Recurrent Herniated Nucleus Pulposus
Statistically, Recurrent Herniated Nucleus Pulposus occur more commonly than hoped. When you have a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus, the outer fibers of your disk, or the annulus has weakened allowing a tear, and subsequent rupture of the soft nucleus material out of the disk. We can debate the cause of the weakening of the outer annulus, but usually, it […]
Surgery for Recurrent Disk Herniations
Unfortunately, even after successful lumbar discectomy surgery, there is between a 5% and 15% chance of a recurrent disk herniation at the same location. The reason is secondary to the nature, and size of the lumbar disk. Most disk herniations are pieces of annulus, endplate, and or nucleus elements of the disk. The fragments, however, are only […]
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Results
How are the Results for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion? General consensus by most surgeons and patients report a 95%-98% success rate in terms of relief of arm pain. That statistic is very important for everyone to understand. Cervical Discectomy Surgery is successful for ARM PAIN. Unfortunately, that does not mean neck pain, or headaches. Just […]
The Cost of Medicare Spine Surgery
In this age of Healthcare cost transparency, few people really know what the US Government is really paying the doctors. In 2013, Bedlani et al published a fascination article called The Patient Perceptions of Physician Reimbursement for Spine Surgery. In the study, 200 consecutive patients of an outpatient clinic were provided an anonymous survey […]
Cervical Radiculopathy
What is Cervical Radiculopathy? The most common cause of Cervical Radiculopathy, a herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disc), which pinches one of the nerves in the neck. Other causes of cervical radiculopathy include bone spurs, fractures, infections and tumors. Fortunately, most of the time, the causes are not as serious as the latter three. What are […]
Cervical Myelopathy
What is Cervical Myelopathy? By definition, it is any functional change of the spinal cord. Usually, it is caused by pinching of the spinal cord by bone spurs, disk herniations, or a combination. In the above MRI, the red circle identifies changes in the spinal cord (see the different coloration) in a man with complaints […]
Are Restrictions Post Discectomy Necessary?
After lumbar disk surgery, there is a common misconception that all future activities must be restricted. More and more evidence indicates that the vast majority of post lumbar discectomy patients can and should be able to return back to all activities. Medical Science is a constant evolution of thoughts and processes. Thirty years ago, patients […]
Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Works
The results of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion are excellent. I find it strange that I must defend the results, but we are in a new era of information. Some would call it mis-information. If you spend time researching cervical discectomy surgery, you now see a trend where certain entities are advertising the radical nature of […]
Do I need a MRI?
That is a very common question asked by many of my patients. And, the answer is “It depends”. I know that is not very satisfying, but I will explain. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. There are very scientific and exacting descriptions of the study, but I will try to break it down into the […]
How Come my Doctor did not order an X-Ray?
That is a question often asked of me and my staff. The better question is “Why should you get an X-ray for back pain?” The answer to that question is “It depends.” I know. you want a better answer. But, there is a logic to the response. The most important determining factor on the need […]
