Five Tips for Guns and Spine Pain
Depending on where you get the statistics, up to 45% of men and 25% of women own guns in the United States. It is a Second Amendment right, and I am not here to debate the merits and nuances of the Amendment. As a spine surgeon however, I do want to discuss a common complaint […]
Cycling and Back pain
Depending on the source, it is estimated that at least 39 million Americans rode a bicycle at least 6 times a year. Demographic trends indicate a greater interest in cycling, particularly in the middle age years. The reason for this popularity is surprisingly simple. It is great exercise, and can be easier on the joints […]
Role of Vitamin D and a Healthy Spine
Association between low levels of Vitamin D and spinal surgery outcomes The role of Vitamin D in maintaining a healthy spine has been underestimated and overlooked by many. In the last few years, the relationship between Vitamin D levels and various components of spine health have been reported on with increasing frequency within the literature. […]
Do Patients remember their Past Medical History?
As a Doctor, I spend a significant amount of time obtaining detailed information about the problem from patients. That is known as obtaining a history. From experience, I know that most patients remember their current complaints and treatments. The harder part is to have patients remember their prior treatments, or prior episodes of the same. Unfortunately, patients tend to […]
Obesity Means more Spine Surgery Complications
Obesity means more Spine Surgery Complications. Surgeons cannot be politically correct about Obesity. The truth is Obesity makes surgery more difficult, and less successful. In the April 1, 2015 Edition of Spine, Dr. Burks, from the University of Virginia reviewed the data on Obesity and the associated rates of Incidental Durotomy during Lumbar Surgery. It […]
Why does my knee hurt when it rains?
Do your joints predict the weather better than any meteorologist? Can you feel a storm coming in your knees? Let’s talk….. Well, you are not alone. Your joints may actually hurt more when the weather changes. There is scientific validity to this phenomenon. The reason involves some pretty simple physics. There is pressure inside and […]
