Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease but a term used to describe the normal changes in the spine due to age. It happens throughout the whole spine but mostly in the lumbar discs as they have the most pressure on them throughout life. This is caused by the loss of fluid in the disc […]
Stem cells for Back Pain
Lately, I am seeing more and more advertisements on the use of stem cells to cure almost everything. This is concerning to me as the science (or the FDA) is not yet behind many of the treatments now being offered by many clinics and physicians. The FDA is now “cracking down” on many of these businesses for […]
Spine Technology. Is that all we Need?
I started my practice in 1993. Since that time, there have been significant technologic changes in medicine. Spine Technology has experience significant advances. The whole medical experience has changed. I think for the most part better, but some will argue differently. In the 1970’s-1980’s, patients were routinely admitted to the hospital for very simple procedures. […]
PTSD After the Accident
One unfortunate consequence of the high volume of automobile travel in the US is the number of accidents that result in personal injury and fatalities. It is thought that each year, approximately 1% of the US population (3 million people) will be injured in motor vehicle accidents. Let’s talk…. Most people are in minor crashes […]
Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Back Pain
So often we see patients who suffer from anxiety, depression or have extremely stressful lives. These patients often complain of neck and back pain, usually more severe than their testing would indicate. They are not malingering, nor are they exaggerating. They really feel this pain. Let’s talk…… The body’s reaction to stress varies with each […]
Minimally Invasive Discectomy vs Micro/Open Discectomy
We’ve all heard of “Minimally Invasive Discectomy” as it is used as a marketing ploy almost everywhere. Everyone has a different description of what minimally invasive actually is. Some consider MIS as surgery being done through small incisions, with less dissection, and therefore less pain, and faster recovery. With that criteria, many of the spine […]
