Actor Praises Dr. Paul Jeffords for “First-Class” Spine Care
If the name Brian Durkin sounds familiar, it’s probably because you’ve heard it associated with recent big-screen blockbusters like The Internship and Anchor Man 2.
Durkin has worked as an actor in the entertainment industry here in Atlanta since 2001, often playing very physically involved roles like military officials and police officers.
“I’ve always loved doing my own stunts,” said Durkin of these positions. “But looking back now, I probably should have let the stunt-men step in more than I did.”
Off set, Durkin maintains these physical abilities through CrossFit training, triathlon preparation, and more recreational sporting activities like golf and baseball.
In the spring of 2014, Durkin’s highly physical lifestyle and stunt-work as an actor finally began to catch up with him.
“I first came to Resurgens for multiple ripped disks in my back,” said Durkin. “I did a lot of research in preparation for seeking medical attention, and all signs pointed to Dr. Jeffords at Resurgens as one of the best in Atlanta for spine care.”
In April of 2014, Dr. Paul Jeffords performed two successful lumbar artificial disc replacements for Durkin at Resurgens St. Joseph’s location.
“After this procedure, I immediately began feeling the positive impact,” said Durkin. “The surgery went well and my recovery time was really minimal.”
“I’d never had any medical professional go the extra mile to make me feel comfortable like that.”
A few months later, in October of 2014, Durkin began experiencing additional spinal issues, but this time further up in his neck.
“It was such an odd sensation, almost like my arm was on fire,” said Durkin of this issue. “Given my past experience, it was an obvious choice for me to return to Dr. Jeffords when I began experiencing these symptoms.”
That same month, Dr. Jeffords performed Durkin’s two cervical disk replacements.
Durkin highlights the steady support he received from Dr. Jeffords and the Resurgens staff during the intake and surgery process as making his experience through both procedures a positive one.
“I was pretty nervous right before the first back surgery, and Dr. Jeffords knew that, so he actually called me up that night to assure me that everything was going to be great and that we were all set for the next day,” said Durkin. “I’d never had any medical professional go the extra mile to make me feel comfortable like that.”
Overall, Durkin says he is very happy with his physical recovery just four month out from the second surgery. “Here I am in February and I’m feeling great. Life is good now!”
Dr. Paul Jeffords is a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. He has practiced in Atlanta with Resurgens Orthopaedics since 2005 and is the former co-medical director of Resurgens Spine Center. Dr. Jeffords surgical expertise is in minimally invasive spine surgery, reconstructive spinal deformity surgery, cervical spine surgery, and artificial disc replacement. He attended medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and completed his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Jeffords also received additional fellowship training in adult spine surgery at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the North American Spine Society, the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, the AO Spine Society, the Spine Arthroplasty Society, the Georgia Orthopaedic Society, and the Atlanta Orthopaedic Society.