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Dr. Bradley D. Ahlgren welcomes you to our blog and invites you to browse around for the latest news in orthopedic spine surgery and more.

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Back Surgery: The Timeline and Dos and Don’ts

Back pain is very common, but surgery is rarely necessary to relieve it. Most cases resolve on their own or with non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, medications, and massage. Doctors usually resort to surgery only if necessary to relieve chronic pain. Learn more about back pain, the general timeline when pursuing back surgery, and… 

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Managing Pain After Back Surgery

Experiencing pain following back surgery is normal and understandable as your bones, muscles, ligaments, and joints are manipulated during the back surgery to correct your problem. An orthopedic surgeon devises a pain control plan before the back surgery to decrease your suffering (pain), reduce complications, and enhance the overall results of your surgery. Understanding the… 

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What Are the Nonsurgical Options for Spinal Stenosis Treatment?

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), up to 11 percent of the population suffers from spinal stenosis – a chronic, degenerative condition that occurs when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves traveling through the spine. The condition is most common among people over the age of 50. The symptoms of… 

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Can I Solely Rely on Medications for Herniated Disc Treatment?

A herniated disc, otherwise known as ruptured, bulging, or slipped disc, is a spine condition that commonly causes neck, back, and leg pain. Surprisingly, most people don’t develop symptoms of a herniated disc. Those who develop symptoms get better on their own or with some home-care measures and nonsurgical therapies. Most people believe that only… 

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Can Disc Degeneration be Reversed?

Disc degeneration is a natural part of aging. So, just like you lose your vision with aging and your hair turns gray, you can develop disc degeneration disease, especially after the age of 40, even if you don’t experience symptoms. Now the question is, just like you can get lenses and dye your hair, can… 

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How Are Orthopedic Spinal Injuries Diagnosed?

Orthopedic injuries affect the bones, joints, muscles, and/or other supporting structures, including the spine. We don’t typically think of the spine as having joints, but it actually does have joints between each set of two adjacent vertebrae – enabling us to bend and twist our back and torso. With all of that bending and twisting,… 

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How to Prepare for a Back Surgery

Nonstop back pain can significantly interfere with your daily life. Your doctor may recommend back surgery if conservative (noninvasive) measures do not ease your symptoms. You may have lots of preconceived notions about back surgery, but rest assured that the procedure is much safer and less invasive than ever before. With proper preparation and your… 

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How Physical Therapy Helps In Herniated Disc Treatment

A herniated disc may disrupt your everyday life and prevent you from performing normal daily tasks. It may also keep you from working or playing sports since you need your back to support those movements. A back injury can also cause pain and weakness, so you should seek treatment as early as possible. Fortunately, you… 

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What Is Surgical Rehabilitation?

While the success of your surgery (especially of spine orthopedic surgeries) greatly depends on your surgeon’s skills, getting the best outcomes from the surgery also depends on what you do before and after the surgical procedure. According to research, surgical rehabilitation is what you must consider when scheduling surgery to improve your ability to recuperate… 

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How Is Lumbar Surgery Performed?

Lumbar surgery is effective for cases where more conservative treatments fail to provide adequate results. Surgery aims to resolve the underlying mechanical issues causing symptoms, such as slipped discs and bone spurs. While surgery can be expensive and may have a lengthy recovery time, it usually improves mobility and offers long-lasting pain relief. Let’s talk… 

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