Conditions of the spine and neck
Cervical Disc Herniation
Arm pain from a cervical herniated disc results when the herniated disc material “pinches” or presses on a cervical nerve, causing pain to radiate along the nerve pathway down the arm.
Lumbar Disc Herniation
As a disc degenerates, the inner core can leak out through the outer portion of the disc – this condition is known as a herniated disc.
Cervical Spondylosis with Myelopathy
Cervical spondylosis with cervical myelopathy, commonly referred to as cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), refers to impaired function of the spinal cord caused by degenerative changes of the discs and facet joints in the neck.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the one below it. The most common symptoms are lower back pain or leg pain that limits activity level.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis
Isthmic spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebral body slips forward on the one below it because of a small fracture in a piece of bone that connects the two joints.
Spinal Stenosis
There are two types of spinal stenosis: lumbar stenosis and cervical stenosis. While lumbar spinal stenosis is more common, cervical spinal stenosis is often more dangerous.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is one of the most common causes of low back pain and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis affects children between 10 and 18 years old. There are many theories as to why scoliosis develops, but the root of the condition has yet to be discovered.
Scheurmann’s Kyphosis
Scheuermann’s kyphosis is a condition in which the normal roundback in the upper spine is increased.
Vertebral Compression Fractures
Vertebral compression fractures generally occur from too much pressure on a weakened vertebral body.
Muscle Strain and Sprain
People often think a muscle strain is the same as a sprain, but they’re actually different injuries.
Procedures to alleviate or reduce pain and discomfort in the spine and neck
Cervical Total Disc Replacement
An alternative to the traditional surgery of discectomy and fusion for cervical disc herniations is Cervical Total Disc Replacement.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Spine surgery for a cervical herniated disc is generally very reliable and can be done with a minimal amount of postoperative pain and unwanted after effects.
Epidural Steroid Injection (ESI)
Epidural injections are used to treat radicular pain caused by nerve irritation. This type of pain is usually caused by herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Cervical Laminaplasty
Cervical laminaplasty involves an approach to the spine coming from the back of the neck.
Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Artificial cervical discs accomplish the same objectives as traditional decompression and fusion surgery in terms of providing pain relief and stability, but with fewer drawbacks.
Lumbar Microdiscectomy
A microdiscectomy is a surgical procedure designed to take the pressure off the nerve root and to provide the nerve with a better healing environment.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
The anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is performed by approaching the spine through the abdomen instead of through the lower back.
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF)
LLIF is an approach to spinal fusion in which the surgeon fuses the low back using a surgical approach from the side rather than from the front or the back.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
Spinal fusion (such as a TLIF) is a surgical technique to stabilize the spinal vertebra and the disc or shock absorber between the vertebra.
Surgery for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis is rarely needed but may be considered if the patient’s pain is disabling or if they can be more active with less pain.
Surgical Treatment for Spinal Stenosis
Anatomical and clinical clarification is needed if spinal stenosis surgery is contemplated, to make sure that one surgical procedure will address all components of that particular case.
Adult Stem Cell Therapy
The use of a patient’s own adult stem cells is a safe and effective treatment option for back, neck and spine pain.
Spine and neck patient case studies
Scoliosis
A 15-year-old girl with a progressive right thoracolumbar scoliosis which had become painful and resulted in an unsightly deformity of her back.
Alana Andersen
Alana suffered from scoliosis. The pain and strain of this condition made everyday tasks, including sleeping, difficult.
Degenerative Disc Conditions
For most of his adult life, Bob suffered with chronic neck and back pain, numbness and tingling in his left arm and hand, and sciatic pain down his left leg.