Spinal Surgery

Perfect Gifts for Back Pain Sufferers

With the holidays just around the corner, I thought I’d take a moment to share some of the best gifts for the loved ones in your life who unfortunately suffer from back pain. Give the gift of comfort this season and encourage your friends and family to keep their backs healthy and strong. Backjoy is an easily transportable seat that you can use in the car, in the office, on a plane, and anywhere else you find yourself sitting down. The ergonomic design makes sitting more comfortable and offers long-lasting consistent support. The patented innovative design comes in a variety of colors, so you can select the perfect one for your friends and family. (Backjoy.com, $39.99) Barefooters are made in Italy out of an eco-friendly, naturally antimicrobial material called Corksilite (cork and silicone), and come in muted, organic colors that keep the cork pattern visible. The patented reflexology massage footbed coupled with the fitted shell that matches the shape of the foot makes for a great-feeling experience perfect for post-workout recovery and increasing circulation to the legs and feet. (Amazon, PlanetShoes.com, Shoebuy.com, Footsmart.com, prices vary by style) BOSU: Consider the BOSU training device for friends and family that want to

December 3, 2013

James Levine’s Recovery and Return to the Stage

On a recent episode of Charlie Rose, James Levine, Musical Director of the Metropolitan Opera, spoke about his return to conducting after a two-year absence. Following multiple health issues, most recently a fall that damaged a vertebra which left him with no feeling in his legs, he now conducts from a motorized wheelchair. It was back in March that he made his debut – and received a standing ovation due to his remarkable recovery. Levine, 70, has worked with the Met since 1971, and during that time he has unfortunately experienced multiple health issues, including surgery in 2009 and again in 2010 to repair a herniated disk in his back. Following his recent fall, he went through intensive therapy that helped him to develop feeling and eventually to walk again. According to the Huffington Post, his doctors are ‘hopeful for a complete recovery.’ What Mr. Levine has accomplished in his recovery is remarkable. While I’m not his doctor, I can confirm that paralysis is often experienced due to an injury in the spinal cord, often from a crushed vertebra or disc. The spinal cord normally carries nerve impulses, but in people who are paralyzed, the nerve cells do not function

October 29, 2013

Dr. McCance Introduction

This is the first introductory video in an upcoming series that discusses spine health and the implications of various injuries and treatments, including surgery. Here, I discuss my background, residency and current position within the field of surgery. Thank you for watching, and to see the full series and stay updated on the latest health tips, please follow my practice on Facebook: www.facebook.com/McCanceMD

August 28, 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

The July Effect: Patient Spinal Care Service Unaffected in July

A controversial topic has been dominating headlines recently, and is an important issue that I’d like to discuss. It’s the phenomenon known as the “July Effect” – the notion that being admitted to a teaching hospital in July, the month in which medical students begin residency, will increase the risk of poor patient care and medical errors. With this uptick in concern, numerous articles have been published about the topic and rightfully disprove the claim, including research from The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine and The Mayo Clinic. In my opinion, the July Effect is absolutely false. The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine found that among the sicker, high-risk patients who had more illnesses and higher rates of mortality, there was no difference in any outcome of patients admitted in July compared to those admitted in another month. Jennifer S. McDonald, a researcher in the radiology department at the Mayo Clinic, made the poignant argument that “if there really was a July effect, we would expect it to manifest in these patients.” I agree. Let’s look at spinal surgery specifically – a practice that is immensely delicate and technically demanding. At Mt. Sinai Hospital, on my service, the residents are closely supervised

March 25, 2013

More Content | Blog

Perfect Gifts for Back Pain Sufferers

James Levine’s Recovery and Return to the Stage

Dr. McCance Introduction

Cervical Spinal Fusion vs. Disc Replacement Surgery

The July Effect: Patient Spinal Care Service Unaffected in July