Spinal Fusion Pre-Op (Part 1/2)
(Part 1/2) Eliminating back pain isn't always a one way street. Although this patient had a lumbar endoscopy roughly a year ago, they later experienced sciatica, and then lower back…
Incorrect Spinal Plate Placement
Again, spine plate placement is important for long-term support and stability. This patient underwent a previous fusion surgery and now has a plate that is a little too high, along…
Pseudarthrosis: An Unsuccessful Spinal Fusion
It's unfortunate when a patient comes to see me for back pain, and I find that they have pseudarthrosis – when two or more bones do not successfully fuse together.…
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (Part 2/2)
(Part 2/2) For our second sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion, this patient has severe osteoarthritis of the SI joint. Today we're starting on the right joint and in a month, we'll…
Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (Part 1/2)
(Part 1/2) When I first started in spine surgery, having sacroiliac (SI) joint instability wasn't accepted as a potential condition. But times have changed, and today we're performing two sacroiliac…
This Is A Sign: A Modic Sign
This is a sign. A modic sign! Modic signs are visible on MRIs and signal inflammation, degeneration, or other changes in bone marrow which contribute to lower back pain and…
Anterior Fusion – Spinal Plate (Part 2)
Standalone implants are strong but when next to a fusion, they need to be even stronger. I inserted a spinal plate to add further strength and stability. See the difference?…
Anterior Fusion Surgery
No pain, no gain...unless it's bilateral arm pain as the result of a herniated disc, then it's a problem we need to address. In this scan you can see the…
Spine Plates and Spinal Fusion
When it comes to spine plates, size and placement are crucial. After a patient with a previous spinal fusion suffered disc herniations and horrific headaches, I examined the previous surgeon's…
Minimally Invasive Spine Fusion
Life is scary enough without severe back pain haunting you. In this case, my patient had a previously fractured L5 vertebrae that, due to adjacent segment degeneration, now needs fusion…
