Is Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Right for Me?
Hearing that you need lumbar fusion surgery may make you expect days in the hospital, a long painful recovery, and a big ugly scar. This type of surgery on your lower back doesn’t need to have such negative repercussions. Thanks to a minimally invasive surgical approach to lumbar fusion, many...
How to Choose the Right Spine Surgeon
Deciding to have spine surgery is a big step, but finding the right surgeon is just as important. Surgery can be a very effective way to regain your mobility and comfort if you have a serious back problem, but it is only as good as the doctor who performs the procedure. Many patients are uncertain...
ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion)
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is spinal surgery approached from the front of the body instead of the back. The purpose is to remove damaged disc or bone from the space between two adjacent vertebrae in the lower back. ALIF surgery can be performed using traditional surgical methods, or...
TLIF
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is surgery on the spine approached from the back of the body with the purpose of placing a bone graft between two vertebrae. The goal is to stabilize the vertebrae and disc so that nerve compression is alleviated, therefore reducing back pain....
Managing Back Pain
Nagging back pain can make getting through each day difficult. Walking, bending, turning, lifting, and even sitting or sleeping can all come with a price: pain ranging from minimal to severe. If you’re experiencing back pain, you don’t have to continue through life this way. Finding the right...
What You Need to Know About Scoliosis
It’s normal for your spine to curve a little bit, but a spine that curves too much is a condition called scoliosis. This abnormal curving of the spine is often bent into the shape of the letter C or S. What causes scoliosis? The most common type of scoliosis is called idiopathic scoliosis, which...
Spinal Stenosis
Aging and general wear and tear on your body can be hard on your spine. One condition that may occur is called spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal. This most often happens in the lower back (lumbar region) or the neck (cervical region). When the spinal canal narrows, it puts...
NBA Prospect, Michael Porter Jr. Back injury explained by a surgeon and a jelly doughnut.
Dr. Fischer was recently interviewed by SBNATION.com about the back injury suffered by NBA Prospect, Michael Porter Jr. click here to read the full story
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Back Pain
Experiencing back pain can affect many aspects of your life, making it difficult to be active or even be still without discomfort. Finding the right treatment for your back pain will become an important goal so that you can return to your normal routine. You’ll want to regain the ability to...
What is a Pinched Nerve in the Neck?
A pinched nerve can cause minor discomfort or it can incapacitate you. It depends on the location of the nerve and the degree of compression. Nerves are located all over your body and help it function as it should, but when one of them is damaged from compression, very uncomfortable symptoms can...