Lumbar spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that causes affected or damaged vertebrae in the lower back to grow together as a single unit, by removing the cushioning discs between them. This prevents spinal movement between the vertebrae and reduces pressure on the nerves, helping to reduce pain, stop the formation of bone spurs and potential nerve injury. It improves the stability of the spine. During a spinal fusion procedure, the surgeon places bone or an artificial bone-like material ... [Read More]
Lower Back Pain
Lumbar Fusion for Back Pain
A lumbar spine fusion is a type of back surgery designed to treat lower back pain and leg pain as a result of degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, stenosis, or other spinal injuries. The fusion of vertebrae in the spine is performed to strengthen and stabilize the fused segment of the spine, thus decreasing or eliminating the back pain the spinal instability may have caused. This surgery is called a "spine fusion" because it involves placing small morsels of bone either in the front ... [Read More]
What is a Kyphoplasty?
Kyphoplasty is an augmentation or strengthening of vertebrae that have suffered compression fractures. This minimally invasive procedure alleviates pain, stabilizes the bone, and restores some or all vertebral height that was impacted by the fracture. A catheter with a balloon-like device creates space in the vertebra, and a special cement-like substance is injected to fill it. Hence it is also known as a “balloon kyphoplasty.” Kyphoplasty can help patients with spinal fractures due to ... [Read More]
Who Should I Go to for My Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a disease or a diagnosis. It is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. The term is used to describe nerve pain, tingling, numbness and weakness that travels from the lower back, across the buttocks, down the back of the thighs to the calves and feet. It occurs when the sciatic nerve – the longest in the body – gets compacted or aggravated. Common conditions that cause sciatica include herniated lumbar discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, ... [Read More]
