Articles under General

Although kyphosis is more common in the thoracic spine, the condition can also affect the lumbar and cervical spine. Cervical kyphosis – also known as “military neck” – occurs when the cervical spine is straight or curves inward rather than its natural curve towards the back of the body. Read More »

Cervical kyphosis, also known as “military neck,” occurs when a person’s cervical spine is straight or curves towards the front of their body rather than its natural curvature towards the back. In significant cases, individuals with cervical kyphosis may experience chronic pain, neurological symptoms, and disability. If you have recently been diagnosed with cervical kyphosis, the good news is that surgical and nonsurgical treatments are available to restore the shape of your spine and relieve your symptoms. But can you reverse cervical kyphosis? Read on to learn what the experts say.  Read More »

Unlike several decades ago, many spine-related issues can now be corrected using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Minimally invasive procedures provide numerous patient advantages over traditional surgery, including less post-operative pain, shorter recovery times, negligible damage to surrounding tissues and muscles, and – most importantly – better outcomes. What follows are 13 of the more common minimally invasive surgeries that the board-certified surgeons at The Spine Center now offer.  Read More »

People experience chronic pain when their body’s normal response to a neck or back injury lasts longer than it should. While no longer protecting the body from injury, this persistent pain becomes lifestyle-altering in and of itself. If not properly treated, chronic pain can lead to other physical, mental, and emotional health problems, including medication overuse. As a newer therapy alternative, patients who are non-responsive to conventional chronic pain management treatments often find relief by undergoing spinal cord stimulation surgery. Read More »

Deciding whether to have spine surgery or not is never easy. To complicate matters, there is a lot of misinformation about spine surgery out there, including various myths circulating on the Internet. Deciphering between fact and fiction is essential when your health and well-being weigh in the balance. What follows are several common fallacies regarding spine surgery, along with ways to determine if it’s the right decision for you.  Read More »

A normal spine has a slight C-shaped curve in front of the body (neck area) and an opposite-facing, “lordotic” curve in the back. The term kyphosis refers to any spinal curvature that bends excessively outwards, away from the body’s center, including any excessive curvature that affects the cervical spine (neck). Read More »

Millions of Americans live with spinal deformities, including all age groups. A spinal deformity affects the curve or alignment of your spine, typically in a slight “S” curve, or it can alter the straight alignment of the spine. Spinal deformities can develop as we age, be caused by accidents, or are present at birth (congenital deformity). When left untreated, spinal deformities can lead to pain, mobility issues, and neurological problems.  Read More »

The spine is an essential part of your body. Without it, you could not keep yourself upright or stand up. It gives your body structure and support and allows you to move about freely or bend with flexibility. Your spine also protects your spinal cord, the column of nerves that connects the brain with the rest of your body so that you can control your movements. Without a spinal cord, you could not move any part of your body, nor could your organs function. Maintaining your spine’s health is one of the keys to enjoying an active lifestyle.   Read More »

For better or worse, physical pain is a part of life as we grow older. Pain is our body’s way of communicating that something is wrong and that it needs attention. When ignored, too much pain can cause further health problems like anxiety, depression, and poor mobility. Back pain resulting from spinal stenosis is no exception. Depending on the severity of the condition, non-surgical treatments can often be effective at managing the pain.   Read More »

Spinal intervertebral discs are the body’s “shock absorbers,” allowing the back to be strong, highly flexible, and resilient. Disc degeneration and herniation are common back problems leading to surgery. A microdiscectomy is an outpatient surgical procedure performed under anesthesia to remove all or part of a herniated disc.   Read More »