Month: January 2014:
Repeat Surgery After Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Traditionally, spinal surgery had a bad reputation. But, epidemiological studies have demonstrated efficacy of certain procedures. Recent analysis of the SPORT data indicates that for a matched population of patients with symptomatic disk herniations there are better long term outcomes for the surgical patient. Still, there is the constant fear of spinal surgery leading to additional […]
Whiplash, a spine surgeon’s perspective
Unfortunately, whiplash has automatic negative connotations to most people. I hope we can have a civil discussion about this very emotional, personal, and at times, controversial topic. Whiplash does have it orgins related to locomotion. It was first described as an “acceleration-deceleration” motion to the neck (Crowe, 1928) typically cause by a collision. In the 1980’s the […]
Is Trauma the Cause of Cervical Radiculopathy?
As a practicing orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, I am constantly asked about the cause of cervical radiculopathy. From the patients, I am asked ” Doc, do you know why I developed this pinched nerve in my neck?”. And, since we are now in this environment of medical cost evaluation, the insurance companies then ask ” Doctor, […]
