Spinal decompression surgery relieves pressure on spinal nerves or the spinal cord. Some decompressions are paired with a fusion and others are not. Whether a fusion is added depends on the type of disease being treated, spinal stability, and anatomy, so the choice is made case by case. Here is how surgeons think through that choice and what it means for recovery.
A practical, non-diagnostic checklist to help patients and caregivers prepare for spine surgery, including questions to ask, practical planning steps, and what to expect during the pre-operative process.
A patient-friendly guide to preparing for a spinal decompression consultation, including what to bring, questions to ask, and how shared decision-making supports a more informed conversation.
A practical, non-diagnostic guide to the questions that can help you understand your spine diagnosis, compare treatment options, and take part in shared decision-making with a spine surgeon.
A plain-language overview of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), including how it is defined, who may be evaluated for it, what a typical treatment course involves, and how it fits with ongoing psychiatric care.
A patient-friendly overview of minimally invasive spine surgery in Dallas: what it is, common techniques, who may be a candidate, recovery expectations, and the questions worth asking before choosing care.
A patient-friendly guide to spinal decompression surgery: what it treats, common techniques like laminectomy and microdiscectomy, who may be a candidate, and what recovery generally involves.
The moment a neurologist says "brain tumor," most people stop hearing anything that comes after. The room narrows. The words blur. In the weeks that follow, patients often describe doing what feels like two jobs simultaneously: living their normal life on the surface while privately carrying a weight that's almost impossible to describe. If that sounds familiar—if you or someone you love just received a meningioma diagnosis and the word "surgery" is now hovering over every conversation—this arti
Pain represents the most common complication affecting adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) and impacts patients' quality of life, functional ability, and healthcare utilization deeply. Chronic pain affects 30% to 40% of adolescents and adults who live with SCD. Effective pain management in sickle cell disease requires evidence-based protocols that address both acute pain crises and long-term chronic pain. We present detailed sickle cell disease pain management guidelines to support clinicians
Stretching exercises for lower back pain aren't just helpful; they're essential when you think about that 60% to 80% of adults are likely to experience back pain at some point in their lives . Many people deal with back pain every day , but exercise often helps to ease discomfort and prevent further issues . Patients who completed a four-week stretching and flexibility program saw an average improvement of 58% in their back pain . So we've compiled seven of the best stretching exercises for lowe
Back pain is a common problem that many people deal with every day. But here's the good news: stretch exercises for lower back pain can help ease your discomfort and prevent it from coming back. Gentle exercises can help ease back pain and stiffness for most people. They also increase strength and stamina, with improvements often showing within just a few weeks. The challenge? Finding time in your busy schedule. That's why we've put together this 15-minute daily routine featuring the best stretc
If you've spent the past few months wincing through every step, lying awake at 2 a.m. because nothing stops the electric current running from your lower back down to your foot, and quietly dreading the phrase "you might need surgery" — you're in the right place. Sciatica caused by a herniated lumbar disc is one of the most debilitating conditions an otherwise healthy, active person can face. And for most patients, the fear of spine surgery is almost as paralyzing as the pain itself — until they
When a 69-year-old retired schoolteacher from Sugar Land named Carol tells her primary care doctor that she can barely walk from her car to the pharmacy—but somehow managed to spend an hour at H-E-B on Saturday without trouble—most doctors recognize that pattern immediately. It's one of the most diagnostically specific phenomena in all of spinal medicine. And for the millions of older adults experiencing it right now, that strange relief they feel while leaning forward has a name, a clear explan