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spinal fusion complications years later

Is Pain After Spinal Fusion Normal? 

Doctors often describe pain after spinal fusion as “normal,” but this expectation warrants scrutiny. Such pain can signal complications, inadequate pain management, or issues with the surgical procedure itself. Normalizing pain may lead to patients ignoring serious symptoms, delaying necessary interventions and causing permanent injuries.  Understanding why pain persists and addressing it effectively is crucial … Continued
si joint instability

What is SI Joint Instability? Can It Be Fixed?

I’m an aging athlete with some SI joint instability. However, many patients have much more instability which can be disabling. So what is SI joint instability? How can it be treated? How does that intersect with my backcountry skiing? Let me explain. What is SI Joint Instability? Your pelvis has three joints. You have two … Continued
oblique muscle injury

Oblique Injury – Thoracic Spine Series

What is an oblique injury? I am and always will be a baseball fan, and my team, since I was in little league, is the Chicago Cubs. If you follow baseball, this past season for the Cubs was filled with great baseball the first half of the season followed by a collapse, which meant missing … Continued
lifting weights with back or neck pain

7 Ways To Lift Weights Safely With Back Or Neck Pain

Patients with back or neck pain often want to know if they can still work out and lift weights, and if so, how can they work out without doing further damage. You’ll be happy to know, lifting weights with back or neck pain is possible with some modifications, which we’re going to provide in just … Continued
coflex implant

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

Sacroiliac Joint Surgery

Sacroiliac Joint Surgery is commonly done to treat SI joint instability and pain. Does it have any complications? Is it the best solution for the problem?  In order to answer those questions, we need to start with the Sacroiliac Joint , or SI Joint, itself. What Is the Sacroiliac Joint? The sacroiliac joint is a … 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

Rib Fracture Surgery – Thoracic Spine Series

Rib Fracture Surgery – Can It Put You at Risk for Additional Fractures? Your Rib Cage Is Important Your rib cage is a vital area that protects the lungs and provides structure for the muscles that allow you to breathe. Rib fractures, which are surprisingly common, often result from some type of blunt force trauma … Continued

Upcoming Spine or Orthopedic Surgery? Did the Hospital Sterilize Instruments?

Spine and orthopedic surgery is associated with multiple risks which include bleeding, infection, failure and escalation in pain. Infection can be devastating requiring removal of an implant and repeat surgery.  Infection can also spread throughout the body with life threatening sepsis and serious infections such as hepatitis B, meningitis and HIV. Sterilization of surgical instruments … Continued

Consequences of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Spine surgery has lasting consequences, as it forever changes the lumbar anatomy and biomechanics.  It’s not like a bad haircut which will grow out over time.  The anatomical changes are permanent. The consequences of minimally invasive spine surgery are truly something to talk about directly. We have all seen the ads where a patient who … Continued