Nationally-recognized OSC Surgeons Pioneer Spine Care in Newport News
Category: Dr Jeffrey Carlson, MD.
Why does my Orthopaedist want me to get an MRI with contrast? (A web chat question)
Moderated by Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Contrast is just an easily interchangeable term for Gadolinium contrast medium or dye which is used most often with MR scans. This substance alters nearby water molecules so that they are more visible on an MR scan, enhancing total image quality. Contrast is valuable in that it helps… Read more »
When Can I Vape Again After Orthopaedic Surgery? (A Web Chat Question)
Moderated by Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD My answer is never. Use the break that your surgery afforded you as a great opportunity to quit your smoking habit for good. Smoking/vaping is very detrimental to healing after orthopaedic surgery especially as bone needs high levels of oxygen rich red blood cells to repair and mend after… Read more »
MRI FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions from our Webchat Feature)
Moderated by Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD How is an MR scan different from a CT scan? An MR scan uses a large electromagnet to image structures and soft tissues. It does so by creating a magnetic field and using computer generated radio waves to image water molecules in the part of the body being… Read more »
I Just Had Orthopaedic Surgery, so Why Does My Throat Hurt So Badly?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD The title of this article is a question that was asked recently by a patient over our webchat line that I thought would make a fantastic topic for discussion. I often hear this complaint from my patients as I am a spine surgeon and the requirements for spine surgery anesthesia are… Read more »
Physical Therapy After Spine Surgery
Cody Leeworthy PT, DPT Having a spine surgery used to be considered one of the scariest major surgeries a patient could have. Nowadays, with the skill of OSC spine surgeons, incredible advancements in surgical technique and pain management, OSC patients can go into our ambulatory surgery center in Newport News, VA and walk out several… Read more »
I’ve Returned to Work after a COVID-19 Furlough - Now My Back is Killing Me!
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Even though our unwelcome houseguest is still hanging around, many people who were unemployed, laid off or furloughed because of COVID-19 are now returning to work out of economic necessity. These folks are surprised to find that they are experiencing significant back pain, perhaps for the first time in their lives,… Read more »
Is Bicycling a Safe Exercise?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD As we pass through the summer heat, we start to think about fall outdoor activities to keep ourselves moving. Bicycling through the mountains, viewing the fall colors and enjoying the breeze sounds great. Please be safe! Even though a lovely bike ride is inviting, researchers at the Harvard Medical School evaluated… Read more »
Should I get my Spine Hardware Removed?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD As surgery advances and becomes more commonplace, more patients will have spinal hardware (i.e., screws, rods, plates) used to stabilize the bones of their spines. The hardware has great advantages over the older techniques of providing spine stability with an external brace. This difference can be equated to having surgery for… Read more »
Why Does my Lower Back MRI Look so Bad?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Patients can be very concerned with the words “degenerative disc disease” or “spondylosis” when used in the report sent from a radiologist’s reading of an MRI. These phrases and words are used synonymously with “arthritis”. Our spinal discs wear with time, just like brake pads on a car. This wear is… Read more »