Dr. Jessica Shellock

I’m honored to be featured with many of my colleagues in the November issue of Texas Monthly as a 2023 Super Doctor. In a time of the year when many of us reflect on what we are grateful for, I’m grateful to work alongside so many amazing spine surgeon and PM&R partners. It really is a team effort providing world class spine care to our patients.

I had an amazing day of climbing yesterday with my son at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. Shout out to Rock-About climbing for our awesome guide, Bob. Climbing is something I really love and it was so special to share in a perfect day with Taylor, who is becoming an amazing and talented climber! He killed that huge ledge on the latter pics; that was by far the hardest single move of any of the climbs we did. Whereas climbing isn’t really about upper body strength as much as you might think (granted, it’s helpful!), this move absolutely required it and his practice on the hang board in his room paid off big 😊

Never thought I’d hold a hummingbird in my hand! Look at this beautiful little creature. I was out watering plants in the yard when my daughter ran out and told me she heard a bird hit the back windows in the living room. This was the bird. Most of the hummingbirds that hit our windows die but this one was alive and just twitching on the ground 🥹. I gently picked it up and held it for a bit and it perked up, finally flying off. Yay!!!

Over the last few weeks, I’ve seen a number of patients for long-term follow-up (up to 8 years!) after disc replacement and they have all been doing great. My patient seen in the picture below had a cervical disc replacement done years ago and was able to compete in the Seattle half marathon after her surgery. We took a commemorative picture in the office where her picture hangs in one of my exam rooms as a thank you for the surgery. The common theme that comes up during these visits is that most patients wish they hadn’t waited so long to have their surgery. You see, at every follow up visit, I ask patients if they are still happy with their decision to have the surgery. I hear things like “gave me my life back” and “life-changing” often during these visits. It reaffirms my passion for motion-preservation surgery over fusion whenever possible. I think for many people suffering with back or neck pain out in the community, they wait so long because they are scared of surgery (understandably) and really don’t know the options that exist. I would simply encourage any and all people who have dealt with chronic back and neck issues that have taken away your quality of life to schedule a visit and at least understand if there are options for you. It may not be that you even need a surgery, but for many that are a candidate, it just might change your life. With disc replacement, experience counts. Make sure you get an opinion from a surgeon who has a breadth of experience in artificial disc replacement. You wouldn’t get a knee replacement from someone who does a few of those each year so why would it be any different for a spine surgery?!!

Yesterday my son and I earned our first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do after about 3 years of training together. I am SO proud of him for sticking with this! What an amazing accomplishment for a 10 year old 🥰 It was awesome doing this together. A bucket list item for me and hopefully a lesson for him that you can do anything if you persevere!!

It's great to be part of such an awesome team of surgeons and physiatrists! I appreciate the recognition in D Magazine and will continue to work hard during these crazy times to help get patients back to a life without pain.