At age 43, John F. Kennedy was the youngest president elected into U.S. workplace, and has been depicted as full of youth and vitality. But he was far from healthy, and spent most of his adult life fighting with many medical issues, including back pain which started during college and continued until his death, according to a recent review article from the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.
Based on 10 years of study on Kennedyβs medical documents and reported symptoms, senior author T. Glenn Pait, MD, believes Kennedy had discogenic disease stemming from an accident in his childhood that began a cascade of problems in his low back. Dr. Pait is Director of the Jackson T. Stephens Spine and Neurosciences Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
Kennedy was originally rejected when trying to enlist in the Army due to his medical issues, such as back pain, but was eventually accepted in the U.S. Naval Reserve during his dadβs connections. βThis is a testament to his decision to serve his country,β Dr. Pait said. βKennedy was originally given a desk job, but that was not enough for him, and he was later admitted into a patrol torpedo program.β
Kennedyβs back issues worsened when his naval boat was hit by a Japanese destroyer, and Kennedy drifted for 5 hours to a nearby island while towing an injured crewman to shore by holding the ring of the manβs life jacket between his teeth, Drs. Dowdy and Pait noted in their newspaper.
The review article refers to a series of 4 ineffective surgeries, including a sacroiliac (SI) and lumbosacral fusion. Various doctors who treated Kennedy had different theories about the reason for his back pain, also suggested a variety of different treatments ranging from trigger point injections and an exercise program (swimming and weight lifting), to massage and a back brace, to methamphetamine-containing shots. The exercise program, started later in his life, produced βdramaticβ improvement, according to the researchers. The program consisted of weight lifting three times each week and everyday swimming plus massage and heat therapy.
βJFKβs narrative illustrates the difficulty and complexity in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders, especially in the context of chronic pain,β Dr. Dowdy advised SpineUniverse. βOur spines age as we age if itβs degenerative disk disease, pinched nerves, or spinal stenosisβimaging abnormalities are certain to appear later in life. Treating and preventing these disorders is just as much of an art as itβs a science, particularly in determining those individuals who will probably benefit from surgery.β
Dr. Dowdy noted that much progress has been made in how spinal conditions are diagnosed and treated as the time when Kennedy sought attention, such as βthat the refinement of both less-invasive spine surgery methods and diagnostic imaging.β Dr. Dowdy also emphasized an important point that applies to any era: βthe significance of having a trusted spine surgeon who is prepared and capable of supplying the right surgery in the appropriate conditions.β
John F. Kennedyβs story also suggests that βthe most beneficial methods to prevent chronic back pain may be accessible and affordable,β Dr. Dowdy stated. βOften the most appropriate strategy for chronic low back pain is actively pursuing proper spine hygiene: maintaining healthy body weight, refraining from smoking, and pursuing a nutritious diet and exerciseβespecially workouts comprising yoga-style stretches,β Dr. Dowdy emphasized. βIt boils down to pursuing a healthy and active way of life.β
βIndividuals who suffer from chronic pain may hopefully be inspired to know that Kennedy remained physically energetic and driven to accomplish his goals despite his annoyance,β Dr. Dowdy concluded.
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