All Posts Tagged: arkansas back pain

Screwless | Lumbar Interbody Fusion (S-LIF)

THE WORLD’S LEAST INVASIVE LUMBAR FUSION SURGERY: the S-LIF, Developed by and available exclusively at Legacy Spine & Neurological Specialists.

Sciatic nerve pain can be disruptive. Constant pain and numbness due to a compressed nerve with spine instability can hinder your daily life. So can invasive spinal surgery and the recovery time that comes along with it. But not anymore, thanks to S-LIF technology.

The S-LIF is the least invasive option for lumbar fusion surgery available anywhere in the world. When Dr. Schlesinger developed the MIG-LIF procedure in 2015, it was the least invasive fusion option also done through a keyhole outpatient surgery. While this was a great breakthrough at the time in MIS spine surgery, Dr. Schlesinger felt that the next logical step was to achieve the same outcome with even less surgery.

Through application of his microsurgical skills and experience in delicate surgery on aneurysms and tumors of the brain, this next step became a reality. The S-LIF is the least invasive option in the world for many patients with the need for a decompression and fusion of the lumbar spine. It is not for all patients as some still require more invasive surgery. But for those that are candidates for MIS surgery, this is an outstanding option.

The S-LIF procedure is performed by our two talented neurosurgeons Scott Schlesinger, MD, and Dominic Maggio, MD. Scott Schlesinger, MD has practiced neurosurgery since 1992. He trained in Neurosurgery at UT Southwestern with a fellowship in Lausanne, Switzerland. He has received multiple awards and multiple recognitions as the Best Neurosurgeon in the state. Dr. Schlesinger is the founder of Legacy Spine and Neurological Specialists and the developer of the S-LIF procedure.

Dominic Maggio, MD joined the Legacy team in July 2021. He is an excellent surgeon who specializes in the S-LIF procedure as well as a wide variety of other spinal surgery. He trained at the University of Virginia-National Institutes of Health neurosurgery program and received multiple awards for his research and clinical skills. He subsequently did a fellowship at Ohio State University in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery techniques.

To find out if the S-LIF is an option for you or for more information call us today at 501-661-0077 or email contactus@wordpress-967348-3758640.cloudwaysapps.com. We look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

Read More

Effects of Chronic Pain

Effects of Chronic Pain

Anyone that has experienced pain, whether acute or chronic, knows that it can affect multiple aspects of daily living.

The feeling that “I hurt everywhere” or “I have no energy” are common complaints associated with pain scenarios that are treated regularly here at Legacy.

Persistent pain is truly its own disease regardless of its underlying cause.1-3 This type of pain, which is also often characterized as chronic or intractable, has all the ramifications of a disease in that it may have pre-clinical and overt phases.4-6 Many recent and emerging studies clearly document that persistent pain exerts profound impacts on the body’s endocrine, cardiovascular, immune, neurologic and musculo-skeletal systems.7

According to an article on the complications of uncontrolled pain, there are three major classifications of complications associated with chronic pain.8

Deconditioning

“Overuse” of ancillary musculoskeletal tissue with degeneration

Decreased mobility

Obesity

Muscle atrophy

Contractures

Neuropathies

 

Hormonal

1.       Excess catecholamine production with hypertension and tachycardia

2.       Glucocorticoid excess or deficiency

3.       Hypotestosteronemia

4.       Insulin – Lipid abnormalities

5.       Immune suppression

 

Neuropsychiatric

1.       Nerve – Spinal cord degeneration

2.       Cerebral atrophy

3.       Depression/suicide

4.       Insomnia

5.       Attention deficit

6.       Memory loss

7.       Cognitive decline

 

 

Knowledge and understanding of pain complications only aides in better treatment of the entire patient instead of treating just the active pain site. Here at Legacy we always strive to provide comprehensive care by offering services from skilled and experienced healthcare professionals. There are many treatment options offered at our facility that have the ability to encompass multiple body systems that could be affected by chronic pain. Whether the patient’s needs are medication therapies, minimally invasive surgical intervention, spinal injections, diagnostic studies, or physical therapy ▬▬ the Legacy Team is well-equipped to assist their patients back to a better, more functional way of living

 

  1. Brookoff D. Chronic pain: A new disease? Hosp Prac. 2000. 7:1-13.
  2. Murphy K. Chronic pain syndrome: What is it: And how can we help? Am Pain J Management. 1994. 4:129-31.
  3. Carver A and Foley K. Facts and an open mind should guide clinical practice. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2001. 1:97-8.
  4. Curlje O, Von Kostt M, Simon CE, et al. Persistent pain and well-being: a WHO study in primary care. JAMA. 1998. 280:147-151.
  5. Liebeskind JC. Pain can kill. Pain. 1991. 44:3-4.
  6. Mantyselka BT, Turennen J, Ahonen RS, and Rumpusalo EA. Chronic pain and poor self-rated health. JAMA. 2003. 290:2435-2447.
  7. Chapman RC and Gavin J. Suffering: The contributions of persistent pain. Lancet. 1999. 353:2233-7.
  8. https://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/pain/other/co-morbidities/complications-uncontrolled-persistent-pain?page=0,1
Read More

Intraoperative Navigation

What is intraoperative navigation?

Sophisticated imaging equipment that is used during surgery to provide accurate anatomical localization of important structures.

How does it help in spine surgery?

Read More

What is causing my leg pain?

There are many potential sources of leg pain. The nerves that provide motor and sensory function to the legs start in the lower back. These are called the lumbar nerves. Leg pain that starts in the lower back and radiates down the leg is often referred to as ‘sciatica.’

Some causes of leg pain from a lumbar spine problem include:

Disk Herniation

where the soft cushion between the bony vertebrae of the spine herniates from its normal position and causes compression of the lumbar nerves

Read More

Lumbar Disc Disease

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the severity of the condition, and may range from no symptoms to severe pain in the back and or legs with variable degrees of numbness, tingling and weakness in the legs.

Causes

The lumbar discs are the cushions between each of the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. These cushions are composed of an inner layer of material called the nucleus pulposus, which is surrounded by fibrous bands called the annulus. The nucleus material is a gelatinous core that has the consistency of “boiled shrimp”. These cushions serve as the shock absorbers in our lower back, just like the shock in your car. These “shock absorbers” experience daily wear and tear.

Read More

How to Avoid Neck Pain at Work

Have you ever arrived to work and before the hectic day has even begun you are already experiencing the nagging and far too familiar feeling of neck pain?

By: Jessica Beggs, DPT (Legacy Neurosurgery Physical Therapist)

There are many sources of neck pain but one that is commonly overlooked is body positioning throughout the work day. According to a recent study by Caio et al. neck pain is a common condition that can cause substantial disability and is of high prevalence with individuals who perform occupational activities while sitting and leaning.1 So, what type of employment fits that job description? This data is not limited to computer programmers and call centers but instead could be applied to nearly all job styles! When sitting, leaning forward is a position that the body sometimes naturally assumes especially when driving a car, using a phone, or working on a computer. It requires countless muscle fibers to recruit and a conscious effort to maintain upright posturing.

Read More

Congratulations to Dustin Johnson for his Playoff Opener Win

The Play by Play

Dustin Johnson is cool under pressure! Despite falling five shots behind Jordan Spieth after five holes Sunday in the Northern Trust, Johnson never panicked.

The seemingly insurmountable deficit was wiped clean in five holes, with Johnson making two birdies and Spieth finding water on the sixth hole for a double-bogey. Spieth, then making another bogey on the ninth. From the 11th on, Johnson out-dueled Spieth and won the opener of the FedExCup Playoffs with two great performances on the final hole.

On the 72nd hole, Johnson, facing a make-or-break situation, buried an 18-footer  for par to force a playoff, and then claimed the hardware on the first extra hole, when he unleashed the longest drive on the 18th all week — a 341-yarder that easily cleared the lake — and then struck a 60-degree wedge to 3 feet and made the putt to win.

Read More

The Simple Facts: Lumbar Stenosis

Stenosis is a common spinal condition caused by arthritic build up in the joints (facet joints) and ligaments in the lower back. In addition, one may have a disc bulging that causes pressure on the nerves passing through the narrow canal.

Symptoms:

Back and leg pain down one or both legs, numbness or tingling, weakness often associated with electric shocks running from the back to the feet. These symptoms are increasingly aggravated, at a varying degree while walking, and improve when sitting or stooping forward.

Read More

“The Golfer’s Swing: A Multi-modal Approach to Improving Your Game”

A competitive edge is a highly sought attribute for any serious athlete. As young, healthy athletes slowly begin to add years of experience to his/her playing card, there are added stressors and strains that inevitably accumulate. Very often I see an aging adult that has the follow through and motivation of a champion but an uncooperative physique. So the question then becomes, how can the imminent become less inhibiting?

Let’s discuss some of the limiting factors and how we might be able to address these items through a strengthening and flexibility regime that could potentially be the difference between double bogey and par. Primary areas of focus will include hip range of motion, low back musculature, and biomechanics of your golf swing.

Read More
selective nerve root block

Selective Nerve Root Block FAQ

What is a Selective Nerve Root Block?

A selective nerve root block (SNRB) is a procedure that helps Legacy surgeons determine the source of your leg or arm pain. There are many nerves in the cervical and lumbar spine. It is sometimes necessary to use more than an MRI, physical exam and symptom evaluation to determine the cause of pain.

Read More