Archives:

Why a More Optimistic Surgeon Can Face Greater Risk Than an Aggressive One

It may seem counterintuitive, but the spine surgeon who tells you “you probably don’t need surgery” can actually be taking on more professional risk than the surgeon who recommends operating right away. After more than 30 years practicing orthopaedic spine surgery in the Tampa Bay area, this is a pattern I have seen consistently, and […]

The First 30 Days: Medical and Legal Timelines After a Spine Injury Car Accident

Today, I want to talk about something that comes up constantly in my practice: what actually happens, medically and legally, in the first month after a car accident causes a spine injury. Patients and attorneys alike often focus on the eventual claim or lawsuit, but the early weeks set the foundation for everything that follows. […]

Getting a Spine MRI Can Increase Your Chances of Future Surgery, Even After Your Pain Is Gone

A closer look at an underappreciated consequence of early imaging — and what it means for your long-term spine health. What Most Patients Are Never Told About Spine MRIs Every year, millions of patients with back or neck pain undergo MRI studies. For many, the pain resolves on its own within weeks or months. It […]

Why an Evaluation for Pain After a Minor Auto Accident May Differ From an Evaluation for Everyday Pain

Today, I want to talk about something that comes up often in my practice: why a medical evaluation for back or neck pain after a car accident can look and feel different from an evaluation for pain that develops from everyday life, like gardening, lifting at work, or simply waking up stiff. The underlying spine […]

Engineered for Survival: How 60 Years of Vehicle Safety Advances Changed Spine Injuries After Rear-End Crashes

Today, I want to talk about something that comes up often in my practice: how dramatically the nature of spine injuries from rear-end car crashes has changed since I started practicing in the early 1990s, and how much further back the real transformation began. When people picture a “whiplash injury,” they often imagine the same […]