Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. It is treated by a team of doctors: physiatrists, neurologists, or pain management specialists for non-surgical care, and orthopedic spine surgeons or neurosurgeons for surgery. The Right Treatment for Spinal Stenosis Begins with the Diagnosis Spinal stenosis is treated by a...
Continue ReadingRecovery from anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) usually follows this pattern: 1 to 2 weeks of rest, a return to light desk work and driving in about 3 to 6 weeks, bone fusion over 3 to 6 months, and nerve healing that can continue for up to 12 months. Your timeline depends on your overall health, the complexity...
Continue ReadingRecovery from cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) typically takes 2 to 6 months. Most patients go home the same day or the morning after surgery, many return to desk work within about a week, driving is usually cleared in weeks 2 to 4, and most feel significantly better between weeks 4 and 8. Each patient heals at their own...
Continue ReadingThe human spine is made up of 33 “motion segments” divided into the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral areas. Motion-preserving surgery aims to keep these segments flexible. If you have been told you need spinal fusion, motion-preserving surgery may be an option. It treats the source of neck or back pain and keeps the treated segment flexible instead of...
Continue ReadingDisc replacement may help relieve pain from a damaged disc while preserving movement in your spine. That possibility can be encouraging when other treatments have not helped, but how do you know whether you qualify? Determining who is a candidate for artificial disc replacement requires looking at both the damaged disc and the surrounding spine. Your bone strength, joint...
Continue ReadingYou may feel ready for spine surgery and still hesitate over who should perform it. A referral gives you a name, but it may not tell you how often that doctor performs your operation or what their patients experience afterward. At Saadat Spine, Dr. Ehsan Saadat is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon whose practice includes disc replacement, minimally invasive...
Continue ReadingDisc replacement offers an appealing option: It treats a painful disc while preserving movement between the surrounding bones. That matters when you want to return to activities that back pain has taken away. But is disc replacement better than fusion? Comparing disc replacement vs fusion means understanding why a surgeon might recommend stopping movement instead. At Saadat Spine, we...
Continue ReadingBack pain after hours at a desk can raise concerns about whether your daily routine is harming your spine. Can you get a herniated disc from sitting? Yes, a herniated disc from sitting is possible, particularly when your job requires prolonged sitting and your disc has already weakened with age. Prolonged sitting can also make an existing one more...
Continue ReadingYour shift ends, but the pain follows you home. A burning leg, a tingling hand, or discomfort whenever you bend can leave you worried about your next workday. Recognizing herniated disc symptoms can help you decide when to seek care, though symptoms alone cannot confirm the diagnosis. At Saadat Spine, we help you understand what is causing your discomfort...
Continue ReadingTaking time away from work and relying on help at home can make the prospect of spine surgery feel daunting, even when you are eager for relief. As you compare minimally invasive spine surgery vs traditional surgery, you need to understand what each approach could mean for your recovery. At Saadat Spine, we help you understand your treatment options...
Continue Reading