A new surgery started in Bridgeport is changing the lives of patients suffering with severe pain, which could help limit the use of opioids.

Vince Romano, of Newton, says he had severe back pain. The 72-year-old said he had several surgeries starting four years ago.

"It was so bad that my left leg, I was dragging it along the ground," says Romano.

Romano went to Dr. Gerard Girasole and Dr. Theresa Bowling at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport. After his last surgery, Romano says Dr. Bowling used a new nerve block surgery. Doctors say nerve block not only gets rid of the pain, it reduces the need for addicting painkillers.

Romano says it's been amazing.

"I had no pain at all and to this day, I never took a pain medicine, nothing. It was absolutely unbelievable. My back is fine. No pain," said Romano.

Romano says he's now able to walk like he used to before he had pain.