Lumbar Archives

L3 Spine (3rd Lumbar Vertebra)

The lumbar spine, comprising five vertebrae labeled L1 through L5, is critical in supporting the upper body, enabling movement, and protecting the spinal cord. The third lumbar vertebra (L3) holds significant importance due to its position and function within the spinal column. Understanding the anatomy and function of the L3 vertebra is essential for diagnosing … Continued

Degenerative Disc Disease Exercises

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a physiological breakdown of the intervertebral discs in the spine. Clinical studies have shown that disc degeneration, or the narrowing of at least one intervertebral space, is prevalent in nearly 60% of the population above 40 years of age(1). DDD can occur in the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. While … Continued

PRP for Herniated Disc, Bulging Disc, and Disc Protrusion

Dr. Pitts discusses PRP for Herniated Disc, Disc Bulge, and Disc Protrusion Transcript Hello, everybody. This is Dr. John Pitts of the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, where we are the leaders and inventors of much of the field of interventional orthopedics, which is basically treating and diagnosing musculoskeletal, orthopedic-type problems using injections and regenerative agents rather than … Continued

Coflex Implant: Complications to Know BEFORE This Procedure

Low back pain can be disabling and compromise one’s quality of life. Lumbar stenosis is one of those disabling back issues. But exactly what is lumbar stenosis? What is a Coflex Implant? How long does a Coflex Implant last? Let’s dig in. What is Lumbar Stenosis? Lumbar stenosis is narrowing of the central spinal canal … Continued

Do I Need Back Surgery Quiz

Low back pain can be disabling and erode your quality of life. What are the common causes of low back pain? What is lumbar fusion? Is lumbar fusion effective? Is there a “Do I need back surgery quiz?” to help navigate this issue? Let’s dig in. Do I Need Back Surgery Quiz Common Causes of … Continued

Patrick’s Test: Evaluation of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Specilaized doctor discusses the Patrick's Test in evaluating the sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Young Gymnast with Foot Pain Caused by Her Back?

The modern world of orthopedics consists of hyperspecialists who focus on treating injured athletes based on their individual broken and painful parts. So the knee doctor treats the athlete with knee pain, the foot and ankle doctor treats the athlete with foot pain, and the spine doctor treats the athlete with back pain. At the … Continued

Always Tightening Up Your ITB? You Could Have a Back Problem

Back pain and a tight ITB often go hand in hand…at least that’s our experience with about two-thirds of the patients we examine with back pain. In these cases, we find it best to treat not just the back problem but also the ITB. Why? We’ll explain in a moment, but first, let’s define the … Continued

Why a Back Fusion May Just Lead to More Fusions

Today we’re seeing more and more orthopedic surgeons fusing multiple back bones at once. Instead of a one-level lumbar fusion, which fuses two bones together, they’re doing two or three levels, which fuses three or four bones together. We probably don’t have to state the obvious here, but the more levels that are permanently joined … Continued

Why Diagnosing Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Early Is Critical

You might not be able to imagine your doctor as a patient, but doctors sometimes find themselves on the other side of the stethoscope. Our own Dr. Centeno is a good example of a doctor turned patient when it comes to diagnosing and treating degenerative spondylolisthesis. A degenerative condition, without intervention, will only worsen over … Continued