Dr. Jimmy Cheek's journey with Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta

Atlanta, Ga. (September 4, 2026) - When Jimmy Cheek, Ph.D., looks back on the past year, he is grateful for something many people take for granted: the ability to walk without pain.

A respected higher education leader who served as Chancellor of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and spent decades as a university professor and administrator, Dr. Cheek has always embraced an active lifestyle. Even in retirement, he stays busy serving on nonprofit boards, tending to his vegetable garden, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren.

"I like to stay active," Dr. Cheek said. "I travel, garden, attend sporting events, and enjoy spending time with family. Those things are important to me."

But for years, worsening back problems threatened the lifestyle he loved.

Living with pain

Dr. Cheek first began experiencing spine issues shortly after moving to Tennessee around 2010. What started as occasional discomfort gradually progressed into a condition that affected his ability to walk and stand comfortably. As someone who spent much of his career on his feet, the symptoms became increasingly difficult to ignore.

Over the years, physical therapy helped manage his condition. However, by late 2025, things had changed.

During a trip to Canada, simple activities became a challenge. At Niagara Falls, Dr. Cheek found himself unable to walk more than short distances before needing to sit down and rest.

"When I got off the bus, I carried a walking stick that day. I just couldn't walk," he recalled. "My wife wasn't sure I'd make it back to the bus."

Back home, new imaging revealed significant deterioration in his spine, including problems between the L4 and L5 vertebrae. Despite extensive physical therapy and multiple epidural injections, his symptoms continued to worsen.

Searching for answers

Like many patients facing spine conditions, Dr. Cheek sought expert opinions.

One surgeon advised against surgery altogether, describing it as a highly complex procedure that would require extensive hardware and a lengthy recovery. While grateful for the consultation, Dr. Cheek left feeling uncertain about his future.

"I was ready for a solution," he said. "But I wasn't ready for a high-risk solution."

Then his daughter encouraged him to seek another opinion from Anuj Patel, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon with Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta. Through family connections, they were already familiar with Dr. Patel's reputation.

That decision changed everything.

Confidence from the first visit

During his first appointment, Dr. Cheek immediately noticed a difference.

"He looked at my scans and said, 'This is what the problem is,'" Dr. Cheek recalled. "Then he said something I hadn't heard before: 'I can take care of that.'"

Using imaging to explain the condition in detail, Dr. Patel helped Dr. Cheek clearly understand what was happening in his spine and what treatment could achieve. He outlined the procedure, explained the recovery process, and answered every question.

"He told me exactly what he was going to do and exactly what he thought would happen afterward," said Dr. Cheek. "That gave me tremendous confidence."

For Dr. Cheek, who had spent years managing symptoms and hearing conflicting recommendations, the clarity was reassuring.

"Dr. Patel was positive, direct, and confident. He made me feel like there was a path forward."

A remarkable recovery

Dr. Patel performed the minimally invasive spine procedure in January 2026.

The recovery was even better than Dr. Cheek expected.

Within days of surgery, Dr. Patel felt Dr. Cheek was ready to return home to Knoxville rather than spend additional time in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Despite concerns about the drive home, he experienced little discomfort and quickly transitioned off prescription pain medication.

"I was amazed at how I felt and how I could walk," he said.

Within weeks, he began physical therapy. A few months later, he resumed physical training. Today, he has returned to nearly all the activities he enjoys.

"I'm doing basically anything I want to do," he said.

Back to the life He loves

Perhaps the greatest measure of success is how different life feels today.

The man who struggled to walk during a sightseeing trip in Canada recently traveled throughout Ireland without limitations.

"I feel like a completely different person," Dr. Cheek said. "I have no pain."

He has returned to gardening, traveling, exercising, and remaining actively involved in his community. In many ways, he says he is doing even more than he was before surgery.

A message for others

As part of Piedmont Orthopedics | OrthoAtlanta's commitment to delivering patient-centered orthopedic and spine care, physicians work closely with patients to ensure they understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and recovery plan. For Dr. Cheek, that partnership made all the difference.

He encourages anyone living with persistent back pain or mobility issues not to delay seeking expert care.

"Go see him," he said. "Don't hesitate."

Looking back, Dr. Cheek says the impact of treatment became clear almost immediately, and even more so when his longtime physical therapist noticed dramatic improvements in both his mobility and spine alignment.

When asked to describe Dr. Patel in three words, his answer comes quickly:

"Energetic. Positive. Competent."

Today, Dr. Cheek is focused on what matters most: enjoying retirement, spending time with family, traveling the world, and staying active.

And for that, he says, he is incredibly grateful.