Sciatica pain stems from the body’s largest nerve, the sciatic nerve. The roots of the sciatic nerve are located in the lower back, specifically in the spinal cord’s lumbar section. The nerve extends down the lower legs, passing through the buttocks. The pain associated with the sciatic nerve can be felt in all of these…
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Questions to Ask Your Spine Surgeon
If you are seeking treatment for a spine condition that’s been causing you chronic back pain, you may benefit from talking to an experienced spine surgeon. The more questions you ask, the more confidence you will have in the doctor and in the procedure itself. The surgeon may even recommend minimally invasive treatments that don’t…
Tagged With: Bradley D. Ahlgren MD, Chronic Pain, Orthopedics, Spinal Pain, spine surgeon, spine surgery
What Is Cervical Disc Herniation?
How Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Different from Conventional Surgery?
Medical technological advances now enable more and more spine conditions to be treated with minimally invasive surgical techniques. These are generally much safer and require a shorter recovery time than conventional surgery. However, minimally invasive spine surgery isn’t always appropriate for all spinal conditions, and not everyone is a suitable candidate for it. Certain health…
What Causes Severe Spinal Pain?
Spinal pain is usually characterized by discomfort felt in the lower back and neck region. The pain can become so severe that you are unable to continue with your day-to-day activities, and yet sitting down or lying down doesn’t always help either. Severe back pain is so common worldwide that it is one of the…
Responsibilities of an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Many orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating a certain area of the body or type of condition. They may focus on sports injuries, arthritis injuries, inherited (congenital) disorders, back issues, and more. An orthopedic spine surgeon specializes in issues that affect the back, and they can offer both nonsurgical and surgical treatment to help the patient…
Filed Under: Spine Surgery
Common Types of Spine Surgeries
If you have been experiencing chronic back pain or feeling consistent discomfort in your spine, you might be considering spine surgery. Spinal pain, especially in the lumbar region (lower back) or the cervical region (neck), can be debilitating. Approximately half of all working Americans report experiencing back pain at least once a year, and it…
Is Spinal Fusion Surgery Safe?
Spinal fusion is surgery that permanently connects two or more vertebrae together in your spine. It strengthens and stabilizes that segment of the spine and prevents any movement between them. It is recommended when motion is the source of pain in that part of your spine. Spinal fusion surgery may be recommended to treat conditions…
Filed Under: Spine
What Causes Back Pain?
Almost everyone will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Although it could occur anywhere in your back, it will most likely affect the lower back. Back pain can be acute, stemming from a fall or minor injury and be short-lived, or chronic, caused by a serious injury or condition and lasting for…
Why Should You See a Pain Management Physician?
Chronic pain is a prevalent problem in the United States, largely because we’re living longer and longer. More than 100 million Americans say that their constant pain impacts heavily on their daily life and greatly affects their overall well-being. If chronic or intermittent pain is regularly impacting your life, it may be time to seek…
Filed Under: Pain Management
