Tag: Spinal Surgery
“Will the metal in my device set off metal detectors at the airport?” Especially since September 11, 2001, when airport security measures increased significantly, it’s been a common question for spinal implant patients. They’re concerned they may set off detectors, be subjected to more screening than their fellow travelers, and, of course, delay their travel. Metal implants can include knee replacements, hip replacements, and other orthopedic implants. Implants are usually made of cobalt chrome, stainless steel, or titanium. The location of your implant, and what it’s made of, can both affect whether you set off a metal detector. While there …
Pain management is one of the oldest areas of medicine. And just as there are many different causes of pain, there are many different treatment options. One of the most controversial options is pain-relieving drugs, especially the long-term use of opioids for chronic pain. One thing is for sure – all patients should have access to a variety of pain management options. Pain-relieving drugs may be the right choice in some cases, but they should never be the only option on the table. A recent bill sponsored by Wisconsin congressman Ron Kind serves to highlight this issue. Many veterans receive …
Derrek is a patient of mine who has left a lasting impression – he recently ran his first half marathon after having a 2 level spinal fusion (see his xray to the left). He is a great example of patients who become more physically active after a spinal fusion than they were before, which is a common experience in our practice. Derrek’s back pain began eleven years before his surgery, when one day he woke up with terrible pain in his back. Over the course of the eleven years, after all else failed, his condition deteriorated to the point where he considered surgery. …
An AARP article that discusses common surgeries to avoid – including spinal fusion – has recently made its way back into the headlines. Specifically, it cites studies that show the frequency of this procedure has increased 1,400 percent between 2002 and 2007, and does not appear to be slowing down. The article suggests that the surgery is dangerous and is no more effective than physical therapy, which is inaccurate and misleading. Spinal fusion involves the joining of two or more vertebrae together, using screws and rods along with bone graft material, and sometimes cages (devices that support the vertebra). …
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 …
Regenerative cell therapy is a major next step in medical research, with the potential to effectively treat the most complex diseases – including various forms of cancer. Researchers studying regenerative cell therapy look at both how stem cells may be used to replace, repair, reprogram or renew your diseased cells, and at how reprogrammed stem cells may be turned into specialized cells that can repair or regenerate cells. It has the potential to change the outcomes for patients who are left with little time and very few answers. In regenerative cell therapy, function is restored in damaged or destroyed tissues, …
Kathryn is a former patient of mine who has left a lasting impression. Her back pain began when she hurt her L3/L4 disc after a spinning class, and she believes she aggravated the injury during a subsequent game of golf. Initially, Kathryn told me she didn’t think too much of it because she’s athletic and used to pushing herself outside her comfort zone. Kathryn thought this was something she could deal with – so she sought a massage treatment, iced her lower back area, and rested. Afterwards, she continued to play golf and attend spinning class. Unfortunately, what Kathryn didn’t …
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 …
There are incredible achievements happening in technology and science every day, especially in the world of spinal surgery. One of the most recent developments in spine surgery, using robotic technology in the operating room, has been up for debate among surgeons and spinal specialists, and I’ve been considering the pros and cons of these new treatment options myself. Robotic surgery is considered a minimally invasive procedure in which the surgeon controls the camera and instruments using a console. The surgeon operates the robot while looking through a monitor that allows him to see inside the patient. Every movement made by …
We’re still in the throes of a frozen winter – which just so happens to be a very popular time to conceive. If you’re pregnant or considering it, there are a few things to be aware of when it comes to your back and spinal health. Women who have experienced chronic back pain or other spine issues and are hoping to become pregnant should visit a spine first. Chronic spinal conditions can worsen during pregnancy due to increased mechanical stress and hormonal changes. This sometimes requires prolonged bed rest toward the end of gestation, or occasionally surgery during the pregnancy. …
