Herniated Disc

Rob Gronkowski for Lower Back Disc Injury

Recently, it was confirmed that New England Patriot tight end Rob Gronkowski will undergo surgery this June to repair a lower back disc injury, which has been troubling him since November of last year. Unfortunately, this is not the first or the last time we will see this type of headline in the news, as the rate of sports-related injuries continues to rise. Gronkowski is no stranger to surgery. In 2009, the two-time Pro Bowler missed his entire junior season at the University of Arizona, due to a similar, though unrelated, disc injury. Following the 2011-12 season, Gronkowski had surgery for strained ligaments in his ankle. Most recently, he underwent four surgeries in the past seven months on his left arm, which he broke last November and reinjured in December. His latest injury highlights the significant injury rate sustained by professional football players. Head trauma and spinal conditions are becoming increasingly more common, and only now are we beginning to understand the long term effects of injuries suffered more than 20 or even 30 years ago. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 920,000 people 18 and under were treated for football-related injuries in hospital emergency rooms, doctors’ offices

June 4, 2013

Herniated Disc of the Lumbar Spine (Part II)

Last week, I posted about herniated discs in the cervical spine (or neck), but herniated discs can also occur in the lumbar spine (low back). Often times, patients suffering from a herniated disc in the lumbar spine are in the 30 – 40 year old age range. Many of the patients that I treat have injured their back from sporting or lifting incidents, but sometimes the injury occurs just from routine activities like bending over to pick up an object on the floor. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, low back pain affects four out of five people; therefore a herniated disc in the lumbar spine can go unnoticed. It is especially important for patients to visit their doctor or a specialist if their low back pain persists longer than 2 weeks or starts to radiate down the leg. Although pain is the first and most noticeable symptom of a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, the severity of the pain depends on which disc is injured and the extent of the herniation. In some cases, the pain may spread over the buttocks, down the back of the thigh and into the calf. The pain may be in one leg

May 14, 2013

Herniated Disc of the Cervical Spine (Part I)

Have you ever heard someone complaining of pain from a “slipped disc?” If so, they are referring to a herniated disc. Discs can bulge when they lose water content, making the disc flatter with less cushioning. When a disc becomes too weak and begins to bulge, it puts pressure on the surrounding nerves. This pressure can cause nerve pain, numbness, tingling and weakness. Herniated discs can occur in the cervical spine (neck) or in the lumbar spine (lower back). Today, I will share my experience with patients who have a herniated disc in the cervical spine. This condition can occur without any obvious cause or injury. Some of the risk factors include: trauma, an accident or sudden twisting, a repeated or sudden strain on the back (as from lifting a heavy weight) or certain jobs that require heavy lifting. Some people are at a higher risk for this condition, but how do you know when you have actually hurt yourself? Symptoms of a herniated disc in the cervical spine include: Sudden neck or shoulder pain that travels down your arms Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms In some cases, weakness in legs, loss of balance, partial or

May 7, 2013

Cervical Spinal Fusion vs. Disc Replacement Surgery

Many of my patients first visit my practice with complaints of neck and arm pain, caused by a herniated disc. Although most episodes of neck pain are temporary, some patients experience chronic pain that ultimately requires surgery. Depending on the patient’s level of discomfort, there are two surgical options, cervical spinal fusion and disk replacement. When cervical spinal fusion surgery is performed, the affected bones in the neck are “fused” together using bone graft material with a plate and cage, so they can heal into one healthy bone. Bone grafts can be taken from a patient’s pelvic bone, or cadaver and synthetic bone are also options. Depending on the type of herniated disc and spinal stability, the spinal surgeon will determine the best method for surgery. These methods are anterior fusion, where the spine is operated on from the front, and posterior fusion, where the spine is operated on from the back. After cervical spinal fusion surgery, surgeons sometimes recommend wearing a brace to support the fusion progress. This is more important after a multi-level fusion. Maturation of the fusion can take up to 12 weeks. It is important for patients to limit their physical activity level and allow the

April 23, 2013

More Content | Blog

Rob Gronkowski for Lower Back Disc Injury

Herniated Disc of the Lumbar Spine (Part II)

Herniated Disc of the Cervical Spine (Part I)

Cervical Spinal Fusion vs. Disc Replacement Surgery