Spine

Overview This surgery creates more space for a spinal nerve that is being compressed due to a herniated or degenerative disc.   Preparation In preparation for the procedure, you are placed in a face down position and anesthetized. The surgeon creates a small incision in your skin and gently …

Overview The facet joints are found at the back of spinal vertebrae and can become painfully irritated or inflamed. An injection can relieve inflammation and pain, helping doctors diagnosis the pain’s source.   Skin Numbed In preparation for the procedure, the physician injects local anesthe…

Overview This injection procedure is performed to reduce nerve swelling and inflammation to relieve low back and radiating leg pain.   Patient Positioning You lie face down with a cushion under the stomach area.  This flexes the back to expand the spine and allow the doctor easier access to …

Overview This injection treats painful nerve swelling in your cervical spine (neck), which can be caused by spinal stenosis or a herniated disc pressing on a nerve.   Preparation To begin, you lie down while local anesthetic is used to numb the injection site.   Placing the needle A nee…

Overview This is a two-part test of your nerves and muscles. The first part is a nerve conduction study, sometimes called an NCS or NCV (nerve conduction velocity). The NCS measures how well electricity moves through your nerves. The second part is a needle electromyogram (needle EMG), which reco…

Overview This procedure, which your doctor may call discography or discogram, helps to identify painful spinal discs. Here’s how it works. Preparation You will be relaxed but awake during he procedure.  You will not be put to sleep, so that you can give your doctor feedback during the discography…

Overview Spinal discs cushion the spinal bones (vertebrae) above and below them, and allow the spine to move in a variety of directions.  These disc have nerves that give the sensation of pain when the disc is injured or weakened.  This is called discogenic pain and is different than pain caused …

Overview Vertebral discs act cushion and absorb shock between spinal bones (vertebrae).  When discs lose fluid and height, they are said to experience degenerative disc disease.  Degeneration happens naturally over time as discs age, but injuries can speed up the degenerative process or make it m…

Overview This diagnostic scan takes x-ray images from many angles, combining them to show doctors  clear cross-section slices of your body parts.  A CT scan shows much more than a typical x-ray and depicts structures that MRIs are inadequate to image. Preparation You will need to remove your glas…

Overview Nerve roots in the cervical spine (neck) travel to the shoulders, arm, hands, and fingers.  A neck injury can compress or irritate a cervical nerve root, creating symptoms in the areas where that nerve travels. Causes There are three primary causes of cervical radiculopathy.  A herniate…