Lumbar Spine/Lower Back

July 2nd, 2024 by New Jersey Brain and Spine

Trigeminal neuralgia and other facial pain conditions evaluated by New Jersey Brain and Spine neurosurgeons

Trigeminal Neuralgia vs. Other Facial Pain Conditions

Facial pain is one of the most difficult symptoms to evaluate in neurology. Patients often describe it as the worst pain of their lives, yet it can be caused by a wide range of conditions, from dental problems to rare neurological disorders. One of the most significant of these conditions is trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder that produces severe, brief, electric shock-like pain along the face. Getting the diagnosis right is essential, because the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is fundamentally different...

Comparison of standalone spinal decompression and instrumented spinal fusion surgery at New Jersey Brain and Spine

Decompression vs. Spinal Fusion: How Surgeons Evaluate Stability

When a patient presents with severe back or leg pain that has proven refractory to comprehensive conservative management, surgical intervention may be indicated. When reviewing advanced neuroimaging, patients frequently encounter two core surgical categories: a standalone decompression (such as a microdiscectomy or laminectomy) and a spinal fusion. Both procedures are highly effective at relieving nerve root compression, but they serve entirely different structural purposes. The fundamental factor that dictates which operation a specialist chooses is spinal stability. At New Jersey...

Lumbar spinal stenosis causing neurogenic claudication and leg pain, treated with minimally invasive surgery at NJBS

Spinal Stenosis Explained: Why Walking Becomes Painful, Numbness Develops, and How Minimally Invasive Procedures Can Help

Have you noticed that a routine walk down the driveway or a brief excursion through the grocery store has become increasingly difficult? Perhaps your legs begin to feel heavy, cramped, or tingly after standing still for just a few minutes, forcing you to look around for the nearest place to sit. You might have even noticed a strange pattern: if you lean forward over a shopping cart, that shooting leg pain quickly goes away. If this presentation aligns with your...

Diagram showing nerve root compression from a herniated disc causing radiculopathy at New Jersey Brain and Spine

The Truth About Pinched Nerves: Symptoms People Ignore Until Weakness or Numbness Becomes Permanent

It is a common scenario: you wake up with an acute stiffness in your neck or a deep, localized ache in your lumbar spine. It is easy to attribute the discomfort to a poor sleeping posture or natural aging, consume an over-the-counter analgesic, and continue with your daily routine. When a nerve root exiting the spinal column becomes structurally compressed or irritated — a clinical condition known as radiculopathy — pain is typically the initial symptom to manifest. Because this...

NJBS spine specialist evaluating a patient with persistent postoperative back pain after spinal surgery

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: Why Pain Can Persist After Spine Surgery

Few clinical scenarios are as profoundly frustrating for a patient as undergoing a major spinal intervention, completing weeks of postoperative physical therapy, and realizing that chronic axial or radicular pain persists. Navigating the recovery process with ongoing functional limitations can induce significant emotional and physical exhaustion. If you are experiencing persistent or new symptoms following a spinal operation, your therapeutic options are not exhausted. Many patients with ongoing pain after surgery can still benefit from additional evaluation and treatment. In...

Illustration of adjacent segment disease showing degeneration at spinal levels above and below a lumbar fusion

Adjacent Segment Disease After Spinal Fusion: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

For patients who have undergone an instrumented spinal fusion, achieving a full recovery brings a welcome restoration of function and relief from debilitating axial or radicular pain. Whether treating an unstable spondylolisthesis or severe foraminal stenosis, fusion is highly effective at stabilizing mechanical pain generators. However, if a familiar ache or nerve pain flares up years down the road, it can be deeply unsettling. It is completely natural to immediately worry that your original surgery has failed. In a high...

Patient consulting with a New Jersey Brain and Spine neurosurgeon for a second surgical opinion

Neurosurgery Second Opinions: Why They Matter and What to Expect

Receiving a clinical recommendation for cranial or spinal surgery is a major milestone in a patient's healthcare journey. It is entirely expected to experience a period of cognitive overwhelm as you process the implications of a major surgical intervention. During this transition, a critical question frequently arises: Should I seek a second opinion? For many patients considering brain or spine surgery, seeking a second opinion can provide additional clarity and confidence in the treatment plan. Seeking a second opinion in...

Comparison of cervical spinal fusion (ACDF) and artificial disc replacement (ADR) at New Jersey Brain and Spine

Cervical Fusion vs. Artificial Disc Replacement: Which One Preserves More Mobility?

When neck pain, arm pain, numbness, or weakness persist despite conservative treatment, surgery may become part of the discussion. For patients with a damaged cervical disc, two common surgical options are Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) and Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR). Both procedures relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, but they accomplish that goal differently. One eliminates motion at the affected level, while the other is designed to preserve it. At New Jersey Brain and Spine...

Board-certified neurosurgeon performing spinal surgery at New Jersey Brain and Spine

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon vs. Neurosurgeon: Who Should Perform Your Back Surgery?

When back or neck symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, patients are often faced with an important question: Should they see an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon? Understanding the differences between these specialties can help patients make informed decisions about their care. In modern medicine, the structural and functional complexities of the spine have created a significant overlap between these two medical subspecialties. Both types of specialists are capable of performing standard spinal procedures. However, their foundational residencies reflect distinct...