ANTHROS CASE STUDY
Managing Degenerative Disc Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis & Parsonage-Turner Syndrome with the Anthros Chair
Name: Pamela Vidro | Age: 51 years
Condition: Degenerative Disc Disease (Lumbar & Cervical), Thoracic Intercostal Tear, L4/5 Disc Replacement & Fusion, Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, PTSD
Location: Biloxi, Mississippi
About Pamela
Pamela served in the U.S. Army from 1996–2002 and the New Jersey Army National Guard from 2003–2009. During her deployment to Afghanistan,
she sustained a serious back injury and later developed Rheumatoid Arthritis
and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), both of which led to her
medical retirement.
In 2024, after enduring years of severe back pain and multiple emergency room visits, Pamela was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome. She underwent a disc replacement and spinal fusion at L4/5, which relieved the acute pain but left her struggling to find comfort when sitting.
Despite trying countless chairs over the years, none provided the relief she needed. Pamela resorted to using a wing-back armchair on wheels for daily activities like dining, painting, and watching TV, but even short sitting sessions caused 8/10 pain and discomfort.
PAMELA’S CHALLENGES
Severe Pain (8/10)
Functional Limitations
Autoimmune Complications
Post-Surgical Sensitivity
Financial Barriers
INTERVENTION
Pamela discovered the Anthros chair through a Facebook post. After watching videos and reading customer comments, she learned about the Anthros Foundation and decided to apply. Upon receiving her chair, Pamela assembled it and began using it at her kitchen table while waiting for her new art studio to be completed. Even before it was custom-fitted, she noticed a profound difference in how she felt when sitting: “Even without it fitted to me, it is a life-changing tool.”
The Anthros Chair provided:
Pelvis Support
Upper Back Support
Premium Contoured Cushion
RESULTS
Since using the Anthros chair, Pamela has experienced dramatic reductions in pain and a renewed ability to pursue her passion for painting.
PAMELA’S words
“I’ve spent many days over the last 16 years laying down, unable to sit as every joint in my body was affected by RA. When that was finally under control, I was sidelined with my spinal cord pinched. All the chairs in our home, I had to rock from hip to hip, but in the Anthros chair, I can sit and not have to get up and lay down to give my spine a break. The seat cushion alone is so comfortable.”
Pamela described her experience as “mind-blowing,” saying that at 51, she is learning for the first time what proper sitting feels like:
“Imagine being 51 and learning for the first time how sitting is supposed to feel.”
Conclusion
For Pamela, the Anthros chair has been transformative, reducing her pain, improving stability, and allowing her to reclaim her identity as an artist. She can now sit comfortably and paint without interruption, something she hadn’t been able to do in over a decade.
Her story demonstrates how the Anthros Chair can restore comfort, creativity, and quality of life for veterans and individuals living with complex spinal and autoimmune conditions.
