Category Archives: Spine Surgery

At one time, robotic surgery was nothing more than something out of a science fiction story. It then became something that was only available to select patients because there were only certain places where robotic techniques could be used to perform spinal surgery. Today, it’s becoming more accessible to patients in need of various procedures […]

If you’ve been experiencing back or neck pain that’s not responding well to conservative treatments, you’ve probably had some discussions with your doctor or a spine specialist about surgery. Odds are good that such talks have included a mention of minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS), which is an increasingly common way to perform many decompression […]

Even with advances in technology and the increased use of minimally invasive techniques, spinal surgery still isn’t something you recover from the moment your operation is over. While the exact extent of your recovery will vary based on the type of procedure you had done, your overall health, and other circumstances, it typically takes several […]

You may not be thrilled about the idea of participating in regular physical therapy (PT) sessions. Even so, PT is a critical step in the recovery and rehab process following most types of spine surgery, even minimally invasive procedures. Still, many people start PT and then stop it when they feel better, and other spine […]

In a perfect world, all spine surgeries would be complication-free. However, this isn’t always the case, but you can take comfort in knowing that while there are certain points during the recovery period when complication risks are higher, such occurrences are rare. If spine surgery is in your immediate future, it can be helpful to […]

According to some estimates, medical experts have been making an effort to treat spine-related conditions as far back as 1550 B.C. Today, spine surgery is much more reliable and often performed with less-invasive techniques that reduce risks and recovery times. Even so, there are many factors to consider when deciding if surgery is right for […]

Spine-related symptoms that can range from mild to debilitating are sometimes caused by pressure on nerves around vertebrae in certain areas of the backbone. The problem is sometimes worsened by bone spurs, a sudden, traumatic injury, or spinal abnormalities. Initial attempts at relief usually involve anti-inflammatory medications, manual manipulations, and therapeutic techniques such as heat/ice […]

Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the population is personally familiar with spine-related aches and pains. Fortunately, most instances of back pain are temporary or manageable with conservative treatments such as medication and physical therapy. If you’ve reached a point where your spine has become unstable or nerves are being compressed, spinal surgery may become […]

You may be well prepared for the spine procedure you’re planning to have to eliminate or ease your symptoms. However, there’s more to spine surgery than the steps involved to stabilize your spine or take pressure off of your nerves. It’s just as important to know what you should be doing as you recover. To […]

Being advised to quit smoking before spinal surgery is a common recommendation, and there’s a certain logic behind this suggestion. First of all, some of the chemicals in cigarette smoke may affect anesthesia, and with fusion surgery there’s a higher chance of bone fractures and infection for smokers. There’s also compelling research suggesting kicking the […]