Getting spinal surgery for degenerative disc disease can be scary. That is why your doctor recommends non-surgical options as a first-line treatment for your spine conditions. However, when non-surgical treatment options do not work, living with pain and discomfort can be impossible, and undergoing surgery may be the only treatment option left. Fortunately, minimally invasive
Read MoreSpinal Surgery
Minimally Invasive Back Surgery: What does recovery look like?
If you have a painful back condition that can be treated with surgery, you may be wondering what recovery is going to be like. Understandably, this is a major concern of patients considering surgery. Traditionally, back surgeries are performed as open procedures, which means bigger incisions, longer operating times, a higher complication rate, and lengthier
Read MoreWho is a candidate for minimally invasive spinal surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) allows surgeons to access the spine through smaller incisions. It is made possible by the use of a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end – called an endoscope – and specialized tools. The endoscopic technique is used to treat patients with complex spine disorders. MISS may
Read MoreWhat Should I Ask My Spinal Surgeon Before Undergoing Tumor Surgery?
Spinal tumors can grow inside the spinal canal or the bones that make up the spine. Depending on their type and grade, the tumors may spread to the vertebrae and surrounding tissues. Nonsurgical treatment options—such as medications and radiation therapy—are usually the first-line treatment for spinal tumors. However, if they are ineffective, your spinal surgeon
Read MoreBack Surgery and Obesity: What You Need to Know Beforehand
Obesity has long been thought to be a mere cosmetic problem; however, it is deemed by experts as a medical issue associated with a host of medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, and chronic back problems. That is to say, every major structure in your body bears the brunt of your excess weight, and
Read MoreWeighing the Risks and Benefits of Back Surgery
If you have suffered a back injury or have chronic back pain, your doctor may recommend back surgery to help you finally achieve pain relief. Back surgery is generally a much less serious surgery than it used to be, thanks to more advanced equipment and capabilities which enable your back surgeon to operate only on
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Spinal Tumor Surgery
A spinal tumor may be a primary tumor, which means it develops initially in the spine, or it may be metastatic from a tumor spreading from another part of the body. Either way, a skilled neurosurgeon can perform surgery to remove the spinal tumor. This is a very delicate operation because a severed or damaged
Read MoreAm I a Good Candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement?
Chronic back pain affects over 16 million adults. It is one of the most common conditions limiting human function. When conservative methods no longer work to relieve your pain, your doctor may suggest artificial disc replacement. During this procedure, your surgeon will replace one or two of your spinal discs with metal or plastic discs.
Read MoreCompression Fractures of the Spine
A compression fracture occurs when a vertebra (a bone in your spine) collapses. It can cause you a great deal of pain and other unpleasant symptoms. Fortunately, a doctor from Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery may offer you a non-invasive treatment or a minimally invasive spinal surgery to correct the problem and reduce your pain
Read MoreUnusual Headaches Should Never Be Ignored
Headaches are a common problem for many, and most people experience them at some point in their lives. But how do you know whether a headache is the result of tension, lack of sleep, dehydration, or something more serious? Not all headaches are harmless. For instance, a sudden, severe headache can indicate a brain aneurysm,
Read More