What Is a Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF)?
“Lateral lumbar interbody fusion” is a mouthful, which is why many doctors and their patients prefer the initials XLIF. Besides being a lot of words to spit out, the procedure sounds daunting. The exact opposite is true, however, because the XLIF is one of those minimally invasive options that have put the Southeast Spine Institute […]
What Is a Rhizotomy?
Stave off debilitating back pain for long periods of time A rhizotomy addresses back pain due to facet joint syndrome. Facet joints line the back of your spine, both protecting your spinal column and stabilizing the vertebrae of your spine. Facet joints limit the flexibility in your back so you can’t fall over backward. When […]
What Is a Kyphoplasty?
With age or after an injury, your back may not respond as well to more conventional types of back treatments as it should. So instead of suffering, the spine surgeons at the Southeastern Spine Institute (SSI) may turn to fairly new technology to give your back a bit of bionic rebirth. The new procedure is […]
Treatments for Sports Injuries to Your Back
Seek treatment early to assure your place on the team. Playing sports and remaining active on a regular basis are good for your overall health. The medical community at large promotes an active lifestyle. Unfortunately, that same advice can lead to complications that leave you in less-than-stellar physical condition. While nearly 80 percent of […]
Safe Spinal Injections Instead of Surgery
The Southeastern Spine Institute offers a host of options to treat back pain that don’t involve surgery. In this day and age, it’s really rare that you’ll need surgery to alleviate your back pain. As a matter of fact, fewer than 10 percent of patients with back pain of any kind end up under the […]
Degenerative Disc Disease Treatments
Back surgery is the final option. In a healthy spine, discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae, so the bones of the spine never actually touch. That padding not only allows the flexibility you take for granted, but it also opens space for nerves to leave your spinal column and spread to the rest […]
Does a Ruptured Disc Require Back Surgery?
At SSI, you’ll find a number of back surgery alternatives. The term “ruptured disc” is one of those medical phrases that’s often used interchangeably with other terms, such as herniated disc, bulging disc, pinched nerve, slipped disc or disc disease. Rather than getting caught up in the words used to describe your back pain, it’s […]
Keeping Up Your Physical Therapy During the Holidays
It’s a PT kind of holiday season. One of the main reasons you’re undergoing physical therapy is to get back to your life, with all its challenges and joy. So if you’re worrying about how your regular physical therapy session will work during the holiday season — stop right there. Because worry and stress are […]
When Custom Braces Can Help
Custom back braces help stabilize your spine to prevent injury — which is the reason furniture movers often wear them — or to keep back pain from getting worse. Composed of a combination of rigid plastic and elastic fabric, they are made to be wrapped around your torso to inhibit movement. Custom braces work because […]
Does a Bulging Disc Require Surgery?
Discs are the cushions that lie between the vertebrae in your back. They are made of soft cartilage in the center surrounded by a tougher, outer layer of cartilage, somewhat like a miniature jelly donut. When a disc expands outside its given space, it’s said to be bulging, much like a hamburger that’s too big […]