Understanding Spine Disability Ratings: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Today, I want to talk about something that generates enormous confusion for patients, attorneys, employers, and insurers alike: spine disability ratings. After more than 30 years of evaluating spine conditions, I have found that few medical concepts are more misunderstood or more consequential than the numbers that get attached to a person’s spinal impairment. What […]
It Runs in the Family: What Genetics Tells Us About Back Pain and Disc Herniations
If your parent or grandparent suffered from chronic back pain, you may carry more than a sympathetic understanding of their condition; you may carry a genetic predisposition to it. A growing body of scientific research is clarifying what many clinicians have long suspected: the development of lumbar disc degeneration, disc herniation, and chronic low back […]
Back to Posting!
After several years focused on developing CaseChronology.com software, I am finally back to posting information I hope will be useful to my readers. I’m testing ways to disseminate information on my different social media platforms. Sorry it’s taking this long to re-engage with everybody. Last modified: June 14, 2026
After the Crash: What You Need to Know About Spine Injuries and Auto Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of acute spine injuries in the United States. Each year, millions of Americans experience neck or back pain following a collision. Navigating the medical, legal, and insurance landscape after an accident can be confusing and stressful. This post provides a factual overview of what typically […]
The CME Physician: A Voice for Objectivity, Resolution, and Healing
By John H. Shim, MD | Board-Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon In personal injury litigation, few roles are more misunderstood than that of the physician who performs a Compulsory Medical Evaluation (CME). Critics have worked hard to portray these physicians as partisan advocates for the defense, paid to minimize and deny. Having performed hundreds of these […]
Summer Sports and Your Spine: What Pickleball, Golf, and Swimming Can Do to Your Back
Warm-weather sports such as pickleball, golf, and swimming can support spine health when played wisely, but each activity also carries specific back-injury risks.
Is Percutaneous Discectomy Better Than Traditional Discectomy?
In this video/blog, we’ll be discussing percutaneous discectomy. Procedure In medicine, percutaneous refers to any procedure that’s performed by a needle through the skin. For a percutaneous discectomy, a thicker large diameter needle and small tools are used to remove the herniated disc. Most patients only have a small incision from the needle following the […]
Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
In this video/blog, we’ll be taking a look at the recent research on cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR). Purpose If you have persistent neck pain with shooting arm pain that has not improved despite the appropriate treatments prescribed by your doctor, it can be frustrating. For a specific group of people, an artificial disc replacement […]
Spine Injuries in Baseball
In this video/blog, we’ll be taking a look at common back injuries in professional baseball players. While football may have more high profile injuries than baseball, all professional athletes are exposed to high-impact forces. Professional baseball players also experience some of the highest rates of disc degeneration and back pain, but simultaneously a high rate […]
Does Spinal Manipulative Therapy Work for Lower Back Pain?
In this video/blog, we’ll be taking a look at two studies on the effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy for low back pain. Background let’s define spinal manipulative therapy (SMT). It is a technique of using the hands or a device to apply a controlled thrust to a joint of your spine. It is performed by […]
