Spine Talk

One of the most remarkable advancements in medical technology and spinal treatment occurred more than 20 years ago. At the request of the Federal Drug Agency (FDA), leading spine surgeons at selected practices around the United States began exploring the feasibility of replacing damaged vertebral discs with those that were man-made. An artificial disc is an elegant concept because it restores motion between the vertebral bodies instead of fusing them to other discs and locking them in place. However, improving on what Mother Nature “created” is always a challenge. Fortunately, the spine specialists at Texas Back Institute (TBI) were up for the task. To see the full article visit: www.texasback.com/blog #discreplacement #Artificialdiscreplacement #backpain #Neckpain #spinecare #richardguyer #scottblumenthal #jessicashellock #texasback

How to Enjoy Snow Skiing While Protecting Your Back and Neck If you’re planning a downhill snow skiing trip this winter, Dr. A.J. Rush III, an avid skier and orthopedic spine surgeon with Texas Back Institute, has some suggestions on how to enjoy the mountains while protecting your back and neck... Read the rest of the blog here:https://texasback.com/how-to-enjoy-snow-skiing-while-protecting-your-back-and-neck/

The arrival of Texas’ fall hunting season means the state’s million-plus licensed hunters are prepping for the moment they have been waiting for. They will be trudging through fields in search of dove and quail or sitting for hours in a deer stand awaiting the perfect buck. While enjoying the outdoors and the challenge of the hunt, some sportspeople could also be setting themselves up for spine problems. Read the full story here: https://texasback.com/blog/

Some may argue on the surface they don’t have much in common, as martial arts are typically used for self-defense or attack, where as medicine is used to heal and care for patients. But, when talking with Dr. Jessica Shellock, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and Dr. Sheena Bhuva, Physiatrist, about their life in medicine and the martial arts there is much more in common between the practices. Learn more at www.texasback.com

Read the full blog here: https://texasback.com/concern-about-concussions-at-the-draft-combine-what-nfl-players-have-taught-us/ Many athletes have sought expert medical attention from Texas Back Institute and two exemplary neurosurgeons, Dr. Akwasi Boah (https://texasback.com/find-a-physician/name/akwasi-boah/) and Dr. Thomas Kosztowski (https://texasback.com/find-a-physician/name/thomas-kosztowski/) These two neurological experts recently offered insights on the diagnosis and treatment of concussions. Every year, the National Football League (NFL) stages its annual “Draft Combine,” where highly regarded college players undergo medical examinations and perform drills for teams that might consider drafting them in the spring. This week-long event also serves as an opportunity for league officials and medical specialists to update the teams and the public on the state of prevention and treatment of NFL players from injuries suffered in games and in practices. Since the 2017 season, the league has instituted several rule changes and on-field concussion protocols. A spokesman for the NFL said that the league is particularly interested in whether key rule changes, such as banning the lowering of the helmet to initiate contact and eliminating blind-side blocks, has reduced injuries. In the not-so-distant past, having a concussion was perceived as an “occupational hazard” for professional football players and many players ignored the risks of these injuries. Now, athletes in all sports and at all levels - middle school, high school, college and professional, are concerned about the health risks of head injuries.

Read the full blog here: https://texasback.com/the-future-of-spine-surgery-will-involve-3d-printing/ There is an interesting intersection at work between the disciplines of mechanical engineering and orthopedic surgery. For example, spine surgeon Dr. Michael Hisey of Texas Back Institute earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from The California Institute of Technology. Of course, he then went on to medical school and specialized in orthopedic surgery, but his fascination with engineering continues to this day. This partially explains his interest in the 3D printing of medical devices. A Brief History of 3D Printing While it seems that 3D technology has just recently burst on the scene, in fact, it has been around since 1981. It was originally known as “additive manufacturing” and was invented by Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute in Japan. The first medical application of 3D printing occurred in 1999 when scientists at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine printed synthetic scaffolds of a human bladder and then coated them with the cells of human patients. The newly generated tissue was then implanted into the patients with little to no chance that their immune systems would reject them, as they were made of their own cells. The market for 3D printing is growing rapidly. One example of this growth is Essentium Inc., a Texas-based 3D printing company that is transforming additive manufacturing for use in a broad range of industries. Read the full blog here: https://texasback.com/the-future-of-spine-surgery-will-involve-3d-printing/

Dr. Scott Blumenthal (https://texasback.com/find-a-physician/name/scott-blumenthal/) joins the podcast to talk about Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery, how the technology has evolved since he helped bring it to the United States nearly 20 years ago, and what can be done for the small percentage of patients that may need a revision surgery. Find more information about Total Disc Replacement athttps://texasback.com/treatments/surgical-treatments/fusion/tdr/ Join us at: https://www.facebook.com/texasbackinstitute/ Follow the conversation: https://twitter.com/TexasBack Watch More at: https://www.youtube.com/texasbackinstitute

Read the Full story here: https://texasback.com/how-a-new-treatment-for-adhd-might-offer-relief-for-epilepsy/ There’s new hope for those who suffer from the debilitating condition of epilepsy. A minimally invasive procedure recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children holds promise for helping the 65 million people suffering from epilepsy. One of the neurosurgeons who helped evaluate this new treatment for the FDA is a member of the team of specialists at Texas Back Institute – Dr. Thomas Kosztowski. Do you or a loved one suffer from epilepsy? Have you seen symptoms of this condition and are concerned about treatment? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Kosztowski or other neurosurgeons at Texas Back Institute. Read the Full story here: https://texasback.com/how-a-new-treatment-for-adhd-might-offer-relief-for-epilepsy/

Dr Michael Hisey Talks Sciatica - Symptoms And Treatments by Texas Back Institute

Dr. Rey Bosita talks about Swimming And Diving Injuries and How to Avoid them. by Texas Back Institute

Read the full story here: https://texasback.com/why-this-texas-doctor-received-physician-of-the-year-honors-for-life-changing-work-halfway-around-the-world/ A selfless spine specialist at the renowned Texas Back Institute travels halfway around the world every year with a team of dedicated volunteers to Ethiopia to perform some of the most complex spine surgeries in the most challenging of circumstances. For his relentless pursuit of life-changing surgery to patients who are critically disabled with spinal deformities such as scoliosis, Dr. Ted Belanger was recently named 2018 Medical Missions.Org Physician of the Year. In typical fashion, Dr. Belanger was humbled by the international honor. “I was nominated by a colleague for this award for the work I have been doing for the last nine years,” Dr. Belanger said. “I have an annual mission to Ethiopia where I perform free spine surgeries, primarily for advanced spinal conditions and deformities such as scoliosis, and treatments for tuberculosis, traumas and infections. We have also been fortunate enough to bring some patients from Africa to the United States who needed more extensive procedures. “Since 2010, when we started this mission, we have done surgery on more than 125 patients in Ethiopia. Plus, we have transported five other patients to this country for procedures. “The committee from Medical Missons.Org felt that these actions qualified for the “Physician of the Year” award and I am humbled by their decision.” Read the full story here:https://texasback.com/why-this-texas-doctor-received-physician-of-the-year-honors-for-life-changing-work-halfway-around-the-world/

Dr. Rey Bosita, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute talks about herniated discs, and the symptoms that you need to watch for. What is a herniated disc? Between each bony vertebral body is a disc that acts as a shock absorber and a hinge. As we age, the disc becomes dehydrated, making it less supportive and more prone to injury. Even a healthy, well-hydrated disc can be injured. The disc is composed of the annulus, which is a tough tissue that makes up the outside of the disc. The nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance contained in the center of the disc. A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus breaks through the outer tissue. A herniated disc is very common and may or may not cause symptoms. Stretching or tearing of the annulus may result in back or neck pain. The discs are immediately in front of the spinal cord and exiting nerves, so when the herniated disc or protrusion compresses the spinal cord or nerves, leg or arm pain and numbness or weakness may occur. Find more here: https://texasback.com/conditions/herniated-disc/

Dr. Ted Belanger talks about Spinal Instability in this short, but informative podcast. Spinal Instability is described as excessive motion of vertebral bodies in relation to one another is considered spinal instability. Some motion is, of course, normal. Motion can be described as instability when the motion is significantly greater than that at adjacent levels. Spinal instability can be the result of an injury, degenerative process, tumor, previous surgery or congenital condition. Symptoms of spinal instability may include neck or back pain, nerve pain and muscle spasms. Find More here: https://texasback.com/conditions/spinal-instability/

Dr. Thomas Kosztowski Talks About The Common Causes Of Neck Pain by Texas Back Institute

View the full story here: https://texasback.com/are-you-taking-too-much-ibuprofen-for-your-constant-pain-the-answer-is-most-likely-yes/ Whether it is chronic or acute, pain affects the quality of life of millions of Americans every day. Pain varies in severity, based on its cause and other factors. It is felt when special nerves that detect tissue damage send signals to transmit information about the damage along the spinal cord to the brain. Literally, billions of dollars are spent each year by consumers who are trying to "interrupt" this signal with non-prescription, over-the-counter (OTC) medications. The Consumer Healthcare Products Association estimates that more than 2.9 billion retail trips are made each year for OTC medications and the average U.S. household spends about $338 per year on these non-prescriptive drugs. Among the most popular of these OTC medications are those that are used to treat pain These includes Ibuprofen, such as Advil® and Motrin ® and acetaminophens, such as Tylenol® View the full story here: https://texasback.com/are-you-taking-too-much-ibuprofen-for-your-constant-pain-the-answer-is-most-likely-yes/

Dr. Scott Kutz (https://texasback.com/find-a-physician/name/scott-kutz/) , a neurosurgeon at Texas Back Institute (https://texasback.com/treatments/surgical-treatments/fusion/tdr/spinal-cord-stimulation-scs/), treats hundreds of patients each year for back pain and has some first-hand experience with spine stimulation. “The original spine stimulators were developed in the 1960s,” he said. “However, the technology could not be used in a wide-spread fashion until the 1980s. This was because the pacemaker technology, which, like the spine stimulator, could be implanted and maintain electrical stimulation for a long period of time, improved at this time “Between the 1980s and 2010, the technology was relatively static. There was a certain recognized range of stimulation frequency that could be delivered to the dorsal column of the spinal cord. If the stimulation was delivered within those parameters, the patient would typically get a reduction of pain, particularly pain to the hips, buttocks, shoulders, some parts of the back, arms and fingers. “Unfortunately, some patients did not get good pain reduction from this type of stimulation. This could be due to the fact that they might have more pain centered in the neck, at the back of the head or in the lumbar spine area. In some cases, the patients would experience paresthesia with this stimulation, meaning they could feel this stimulation and for many that sensation was disagreeable. It was annoying to some patients, and this made it ineffective in coverage of the pain. “We now have high-frequency stimulation that cannot to be perceived by humans. Thus, when this stimulation is delivered, it still has effects on the nervous system and still interrupts pain delivery from those distal nerves up to the brain, but it is not perceived by the patient. This means the stimulation can cover deeper pathways within the spinal cord leading to better coverage of pain in the neck itself, the thoracic area (where the ribs attach to the spine) and the lumbar (lower back) area of the spine.” Using Stimulation Instead of Opioids The fact that this new version of spine stimulator is being used instead of opioids for treatment of back pain is good news for the medical community, which is concerned about their abuse. From a medical standpoint, how does spine stimulation mimic the effect of opioids for the treatment pain? “Actually, spine stimulation and opioids work differently on pain,” Dr. Kutz said. “Opioids don’t eliminate pain but rather they increase the tolerance of the mind to having pain. Most patients who are taking opioids say things like, ‘I can still tell that I hurt, but I just don’t care.’ “With spinal cord stimulation, there is an actual disruption of that pain signal coming up to the brain.” Visit Texasback.com/blog for the full story.

Read the full article at www.texasback.com/blog New Research: An Imaging Biomarker Could Change Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease There is promising news for millions of patients who suffer from lower back pain and disability caused by degenerative disc disease. Researchers in Hong Kong recently published their findings in the medical journal Spine. They found a novel imaging biomarker that seems to correlate to degenerative disc disease and lower back pain. While the researchers noted that much more investigation is necessary before this imaging protocol is used for diagnosing this painful condition, it has the potential of allowing spine surgeons to gain more insights without being forced to use more invasive testing. As a spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute (https://texasback.com/about-us/), Dr. Jessica Shellock (https://texasback.com/find-a-physician/name/jessica-shellock/) has diagnosed and treated hundreds of cases of degenerative disc disease and her insights about the condition sheds some light on the potential benefits of this research. What is Degenerative Disc Disease? Between each bony vertebral body is a disc (https://texasback.com/conditions/herniated-disc/) that acts as a shock absorber and a hinge. With aging, the disc becomes dehydrated, making it less supportive and more prone to injury. Even a healthy, well-hydrated disc can be injured. The disc is composed of the annulus, which is a tough tissue that makes up the outside of the disc and the nucleus pulposus, which is the jelly-like substance in the center of the disc. What causes these discs to degenerate? "Degenerative changes within a disc are physiologic," Dr. Shellock said. "This means that as our discs age, certain processes occur, including pathologic changes... Read the full article at www.texasback.com/blog

Dr. Kevin Ju, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Texas Back Institute talks about the difference in symptoms and treatment options for patients who suffer from Acute Back Pain and Chronic Back Pain. For more information visit: https://texasback.com/treatments/ Join us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/texasbackinstitute Or Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @TexasBack

For more info visit: https://texasback.com/treatments/surgical-treatments/decompression/ Dr. Kevin Ju, explains what decompression surgery is and who would be a good candidate. So, what is Decompression Surgery? Any surgery that relieves compression of the spinal cord or spinal nerves is considered to be decompression surgery. If the compression results from a disc herniation, the surgery is a discectomy. If the compression is because of a narrowed spinal canal that is placing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots, this surgery is a laminectomy. A laminectomy removes the back wall of the spinal canal to create more space for the spinal cord. Visit us at www.texasback.com Join us at Facebook.com/texasbackinstitute

Facet Joint PainAs a former collegiate golfer and current avid player, Dr. Michael Duffy, a spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute, is an excellent source for information on playing the game at a high level without succumbing to back injuries. As a student of the game and its players, he has excellent insights about the causes for the injuries to these two players and how amateur golfers can avoid them. “A lot of what’s going on today is due to the fact that golfers are better athletes than they were decades ago,” Dr. Duffy said. “They are swinging harder and creating more torque with the new, so-called ‘X-factor’ swing, and while this makes the ball travel farther, it can also cause serious injuries to the spine and back. See the full article here: https://texasback.com/is-there-life-after-back-injuries-for-these-two-young-golfers/