Causes of Pain in the Cervical Spine Region

A Texas-based spine surgeon, Dr. Jamie Gottlieb works at Orthopedic Specialist North Texas in Denton. Dr. Jamie Gottlieb draws on over a decade of experience in the treatment of spine injuries including pain-causing cervical spine traumas.

When there is a problem in the cervical region of the spine, a variety of symptoms can occur. Neck pain, which represents the majority of the symptoms, is the most definitive and direct consequence of a defect in the cervical region of the spine. According to studies, as many as 43 percent of neck pains resolve without specific treatments. About one-third of patients with neck pain however continue to suffer from moderate to severe symptoms.

Cervical or neck pain can be classified into three major categories as recommended by the Agency for Health Care Policy for Research. These are:

1. Pain from potentially serious conditions such as severe trauma to the spine or tumor.

2. Radicular pain that results from nerve root compromise.

3. All other pain syndromes that fall out of the aforementioned categories, including traumatic injury of musculoskeletal and discogenic nature.

 

Postoperative Recovery after Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

An accomplished spine surgeon, Dr. Jamie Gottlieb works at Orthopedic Specialists North Texas in Denton, TX. Dr. Jamie Gottlieb is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He has written extensively on lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

While spinal fusion surgery has successfully made it possible for the majority of patients to resume their normal activities and lifestyle after a traumatic or atraumatic spine injury, different factors play important roles in how quickly patients recover from the surgery.

Spinal fusion surgery involves placing a bone graft in between two adjacent vertebral bones to facilitate bone growth which comes to completion when the graft material and surrounding vertebral bones fuse together to appear like a single bone. This process may take up to 6 months. During recovery, it is critical that the operated area is left in place by avoiding or minimizing activities that require movement in the area which is why some patients wear braces.

On average, patients return home from the hospital or health care facility where the surgery is performed around 2 to 4 days after the surgery is done. How quickly a patient can resume activity depends on the level of physical effort the activity requires. For instance, less strenuous activities like driving and an office or sedentary job can be resumed safely a couple of weeks after the surgery (typically about 4 to 6 weeks).

If the fusion is performed on a single level in the spine, recovery is always faster in contrast to those that involve more than 2 vertebrae which may require extra weeks. Single-level lumbar fusion surgery recipients can return to all activities (including vigorous ones) 6 months after surgery.

Depression, smoking, obesity, osteoporosis, chronic illness, and long-standing opioid use before surgery can prolong recovery.

 

Lumbar Fusion Surgery - Preparing Home for Post-operative Convenience

An accomplished spine specialist, Dr. Jamie Gottlieb is a spine surgeon with Orthopedic Specialists North Texas in Denton, Texas. Dr. Jamie Gottlieb draws from nearly two decades of experience in spine surgery with a special dedication to perform a lumbar fusion surgery.

Lumbar fusion surgery is a common surgical procedure for low back pain. By stopping motion, the procedure stabilizes the segment of the lower spine region where abnormal movement is causing pain.

To hasten recovery from lumbar fusion surgery, patients must avoid bending or performing rigorous tasks as much as possible during the first few days after the surgery. Before going to the hospital for the surgery, patients should put the things that they use more regularly at home in heights where they can reach them without bending over. These include shoes, clothing, toiletries, kitchen utensils, and telephone. They should also identify a person who can assist them at home with chores.