated rapidly, making standing and walking extremely difficult. She described the experience as a "downward spiral," leading her to walk hunched over or crawl.

Both O'Reilly's herniated disc surgery and Medora's need for spinal canal decompression and bone spur removal required intervention. Historically, spine surgery involved large incisions, increasing recovery time and infection risk.

At SGH, both patients benefited from minimally invasive spine surgery, also known as keyhole surgery. This technique uses smaller incisions and employs a surgical microscope or camera system to aid precision. The method allows for faster recovery and a quicker return to normal activities.