causes of back pain

10 Years Later: James’ Patient Experience

Meet James, a former patient of mine. James’ story began when he was lifting paving stones and felt a sudden shooting pain in his back, eventually traveling to his legs and toes. Knowing something was wrong, he immediately consulted a physician, but doctor after doctor couldn’t figure it out. He had undergone prior surgery for a herniated disk about 15 years ago. After receiving five different opinions with no clear answer, James was left with more uncertainty: “Five different guys didn’t seem clear on where my problem was. They thought it was scar tissue from a previous surgery I had 15 years ago or a herniated disc. Three of the doctors consulted each other and thought some kind of implant would be best for me.” James continued to look for someone who could provide a better answer. He didn’t want rods put in his back. When a friend recommended my services, James did his research and made his appointment the next day. What I did differently from the previous doctors was to get a high quality MRI and special Xray views. Once I got the results back, I assured him that the pain was not due to scar tissue left

March 3, 2015

Winter’s Effect on Back Pain

It’s no secret that this winter has been unbearably cold. With record lows this February in many cities along the Eastern Seaboard, including here in New York, you might be wondering: what exactly is this bitter cold doing to our backs? Winter in itself can make your joint pain worse – and in some cases it can be debilitating. In fact, some people with rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis suffer from cold allodynia, which means they can predict approaching colder weather by how much pain they are in. In colder temperatures, the tissues in your body shrink, causing them to pull on nerve endings, which for many can result in joint pain. Also, cold weather can lead to muscle tightness, exacerbating lower back spasm. Additionally, many cold weather activities can cause back aches and pain – from the repetitive bending and twisting associated with shoveling snow to the chance of slipping on a sheet of ice, winter-related slips and falls are highly common. With Winter Storm Pandora on its way out and the potential for more still on the horizon before spring finally hits, protect yourself from extra pain with these helpful tips: Bundle up, including layers, hats, scarves, and

February 24, 2015

3-D Printing in Spinal Surgery

In spinal surgery, advancements in technology and medicine have given doctors new ways to combat conditions affecting the human body. Minimally invasive procedures use small incision for less complex procedures; in robotics, surgeons use robotic arms to carry out a minimally invasive procedures with potentially more accuracy. So what about 3-D printing? Technically, it’s been around since the 1980s, but hasn’t been used in medicine until recent years. Commonly used to support or replace body parts that don’t enter the bloodstream, 3-D printing has the ability to fabricate prosthetic limbs, layer by layer, from the ground up. What is 3-D printing? What is 3-D printing? In medicine, 3-D printing, also referred as additive manufacturing, is the process of using plastic or metal gel to shape a replacement body part based on a patient’s MRI or CT scan. 3-D printing is allowing prosthetics to be produced and personalized in complex shapes including hands and fingers. No longer will these devices cost thousands of dollars, removing much of the financial burden patients and their families may face. “If a parent wanted to purchase a 3-D printer of their own and produce hands for their own child, the cost of the printer and

January 27, 2015

Is Robotic Surgery Right For You?

What is Robotic Surgery? Robotic surgery is a term used for technological developments that use robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures. Robotically-assisted surgery has the potential to help overcome the limitations of minimally-invasive surgery, and to enhance the capabilities of surgeons performing some types of open surgery. To date, robotic surgery has had its biggest impact in Urological (Prostate) surgery, and general surgery. The applications in Spine surgery have been very limited to date, but we continue to monitor and research this technology. With robotically assisted surgery, the surgeon uses a remote manipulator to control the robotic arms that carry out the movements of the surgery. The advantage of this is to allow for very fine and controlled movements in a tight and inaccessible space, and for potentially improved visualization with the miniature camera systems that accompany the robotic arms, examples of such systems include the DaVinci Robot platform. Robotic surgery has been criticized for its expense, by one estimate costing $1,500 to $2000 more per patient. [1] However, this advanced technology allows surgeons to perform general exams as well as complex gynecological, cardiothoracic, and urological procedures with a minimally invasive approach. Potential benefits of robotic surgery In general,

January 20, 2015

The Pros and Cons of Laser Spinal Surgery

Sustaining a spine injury can be devastating – and can lead to significant pain, dysfunction, and loss of mobility. In recent years, laser spinal surgery has appeared on the scene, touted as a quicker and easier option than typical spinal surgery and performed for a variety of spinal conditions—with mixed results. Many patients with a spine injury try to educate themselves with internet research when trying to decide whether to have surgery, and what type to have. While laser spinal surgery can be less invasive, and effective in some cases with a certain diagnosis, there are many conditions that it is not effective in treating. Laser spine surgery is heavily marketed on the internet and TV as “better and safer” than traditional surgical techniques, and claims to give a “quicker recovery.” These claims are unproven and can be mis-leading. Patients often assume that “laser” means more technically advanced. Before you choose laser spinal surgery, it may be best to do your homework on the facility preforming the surgery. You should also get more than one opinion from an experienced spine specialist. Please contact my practice if you have any questions or are considering laser spinal surgery. What is laser spinal surgery? Laser spine surgery refers to

January 13, 2015

Bad Posture and Back Pain in Children

I can’t stress enough the importance of good posture, and that’s especially true for kids. It’s not just that it makes them look and feel more alert and prepared; bad posture in childhood and adolescence can mean back pain in adulthood. Some doctors report seeing children as young as seven years old with back problems. A major part of the problem is the ways in which our kids learn and relax. Backpacks are heavier than ever, and the chairs most schools provide make good posture very difficult to achieve. Backward sloping chairs mean students have to curve their spines forward to write on desks. Plus, all that recreational time spent hunched over a laptop, PlayStation, or iPad means young backs likely aren’t getting the support they need outside of the classroom, either. There are things parents can do (beyond yelling) so slouchy kids don’t grow into suffering adults. Gentle reminders. Being conscious of good posture is the first step to maintaining it. Your kids don’t want to hear it and you may get sick of saying it, but this is where it begins. Make breaks a priority. We’ve all become accustomed to sitting for long periods of time, but

September 9, 2014

5 Ways to Avoid Back Pain at Work

When our grandparents worked on farms or in factories, every day posed the risk of serious injury. We think we’ve come a long way, but have you considered the harm you could be doing to your body by sitting at a desk for eight or more hours a day? Humans weren’t designed to be sedentary, but today many of us work in situations that require hours of sitting before a computer, being stationary for at least 50% of the day. With all of this sitting, chances are that many of us aren’t maintaining good posture throughout the day, a bad habit that could lead to lower back pain, as well as other issues such as circulatory problems, gastrointestinal problems, and even depression. Here are some ways to combat poor posture and back pain at work: Get up and walk around – Short walks will not only increase circulation and realign your spine but will be a nice way to break up a long work day. Studies show that taking short breaks can help improve focus, so don’t just do it for your health but for productivity, too! You can even set an alarm on your phone to remind you to

August 20, 2014

Do Flat Feet Cause Back Pain?

In a recent study, researchers found that women who have flat feet, a common condition, are 50 percent more likely to have pain in their lower back as opposed to those with normal or high arches. This study is the first of its kind to make a significant connection between low back pain and flat feet. Published in the journal Rheumatology, the study examined both men and women, measuring each subject’s arch in the standing position and how pressure was distributed on the foot while walking. To confirm and expand the findings, future studies will likely follow participants with different types of arches for a significant period of time, and will attempt to determine what effect interventions such as orthotics may have on the development of back pain. So why are women more affected by walking with flat feet than men? Marian Hannan, senior author of the study, and her team were not able to determine exact causes but suggested a few possible reasons. For example, pelvic bones in women are wider than and not as flexible as those in men, and women tend to rotate their hips and move their upper bodies more as they walk.

November 19, 2013

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