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Year: 2012

Carl Spivak, MD - Executive Spine SurgeryNews2012
By Staff Writer Pain

I have really bad low back pain. Will it get worse in the future?

Back pain can originate from the bones, disks, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves and spinal cord and rarely other organ systems.  Sometimes the exact cause cannot be determined.  Back pain can improve, stay the same or worsen over time depending on the cause.  It is difficult to predict the future of your pain without a detailed assessment.  I recommend evaluation by your primary care doctor.  The initial treatment for most causes of back pain is physical therapy.  If you fail physical therapy then I recommend consultation with spine surgeon for further workup and treatment.  Please contact Executive Spine Surgery for more information.  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Pain

Upper back pain around the left shoulder and hurts to breath.

You may have strained your back and/or shoulder, but the breathing problem could be from your heart or lungs.  I would recommend seeing your doctor.  Most people with back pain  benefit from rest, anti-inflammatories (if you can take them – check with your doctor) and muscle relaxer followed by physical therapy .  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Treatment problems

Back fusion with titanium screws and rods.. IF rod breaks, can screw go through vertebra into vein and intestines?

It is possible for rods and screws to break, but I have never heard of breakage causing a pedicle screw to be pushed (or screwed) through the vertebral body into the great vessels (vena cava, aorta, etc.) or intestines.  The screws are much more likely to be pulled out of the spine then push through the spine.  The screws can break inside of the vertebral body.  I hope this helps answer your questions.  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Scoliosis

What kinds of congenital disorders cause scoliosis in infants?

Scoliosis in infants may occur when there spine was not formed correctly.  This most commonly happens when one side of the side grows while the other side does not.  This can happen in a condition called HEMIVERTEBRAE when one side of the spine does not exist or UNILATERAL BAR when multiple vertebrae are fused together on one side.  In both cases the normal side grows while the abnormal side does not (or grows less) forming a curve.  I hope this information helps.  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Pain, Relief, Treatment Options for Back Pain

Lower back problem. GP, chiropractor, or specialist?

If you have intermittent back pain you could start with either.  If you have other symptoms such as constant, worsening back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, bowel and bladder problems, weight loss, fevers, chills, night sweats, significant back injury or history of cancer, then you should start with primary care doctor, pain doctor or spine surgeon.  If you do not get relief from the chiropractor then I would recommend seeing a medical doctor, preferably spine specialist.

By Staff Writer Sciatica, Spinal Stenosis, Treatment Options for Back Pain

One inch incision for Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Sciatica, etc.

Spine surgery done through an inch or smaller incision is called minimally invasive surgery.  This may be done by a neurosurgeon who specializes in minimally invasive surgery.  The procedure involves placing sequentially larger tubes in the back to dilate and separate the skin, muscle and soft tissues to get access to the spine.   Click to Read More on treatment options.  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Spinal Stenosis

What are treatments for Spinal Stenosis.

The traditional treatment was an open laminectomy.  Unfortunately this causes significant muscle and bone damage and may lead to a weak back, worse back pain and instability (the back falling apart), never mind the significant scar tissue.  Today there are new minimally invasive options for spinal stenosis including minimally invasive tubular decompression (METRx) , X-Stop, spinal clamp and MILD procedure.  There will soon be new endoscopic decompression procedures developed for spinal stenosis.     Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Pain, Scoliosis, Surgery, Treatment Options for Back Pain

Does scoliosis cause other health problems?

If scoliosis is severe it can affect your heart, lungs, gut, spinal cord and nerves producing a large range of problems from difficulty breathing to difficulty walking.  Fortunately this is not common.  Many cases of scoliosis respond to conservative treatment (such as bracing) and do not require surgery.  Please see my blog posting Does scoliosis cause pain? For more information please contact Dr. Carl Spivak at Executive Spine Surgery.  Good Luck!

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