Welcome to the Patient Education Library of Bradley D. Ahlgren, MD
We invite you to explore our comprehensive list of resources and educational materials designed to help teach you about any spinal condition you may face or treatment you may undergo. Simply choose a topic below to learn more.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your condition or treatment, please feel free to contact Ahlgren Spine in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, or Lapeer, Michigan at (248) 215-8080. To request an appointment, use our secure online appointment request form.
This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation, examination, or the medical advice of your doctor. This information should not be relied upon to determine a diagnosis or course of treatment.
Orthopedics A-Z
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Did You Know?
Orthopedic surgeons perform an average of 32 orthopedic procedures each month, with spinal fusion or re-fusion the second most frequently performed procedure.
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Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement
Degenerative disc disease is a common source of neck pain. It is a condition that causes the discs in the spine to deteriorate or break down. Artificial cervical disc replacement can be an alternative to spinal fusion surgery (ACDF) for ... Read More
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Artificial Lumbar Disc Replacement
Degenerative disc disease is a common cause of chronic low back pain. It is a condition that causes the discs in the spine to deteriorate or break down. Artificial lumbar disc replacement can be an alternative to spinal fusion surgery ... Read More
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Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease - Spinal Cord and Nerve Compression
Cervical degenerative disc disease is a condition that can compress the spinal cord and nerves in the neck. Intervertebral discs are shock-absorbing pads located between vertebrae, the small bones that make up your spine. Aging can cause the discs to ... Read More
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Cervical Spondylitic Myelopathy - Spinal Cord Compression
Cervical spondylitic myelopathy is a condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck. It is the most common spinal cord disorder in the United States. Cervical spondylitic myelopathy most frequently occurs in adults because of degenerative changes in the ... Read More
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Degenerative Disc Disease - Spine Degeneration
Degenerative Disc Disease is a condition that causes the intervertebral discs in the spine to deteriorate or break down. Intervertebral discs are the shock-absorbing pads located between your vertebrae. The vertebrae are the series of bones that make up your ... Read More
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Epidural Injections - Low Back (Lumbar)
Epidural injections are a non-surgical treatment option for low back (lumbar) pain and pain radiating into the legs. The procedure involves delivering pain relieving medications directly to or near the source of the pain in the spine during a short ... Read More
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Epidural Injections - Neck (Cervical Transforaminal Steroid Injection)
Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections are a non-surgical option to ease pain in the neck, shoulder and upper extremity. The neck is a vulnerable part of the spine and is susceptible to injury and degeneration. A variety of conditions can ... Read More
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Epidural Injections - Upper Back (Thoracic)
Epidural injections are a non-surgical treatment option for upper back (thoracic) pain. The procedure involves delivering pain-relieving medications directly to or near the source of the pain in the spine during a short outpatient procedure. Epidural injections can be very ... Read More
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Herniated Disc - Pain Management
A herniated disc, also called a “ruptured” disc, is a common source of neck or lower back pain. Discs are cushion-like pads that are located between the series of small bones that make up the spine. A herniated disc occurs ... Read More
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Herniated Disc Cervical/ACDF - Slipped Disc in the Neck
A herniated or “ruptured” disc is a common source of neck pain and arm pain. Discs are the shock-absorbing pads that are between vertebrae, the series of small bones that make up your spine. Your cervical spine is located in ... Read More
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Laminaplasty- Cervical Spine - Pain Management
The cervical spine is composed of a series of small bones in your neck. Your spinal cord is located in an opening inside of the bones. The spinal cord and spinal nerves exchange information between your brain and body. Certain ... Read More
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Low Back Pain
The vertebrae in your lower back are larger than in any other part of your spine. Vertebrae are the series of bones that align to form your spine. The spinal section in your lower back is called the lumbar spine. ... Read More
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Lumbar Discectomy
The regions of the spine are defined by their vertebral curvature and function. Vertebrae are the bones that align to make up your spine. The lumbar spine is located in your lower back. The main function of the lumbar spine ... Read More
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Lumbar Radiofrequency Neurotomy - Pain Management
Lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy (facet rhizotomy) is used to treat nerve pain that originates in the spine joints of the lower back. Lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy is useful for people that experienced relief following nerve blocks to the area. The procedure “turns ... Read More
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging procedure that produces very detailed pictures of internal body structures. It is a non-invasive method that allows doctors to check for abnormalities and diagnose medical conditions, such as blood clots, tumors, and orthopedic ... Read More
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Minimally Invasive Lateral Access Spine Surgery
In the past, spinal fusion surgery meant large incisions, muscle detachment and lengthy recoveries. Innovations in spine surgery instruments and surgical techniques provide a much more pleasant experience for patients requiring spine surgery. Minimally invasive lateral access spine surgery (lateral ... Read More
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Minimally Invasive Posterior Fusion Spine Surgery
Spinal fusion surgery is used to secure two bones together in the spine for people with back pain or spine instability. Traditional spinal fusion surgeries required a large incision, muscle stripping, and lengthy hospital stays. Advancements in spine surgery have ... Read More
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Neck Pain
The neck is a very vulnerable part of the spine. It is susceptible to injury. Muscle, ligament, nerve, and spine injuries are common causes of neck pain. Poor posture and “wear and tear” can also cause neck pain. Degenerative diseases, ... Read More
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Pediatrics - Scoliosis, Curvature of the Spine
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A healthy spine has natural front to back curves. Scoliosis is a condition that describes side to side curvatures of the spine, which often also involves rotational deformities. Some people are born ... Read More
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Percutaneous Disc Nucleoplasty
Intervertebral discs are cushion-like structures that are located between the bones that make up the spine. Under certain conditions, the discs can bulge and cause back pain. Percutaneous disc nucleoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to reduce the pressure inside ... Read More
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Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy is a symptom rather than a disease in itself. It occurs when nerves are damaged resulting in pain and loss of function, such as motor movement or the sense of touch. Peripheral neuropathy commonly develops in the longest ... Read More
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Physical Therapy: An Overview
An injury, illness, chemotherapy, bed rest, inactivity, or disease may change the amount of control that you have over moving your body. Alterations in your health status may result in poor endurance, decreased muscle movement, paralysis, and loss of balance, ... Read More
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Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy is a cutting-edge procedure that is revolutionizing the field of orthopedic medicine. PRP therapy is a new treatment that relieves pain and promotes long lasting healing of musculoskeletal conditions. PRP Therapy uses components of the body’s ... Read More
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Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the thickest and longest nerve in your body. The sciatic nerve extends from your lower back down to your feet. If the sciatic nerve is compressed or inflamed, a painful condition called Sciatica can result. Symptoms ... Read More
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Scoliosis - Curvature of the Spine
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. A healthy spine has natural front to back curves. Scoliosis is a condition that describes side to side curvatures of the spine, that often also involve rotational deformities. Some people are born ... Read More
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Spinal (Lumbar) Fusion/Lumbar Spinal Stenosis - Pinched Nerves in the Back
The low back is a common place to experience pain. This area of the back is called the lumbar spine. The main function of the lumbar spine is to support the weight of your upper body. The joints of the ... Read More
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Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) for Pain Relief
Introduction Spinal cord stimulation is a pain relieving treatment for chronic back pain. Spinal cord stimulation can be useful for some people that have failed other forms of treatment. The stimulator is a small device that is surgically placed beneath the ... Read More
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Spinal Stenosis
The lower back is a common place to experience pain and discomfort. The lumbar spine is located in your lower back. The bones align to form the spine. Aging, arthritis, and degenerative conditions can cause the bones to change shape and ... Read More
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Spondylolisthesis - Slipped Vertebrae
Small bones, called vertebrae, align to form the spine in your back. A healthy spine supports the body, while allowing movement. Spondylolisthesis occurs when age or injury causes a vertebra in the lower back to slip forward and out of ... Read More
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Spondylolysis - Stress Fracture of Spine- Pain Management
Adolescents that participate in high impact sports and adults with physically demanding jobs have the greatest risk of spondylolysis, a type of stress fracture in the lower part of the spine. Spondylolysis may or may not cause symptoms, such as ... Read More
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Spondylolysis - Stress Fracture of the Spine
Spondylolysis is a term to describe a stress fracture that occurs in the vertebrae of the lower spine. Vertebrae are the series of bones that make up your spine. Spondylolysis can result from excessive and repetitive forces during ... Read More
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Thoracic Facet Radiofrequency Neurotomy - Upper Back
Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy (facet rhizotomy) is used to treat nerve pain in the upper back after other forms of treatment have failed. The procedure “turns off” the specific nerve that carries information about pain. The treatment provides pain relief for ... Read More
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Ultrasound Therapy - Pain Management/Rehabilitation
Ultrasound therapy is used to minimize muscle pain and movement dysfunction. Therapeutic ultrasound uses sound waves to deliver deep heat to the treated tissues. The treatments may help reduce stiffness, swelling, and pain, increase circulation, and promote pain-free movement. Ultrasound ... Read More
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X-Rays
X-rays use radiation energy to create images of internal body structures. X-rays are a non-invasive procedure, meaning that the body does not have to be surgically opened to see a bone or tissue. X-rays are used to help diagnose a ... Read More
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This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.
The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.
