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Spine Surgery News & Advancements Blog

Carl Spivak, MD - Executive Spine SurgeryNews
By Staff Writer Pain, Surgery, Treatment problems

Is it common for the rod in a spinal fusion to break after 3 months?

It is not common for a rod to break at all, especially 3 months after surgery.  The rod is just a solid metal rod.  It is unlikely for the rod to be defective.  Factors that may lead to breakage of the rod include multi-level fusion (greater stress on the rod), very weak spine (often broken back places large forces across the rod), deformed spine requiring surgical correction (again places large forces across the rod), bent rod (may weaken the rod but is usually necessary to align the spine), smaller diameter rod (less strong but necessary at certain areas of the spine), large patient, too active patient or someone who falls or involved in an accident (increased forces across the rod).  Good Luck!

By Staff Writer Pain

Can a traumatic knee injury from falling down stairs cause L5-S1 disk herniation and nerve damage?

A knee injury does not usually cause L5-S1 disk herniation.  Likely you injured both the knee and back when you fell down the stairs.     The L5-S1 disk herniation may damage L5 and S1 nerve roots as they exit the spine.  These nerves travel though the pelvis and into the leg and foot to innervate multiple muscles.  L5 nerve root  injury causes weakness walking on your heals, bending your toes to your nose and numbness of the big toe.  S1 nerve root injury causes weakness walking tip toe and numbness in the little toes.    You may need treatment of your back and knee.  Good Luck!

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!

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