Does Optimism Help Spine Surgery Results?
People who undergo elective spine surgery usually fall into three general groups: 1. Hard charging optimists – People who do not have time for the pain, and dysfunction, of spine problems. These folks are often in a rush to go directly to surgery. 2. Cautious realists – These patients spend appropriate time to understand their problem and the risks […]
Cervical Selective Nerve Block
What is a Cervical Selective Nerve Block? For people with arm pain and tingling secondary to a pinched nerve in the neck, most of the time, the pain does get better. But for a small minority, the pain remains constant despite all conservative treatments. For those people, your physician may offer injections of cortisone to the neck. The rationale being, […]
Research on Twins and Disc Degeneration
So, what if you had a study where identical twins were subject to difference occupations and followed over time to see if there was any difference in the development of disk degeneration? I think everyone would agree that would be a fascinating study. If we had just a study, maybe we would have enough data to […]
The Unintended Consequences of a Spine MRI
So, you have spine pain. In the USA, there is a natural tendency to want to get a Spine MRI as soon as possible. We are in an instant information society, and it would make sense that we would want to instantly see if there is a problem in our back. Naturally, there is aways the […]
Diet and Back Pain
We often do not make the connection of diet and back pain. But, like in all things, subtle changes can make a difference. I have blogged several times about the effects of weight and back pain, but this blog will be oriented to the type of food, not excessive food. In general, back pain can be […]
Walking is the Best Exercise
Many of our patients want to know the best exercise for their spine problems. Some bring me reams of information about the latest exercise trends. To all of them, I say JUST WALK! If you are already in great shape, good for you! But the rest of us need a simple way to get […]
What is myelopathy?
Myelopathy means a compromised state of the spinal cord. And, there are multiple reasons for that situation. The more uncommon reasons are secondary to vascular compromise. Usually there is compromise of the blood supply to the spinal cord. Typically, it is the anterior spinal artery that is effected, although, posterior artery (there are two of […]
Spine Surgeon “Tough Love”
No one should want to see a Spine Surgeon. The evaluation is secondary to pain, and loss of activity. Spine Surgery is painful. It is a necessary, difficult process that is beneficial to the patient in the long run. That definition can also be considered a form of “Tough Love”. Those who have delivered “Tough […]
Concussions Affect the Spine
The concussions in sports conversation will surely be brought up again as football season starts. Most of the discussion is about the affects on the brain. As a spine surgeon, I made a video to further the discussion as the spine and neck are also affected by the forces that cause concussions. CitationsElkin BS, Elliott […]
