Living life in the fast lane
For Vito Ranuio, life moves fast. He owns and operates a trucking company, spends weekends desert racing with his son, and is always up for an outdoor adventure, from fishing and surfing to tackling adrenaline-fueled activities with his family. But when a sudden onset of leg pain left him barely able to walk or stand, everything came to a halt.
Before surgery, Vito was severely limited by his discomfort. He could only walk for about 10 minutes at a time and struggled to complete everyday chores. Standing long enough to prepare his car for a race or even play catch with his kids felt impossible.
The cause: two severely herniated discs in his lower back (L4/5 and L5/S1) pressing on nearby nerves. And the solution, according to multiple surgeons he saw early on, was a spinal fusion, a major procedure that could sideline him for up to six months. But Vito wasn’t willing to compromise his active lifestyle or time running his business. He was determined to find a less invasive alternative.
A different path forward
From epidural injections to physical therapy, Vito tried everything to avoid surgery, but nothing brought lasting relief. Finally, he was referred to UC Davis Health, where he met with spine surgeon Dr. Yashar Javidan. Dr. Javidan quickly recognized that Vito might be a candidate for something far less invasive. He connected him with Dr. Richard Price, a specialist in endoscopic spine surgery at the UC Davis Spine Center.
Dr. Price confirmed that Vito was a good match for an endoscopic microdiscectomy, the most minimally invasive form of spine surgery available. The outpatient procedure requires just two small incisions, each only eight millimeters wide.
“It was everything I was hoping for... fast, effective, and nothing like what other doctors had told me I’d need,” Vito says.
Meet Vito’s spine surgeon, Dr. Richard Price
“My whole journey lasted almost a year... and I probably could have gotten my life back within a few months if I had come to UC Davis Health from the start.”—Vito
Back to work the next day
The results were almost immediate. “The surgery went great,” he says. “My pain was gone. And the next day I was back at work.”
Vito’s recovery has been smooth and swift. He’s returned to everything he loves: racing, running around with his kids, and enjoying the little things he once took for granted, like standing without discomfort.
“I wish I had known about this procedure sooner,” he says. “My whole journey lasted almost a year... and I probably could have gotten my life back within a few months if I had come to UC Davis Health from the start.”
Grateful for every step
Today, Vito is back to living life without limits. He credits the team at UC Davis Health for helping him feel informed, supported, and cared for every step of the way.
“I’m big on timeliness, communication, and follow-through. UC Davis Health nailed all of it,” he says. “From my first visit to my post-op appointment, everything was organized and on point. I never had a single doubt.”
When asked what stood out most about his experience, he doesn’t hesitate. “It was how I never felt like just another number. Everyone who came in before surgery introduced themselves and explained their role. That meant a lot.”
Vito has some sage advice for anyone anticipating surgery or treatment: “If someone told me they were facing spine surgery, I’d tell them not to settle,” Vito says. “There’s a better way. UC Davis Health gave me my life back... and they did it faster than I ever thought possible.”