Surgery

Pain Management Cheat Sheet

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 only drug therapy for their chronic pain. The bill, called the Chiropractic Care Available to All Veterans Act, would make chiropractic care a standard benefit of Veterans Affairs health care, and require chiropractic care and services at every VA medical center by the end of 2016. The bill is also supported by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Paralyzed Veterans of America, the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, National Chiropractic Leadership Conference, and the American Chiropractic Association. Pain management is a major health care issue in America. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), pain affects more Americans than

April 14, 2015

Back on the Dance Floor: Kathryn’s Patient Experience

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 do was listen to her body and get help when she needed it. I see this in a lot of patients; a good rule of thumb is if the pain persists, starts to travel down your arm or leg, and/or keeps you up at night, it’s time to see a physician. Unfortunately, the pain took a turn for the worse when Kathryn further exacerbated her injury lifting a mattress while vacuuming. Kathryn contacted my office and met with me to discuss different options that would work for her injury. Because she had severe nerve compression in her lower back due

February 3, 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

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

What is a Lumbar Herniated Disc? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

With nearly 80 percent of the general population experiencing back pain at some point in their lives, it is important for patients to understand the source of their discomfort in order to expedite relief. Herniated discs—sometimes referred to as slipped or ruptured discs—are one of the more serious causes of lower back pain. Herniated discs can lead to severe pain, and even to numbness and weakness in the legs, if left untreated. Today, I will further explain the root causes of the pain associated with herniated discs, common symptoms, and a few simple treatment options. What is a herniated disc? In between your spinal vertebrae are discs that work to absorb the shock created from day-to-day tasks. These round discs are composed of a tough outer ring and a soft, jelly-like center. Either injury or general wear and tear from aging can cause these discs to tear, or herniate, and allow the soft center to rupture and displace into the spinal canal. This shift can irritate spinal nerves and causes the discomfort and pain common known as sciatica. Who is most at risk? Herniated discs are most commonly seen in males ages 30 to 50. As you many remember, Tiger

July 15, 2014

What is Scoliosis? Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Scoliosis is a somewhat common condition that affects approximately 6 million Americans or 2-3% of the general population. Many people are familiar with back braces that sometimes accompany the treatment of scoliosis. However, from varying degrees of spinal curvature to different treatment options, there’s more to it than just back braces – and I’m sharing a brief guide to understanding what scoliosis is, who it affects, and how it is treated. What is scoliosis? Scoliosis, simply put, is an abnormal curvature of the spine. While a normal spine forms a straight line from the neck to the buttocks, spines with scoliosis curve to form a C or S shape. Who has scoliosis? Scoliosis can begin at any age. Most commonly, it develops in adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15. Juvenile scoliosis occurs when spinal curvature develops in children under the age of 10. Adult onset scoliosis, or degenerative scoliosis, most often develops in adults over the age of 60. Degenerative scoliosis can be caused by a gradual deterioration of discs from a lifetime of wear and tear. While adolescent scoliosis occurs equally among both genders, females are eight times more likely to progress to a degree serious enough

May 6, 2014

A New Study on Treatments for Spinal Cord Compression

Last week, the Wall Street Journal shared a new study underway at Tufts University’s Lahey Hospital on the treatment options for cervical myelopathy, often referred to spinal compression. As one of the most common spinal cord problems for Americans over age 55, this is a condition that specialists have been studying since the early part of last century. This new research is another step to help us better define the optimal surgical approach to this patient group. Cervical myelopathy, or spinal cord compression, is caused by degeneration or damage to the spine that causes a narrowing of the spinal canal. As the spinal canal narrows, pressure is put onto the spinal cord, which can lead to neurologic symptoms affecting the arms or legs. If signals are blocked between the brain and the body, it can cause common symptoms such as weakness, imbalance, loss of hand coordination, numbness, and others. Nonsurgical options such as physical therapy and exercise are not effective for the neurological symptoms of cervical myelopathy , but in mild cases can possibly reduce pain. when the condition progresses or becomes severe, surgery becomes necessary. There are three common surgery options for the condition that are used in different situations.

April 1, 2014

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