Approximately 80 percent of people will experience back pain at least once in their lives due to a variety of reasons, a very common reason of which is a herniated disc. A herniated disc is also referred to as a slipped or ruptured disc. With a herniated disc, the nucleus of the disc is pushed…
Bradley D. Ahlgren MD
When To Visit A Doctor For Arthritis
A lot of people don’t get diagnosed with arthritis until the condition has progressed for quite some time. The reason for this is arthritis symptoms can easily be mistaken as normal aches and pains. Most people choose to relieve symptoms on their own until the condition has progressed enough to cause chronic pain. If you…
Types of Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition caused by the deterioration of the spine, most often due to an injury or years of wear and tear. Spinal stenosis actually has three variations. The type of spinal stenosis you have depends on the location of the narrowing. Lumbar spinal stenosis affects the lumbar region, thoracic affects the region…
How to Prepare for Spinal Surgery
If you’re scheduled to have spinal surgery, there is a significant possibility that you’re a little worried about how it will turn out. One thing that can help you stay calm and relaxed is preparing for the surgery beforehand. With this in mind, here are some tips on how you can prepare for your spinal…
Treatments for Sciatica Pain
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…
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…
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…
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…