Articles under General

Adult spinal deformity is a common medical issue in the United States. Specialists find themselves increasingly facing large numbers of older patients with spinal problems. As Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine stated, “Spinal deformity is becoming more common as adults 55–64 years of age are the fastest growing proportion of the U.S. population. As the percentage of elderly in the United States accelerates, more patients are expected to present with painful spinal conditions, potentially requiring spinal surgery.” Read More »

Before you get into the details of non-operative treatment for scoliosis and the surgical options for this condition, it’s best to touch briefly on just what it is. The dictionary definition: abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. This sideways curvature often occurs during a child’s growth spurt before they reach puberty. The condition may have specific causes, such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, but the cause of most scoliosis remains unknown. Read More »

Team Rehabilitation Physical Therapy will be hosting a Work Comp educational dinner event on Cervical Lumbar Spine. The Spine Center’s Chris Bergin, MD and Steven Fineberg, MD will be in attendance. Read More »

The Spine Center has been actively monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on our patient care and office protocols. We are committed to continuing to provide excellent care for our patients in an environment that is safe for both patients and our staff. In conjunction with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, we have created and implemented a strategic plan using best practices to minimize the risk of person-to-person COVID-19 exposure in our practice. Our offices will remain open and we are committed to making our offices one of the safest places you can visit outside your home. Additionally, we are offering Tele-Health appointments for those who would like to be seen by one of our Providers in the comfort of their own home.

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A fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, Dr. Steven Fineberg is the newest surgeon to join The Spine Center team. An accomplished physician and researcher, he brings a depth of both practical and academic knowledge to the practice. Read More »

“Idiopathic” is a big word that describes a very simple concept. Merriam-Webster notes that it combines the Greek word “idios” (i.e. “one’s own”) and the suffix “-pathic” (a root that suggests disease or dysfunction). In short, an idiopathic disease is one that springs up spontaneously — one for which medical science and professionals have no agreement on its origins.  Read More »

“Your child has scoliosis.” Many parents fear hearing these words after a routine school exam or pediatrician’s appointment, and they have a good reason for feeling that way. Scoliosis has a reputation as being a child’s disease. Indeed, the National Scoliosis Foundation notes that approximately 30,000 children will find themselves fitted for a scoliosis brace each year. Read More »

A microdiscectomy is a procedure used to remove all or part of a herniated disc when damaged discs are causing pain, numbness, and weakness in a patient’s legs and back. Now considered the “gold standard” treatment for removing herniated lumbar disc tissue, a microdiscectomy procedure is an ultra-precise method that requires only a tiny incision – causing minimal disruption to surrounding healthy tissue.   Read More »

Being pregnant should be a joyous time filled with many unforgettable experiences – like feeling the flutter of your baby moving around inside your tummy. And although aches and pains are to be expected while pregnant, experiencing persistent back pain may not have been what you had in mind when you first envisioned your pregnancy timeline.   Read More »

Surgery can make anyone feel apprehensive, and if a doctor from The Spine Center or another physician from elsewhere has recommended a discectomy, you probably have a lot of questions. Why do I need a discectomy? What does the procedure entail? Is it a major surgery? How much downtime will I need afterward? Read More »