Mark W. McFarland, DO As a busy spine surgeon, I routinely perform Lumbar Spine Fusion surgery. In this article, I will discuss this procedure and how it is used to improve function and relieve pain in patients with certain spinal conditions. The lumbar spine is made up of five bone segments, called vertebra, which… Read more »
Category: Minimally Invasive Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery in the Era of COVID-19 – Arthroscopic Surgery
Boyd W. Haynes III, MD COVID-19 has caused unparalleled changes in our lives, in the way we work, play and even in the way we perform surgery. Because the safety of the patient and the surgical team are paramount, process changes have been occurring at a rapid pace within hospitals across the country. Some… Read more »
My Spine Surgery Was Cancelled due to Coronavirus – Now What?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Federal, state and local mandates regarding postponing elective surgery during the Coronavirus outbreak have caused many patients quite a bit of concern and frustration. Managing the logistics of your life around a planned surgery take a lot of time and effort. There are work, family, and social considerations, as well as… Read more »
The Top Two Causes for Heel Pain
Joel D. Stewart, MD As a busy foot and ankle specialist, I often see patients complaining of heel pain. Here, I’ll discuss the two most common reasons for heel pain and how they are treated. Plantar Fasciitis – The way I hear patients describe the pain they feel from Plantar Fasciitis is pretty much the… Read more »
Common Back Injuries
Mark W. McFarland, DO Did you know that back pain is the number one reason for which people seek medical attention? Having a healthy, non-painful back is essential to living and working well. Let’s discuss some common back injuries and how I treat them. Back Strain – One of the most common complaints I hear… Read more »
Will I Need Another Spine Surgery?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD As a fellowship trained spine surgeon, I see patients every day that have had spine surgery in the past but who are again facing worsening pain and dysfunction. When they had their initial surgery, they were told that this procedure would correct their current problem for a time, but they should… Read more »
Degenerative Disc Disease
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD There are some medical terms that confuse patients. There are some medical terms that mean the same thing. There are medical terms that we research on the internet and then find we are more confused than before doing research. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) seems to be one of these terms. On… Read more »
The Stinger: A Common Neck Injury in Football
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD In the spring, young men across America get mopey, starry-eyed and stare off into space, dreamily thinking of only one thing…WHEN is football season going to start? Well, sports fans, August is almost here and the pre-season NFL games will be starting soon, as will college games. With the advent of… Read more »
Does Cervical Spine (Neck) Surgery Work?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Patients ask me if surgery on the cervical spine (neck) will relieve their pain and disability. This isn’t an unusual question for those contemplating the potential outcomes of a surgical procedure compared to their current state of dysfunction. The considerations can be especially important for older patients who are losing their… Read more »
Should I have Back Surgery?
Jeffrey R. Carlson, MD Patients who are told they need spine surgery have many questions, and rightly so. They want to know about all of the risks, the expected downtime for recovery, any restrictions on movement and activity, and when they will start to see the benefits from having the surgery. Even with all the… Read more »