There are some indications for spinal fusion: degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, fracture and tumor. Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, Spine Surgeon with Baptist Health South Florida, explains in cases of tumors, after they are removed, it creates instability and it’s reasonable to do a fusion surgery where physicians place screws above and below and…...

Dr. Ligio Tavarez, Pediatric Emergency Physician with Baptist Children’s Hospital, explains it is important to take the kid to the doctor after a head or neck injury if there is loss of consciousness, if they are talking nonsense or repeating themselves, if parents see change in behavior, and if there is repeated vomiting. Other signs…...

Dr. Jose Mena, Interventional Spine Specialist with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, explains rheumatoid arthritis happens when the facet joints and discs in the neck start degenerating as people age closing the canal where the spinal cord is running down, affecting the nerves or the spinal cord. He also says this disease has symptoms,…...

Dr. Jose Mena, Interventional Spine Specialist with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, says when you have an acute injury, doctors will recommend a cold pack. "They are good for the first 48 hours." Hot packs, stretching and over-the-counter medication are other home remedies. "Stretching decreases the tension that you're putting into the different…...

Pain relievers, antidepressants, anti-seizure drugs and opioids are some medications a doctor may prescribe to treat cervical spinal stenosis. Claudia Hogdson, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, explains pain is sometimes worsened by patients who have depression, and that is the reason to prescribe antidepressants. "If we are able to…...

Dr. Jose Mena, Interventional Spine Specialist with Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, explains there is a difference between bulging disc and herniated disc. "By definition, bulging disc doesn't cause pain, is just that the disc is a little more relaxed. A herniated disc is a focal area of the disc that slips out and…...

According to Noel Gressner, Physical Therapist at Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, you do not need to feel pain to be diagnosed or to take into consideration a problem that can end with a stress pain. He also says pain is subjective and you can get a radiography or MRI to be more precise…...

The spine is divided into three parts: the cervical, the top section, thoracic section, the thorax or chest, and the lumbar spine or lower back. Dr. Georgiy Brusovanik, Spine Surgeon with Baptist Health South Florida, explains the anatomy of the spine. With a digital imaging the specialist describes the nomenclature of the spine. …...