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Whiplash, a spine surgeon’s perspective
Unfortunately, whiplash has automatic negative connotations to most people. I hope we can have a civil discussion about this very emotional, personal, and at times, controversial topic. Whiplash does have it orgins related to locomotion. It was first described as an “acceleration-deceleration” motion to the neck (Crowe, 1928) typically cause by a collision. In the 1980’s the […]
Is Trauma the Cause of Cervical Radiculopathy?
As a practicing orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, I am constantly asked about the cause of cervical radiculopathy. From the patients, I am asked ” Doc, do you know why I developed this pinched nerve in my neck?”. And, since we are now in this environment of medical cost evaluation, the insurance companies then ask ” Doctor, […]
Video gaming, Virtual Reality, and Back Pain
Video gaming, Virtual Reality, and Back Pain Several years ago, The Entertainment Software Association published data on the video game industry. At that time, the industry generated over $25 billion in annual revenues in which more than 70% of American households admitted to playing computer or video games. One would think that the average age […]
Prescription Drugs, Driving and Machinery
In Florida, you can be prosecuted for Driving under the Influence even while taking prescribed narcotic drugs and muscle relaxers. In Florida, many employers perform random drug testing of it’s employees, and require drug testing, for employment. Most companies now require drug testing when accidents occur with the use of heavy machinery. Why do I […]
LOW BONE MASS, OSTEOPOROSIS AND BACK PAIN
Is there a connection between having ostepenia or osteoporosis (low bone mass) and having pain back pain? If you look through the medical literature and do a few Google searches, you will find that the standard answer is there is no association. Low bone mass does not cause pain. Osteoporosis has always been characterized as […]
Latest on Why Discs Herniate
The above image is taken from August 1, 2013 Spine. It is the title of the ISSLS Prize winning article by Dr. Rajasekaran. As you can see, it was a prospective study microscopically analysing disk material retrieved from 181 subjects, who underwent lumbar discectomy surgery. Patients selected for surgery met the criteria of being younger than 60 […]
