BLOG

TL;DR: The common problems after spinal fusion range from persistent pain and nonunion to nerve damage and degeneration at neighboring levels. This post explains what to expect, how often problems occur, and where motion-preserving options fit. Failure rates vary: Failed back surgery syndrome is generally estimated at 10% to 40% after lumbar surgery, and nonunion risk rises with smoking, age, and more levels fused. Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is the key long-term risk: One

TL;DR: Herniated disc symptoms range from a dull ache to shooting nerve pain, and recognizing them early is the key to getting the right treatment. This guide breaks down the most common signs by location, how to tell a disc problem from other back pain, and when it's time to see a spine specialist. Lower back (lumbar) herniations often cause sciatica: sharp, radiating pain, numbness, or weakness down one leg. Neck (cervical) herniations send pain, tingling, or grip weakness

TL;DR: Wondering who is a candidate for artificial disc replacement? This guide breaks down the criteria spine surgeons use to evaluate candidacy, the tests that confirm it, and the conditions that rule the procedure out. Good candidates have disc degeneration or a herniated disc at one or two levels, healthy bone and facet joints, and pain that hasn't improved after months of conservative care. Candidacy is confirmed with objective data: MRI, flexion-extension X-rays, CT, an