Tag: Surgery
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 …
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 …
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 …
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? …
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 …
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 …
