Is a Pinched Nerve a Permanent Problem?
As a Spine Surgeon, I see people with pinched nerves almost everyday. Fortunately, most pinched nerves do not become a permanent problem. That is why greater than 98% of pinched nerves can be treated without an operation. Pinched nerves are commonly caused by herniated nucleus pulposus (disk herniation), cervical and lumbar spondylosis (bone spurs). The […]
Spinal Cord Injuries
Unfortunately, as a spine surgeon, I have had to deal with spinal cord injuries. Fortunately, it remains a rare occurrence. But, the consequences can be devastating. The least catastrophic of spinal cord injuries is the spinal cord contusion. In the simpliest term, it is a bruising of the spinal cord, with associated inflammation, and irritation […]
Most Sacroiliac Joints do not Hurt
As a Spine Surgeon, I am constantly asked to find a surgical solution for various back complaints. People come into the office with various test results including MRI’s, CAT scans, nerve tests and x-rays. A certain percentage have already had surgery, including lumbar spinal fusion, and remain frustrated by the continued pain. Lately, I have […]
Time to Get off the Couch!
You all know that excess weight does lead to more spine complaints. At the same time, it takes more than weight control to keep your spine strong and functional. It takes EXERCISE. In the December 15, 2015 Spine Journal, a paper by Physical Therapist, Ulrika Aasa, et al (Physical Activity Might be a Greater Importance of […]
Poor Surgery Outcomes with Narcotics
In the June 2014 issue of the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American edition), Dennis Lee, MD and colleagues submitted a Paper titled “Preoperative Opiod Use as a Predictor or Adverse Postoperative Self-Reported Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery”. The paper discussed an investigation performed at the Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville Tennesee. 583 patients, […]
Weather and Back Pain
Winter is just around the corner, and the cold weather is definitely here. My patients all complain that they have more pain with the cooler temperatures. While everyone believes cold weather, and stormy weather contributes to worsening arthritis pain, the scientific data can be conflicting at times. In relationship to work activities, some population studies have […]
Why we have Disk Herniations
Today, I saw a very rare patient. Why? Because he is 40 years old, and his MRI report read “Normal Lumbar Spine.” After looking at his MRI, I came to the same conclusion. There was no evidence of any disk narrowing, disk dehydration, or bone spur development. But he had back pain, from a […]
Still having Pain after Spine Surgery?
Statistically, most people do improve with spine surgery. Unfortunately, some people do not improve, and a few are worsened. As a Spine Surgeon, I know many patients want a guarantee of improvement after surgery. The truth is, THERE CAN NEVER BE A GUARANTEE. Surgeons can only give chances of success. As I tell my […]
