C5 Syndrome
For patients who undergo cervical myelopathy/radiculopathy surgery, surgeons always have concern for developing the so called C5 Syndrome. Some patients do wake up with weakness to the deltoid and biceps muscles. Typically, however, patients will not experience the weakness for a few days after the surgery. You can imagine the concern for both the patient and […]
Waddell’s Signs
This is a very difficult topic. It, however is an appropriate discussion, considering we are in a national debate about healthcare and its costs. As a physician, sometimes we are asked to make judgements on the validity of a patients complaints, and compare them to the physical findings. It can be an uncomfortable position for some […]
Back Pain and Traveling
Back pain is inconvenient at best, life altering at worst. Still, with or without it, we must continue to do what we need to do to participate in the activities of life. A common question asked by patients concern traveling. The specific questions asked are, when I have back pain, can I ride on a […]
Disk Surgery
Have you been told you need Disk Surgery? Unfortunately, that is a common situation faced by many patients that suffer from back pain with radiating, shooting leg pain. In extreme situations, such as severe weakness, or loss of control of bowel and bladder function, assuming the disk is the cause of the problem, you will need […]
Neck Pain Treatment
Are you interested in Neck Pain Treatments? Obviously, you have neck pain. Your physician must now figure out why. Initially, your physician may ask a series of questions about the pain: When did the neck pain start? Is there any associated trauma, such as a fall, accident, or altercation? Was the development of pain gradual, […]
Repeat Surgery After Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Traditionally, spinal surgery had a bad reputation. But, epidemiological studies have demonstrated efficacy of certain procedures. Recent analysis of the SPORT data indicates that for a matched population of patients with symptomatic disk herniations there are better long term outcomes for the surgical patient. Still, there is the constant fear of spinal surgery leading to additional […]
Whiplash, a spine surgeon’s perspective
Unfortunately, whiplash has automatic negative connotations to most people. I hope we can have a civil discussion about this very emotional, personal, and at times, controversial topic. Whiplash does have it orgins related to locomotion. It was first described as an “acceleration-deceleration” motion to the neck (Crowe, 1928) typically cause by a collision. In the 1980’s the […]
Is Trauma the Cause of Cervical Radiculopathy?
As a practicing orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, I am constantly asked about the cause of cervical radiculopathy. From the patients, I am asked ” Doc, do you know why I developed this pinched nerve in my neck?”. And, since we are now in this environment of medical cost evaluation, the insurance companies then ask ” Doctor, […]
Prescription Drugs, Driving and Machinery
In Florida, you can be prosecuted for Driving under the Influence even while taking prescribed narcotic drugs and muscle relaxers. In Florida, many employers perform random drug testing of it’s employees, and require drug testing, for employment. Most companies now require drug testing when accidents occur with the use of heavy machinery. Why do I […]
Latest on Why Discs Herniate
The above image is taken from August 1, 2013 Spine. It is the title of the ISSLS Prize winning article by Dr. Rajasekaran. As you can see, it was a prospective study microscopically analysing disk material retrieved from 181 subjects, who underwent lumbar discectomy surgery. Patients selected for surgery met the criteria of being younger than 60 […]
