Archives:
Can Discography Cause Problems?
All invasive procedures have associated risks. Traditionally, Discography has been used to identify pain generators in the spine. Some clinicians have opined it was good test, with acceptable low risks primarily due to needle placement and infections. Research regarding longer term effects of discography has suggested it may also be a cause of disk degeneration, and […]
Spine Surgery for Baseball Players
WE are now mid season for Major League Baseball, and some injuries are starting to take its toll on various teams. While shoulder and arm injuries are most common, there is a small but significant number of players with spine related injuries. Historically, we know several players have gone on to surgical management of herniated […]
The Price of Healthcare in America
With all the uproar in the government about healthcare, we must examine the costs directly experienced by the US population. What is the Price of Medical Care? There are 4 main areas that need funds to have medical care: 1. Physician’s fee 2. Diagnostic Testing costs 3. Pharmaceutical (medicines), and Medical Device costs 4. Hospital […]
Are Infections the reason for Disk Degeneration?
Dr. Ganko et al Published an intriguing article called “Can Baterial Infection by Low Virulent Organisms Be a Plausible Cause for Symptomatic Disk Degeneration?: A Systematic Review” in the May 15, 2015 issue of Spine. To summarize the paper, prior studies on the prevalence of infections in disk material were pooled together to do a […]
Five Tips for Guns and Spine Pain
Depending on where you get the statistics, up to 45% of men and 25% of women own guns in the United States. It is a Second Amendment right, and I am not here to debate the merits and nuances of the Amendment. As a spine surgeon however, I do want to discuss a common complaint […]
Cycling and Back pain
Depending on the source, it is estimated that at least 39 million Americans rode a bicycle at least 6 times a year. Demographic trends indicate a greater interest in cycling, particularly in the middle age years. The reason for this popularity is surprisingly simple. It is great exercise, and can be easier on the joints […]
