It is a common misconception that spinal surgeons want to perform surgery on their patients. In reality, doctors who specialize in spinal procedures generally prefer to see their patients respond well to conservative, non-surgical modalities. It is only when these treatments do not improve the situation or when an injury is too severe for nonsurgical …Read More
Having spine surgery can feel stressful. We can understand why. Any surgical procedure has some unknowns. Patients want to know how to prepare for surgery, what their procedure may be like, and how to make the most of their recovery. Here, we cover the last topic with a list of important items you may want …Read More
Historically, back surgery has been known as a long and risky procedure that involved long incisions. Most spinal procedures were performed as what we call “open surgery.” This was necessary to create access to the layers of muscle and tissue that surround the spine. To undergo a back procedure, patients needed general anesthesia and, often, …Read More
Chronic back pain can have a detrimental effect on quality of life. Usually, people who are struggling with back pain rely on conservative remedies like rest and anti-inflammatory medication to control discomfort. When these measures do not provide an adequate level of relief, it may be a good idea to explore the potential benefits of …Read More
Spine surgery techniques have improved significantly in the past few decades. Where there used to be quite a bit of fear surrounding the idea of having back surgery, patients feel much more confident today. Many of the surgical procedures that are performed to resolve acute or chronic back pain are minimally invasive. Procedure times have …Read More
The number of diabetes diagnoses in America has risen substantially over the past several years. This has created a particular need for attention in all sub-specialties, including surgery. The effects of diabetes on the tissues of the body and on the body’s natural healing response present a challenge for surgeons. Therefore, it is vital that …Read More
It isn’t easy to live with persistent back or neck pain. According to statistics, spinal pain still accounts for a high percentage of missed days of work. Moreover, chronic stiffness, soreness, and tenderness in the back and neck can severely diminish a person’s quality of life. It comes as no surprise that many people seek …Read More
If there is a back surgery such as a laminectomy or spinal fusion on your horizon, you may be overwhelmed. It’s natural to have pre-surgery jitters even if you don’t currently have a procedure on the books; you just know that back surgery is inevitable. You may have felt that you had little control over …Read More
You may have heard the term “slipped disc.” Perhaps you’ve heard it from someone to whom you were describing your uncomfortable symptoms such as back or neck pain. This term is not commonly used in medicine, but it is widely used to loosely describe herniated and bulging spinal discs. If a friend or even your …Read More
Sciatica is the term that is commonly used to describe painful symptoms that originate within compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve, which happens to be the largest nerve in the body, travels from the low back to the feet. Its position at the base of the lumbar spine puts the sciatic nerve at risk …Read More
