Is that ache in your spine keeping you from enjoying life? From your ability to complete daily tasks around the house to exercising, driving or even holding your children or grandchildren, struggling with back pain can limit your ability to live the life you love.
At any given moment, an estimated 31 million Americans are coping with some form of back pain. Back pain is also one of the most common reasons why Americans miss work. If you’ve been suffering from pain in your back or spine, now’s the time to contact a spine specialist in Houston.
Dr. Vivek Kushwaha has been recognized as a “Most Efficient Surgeon” and as one of “America’s Top Physicians.” He has extensive experience in complicated spine surgery, and patients from all over the country seek him out for his wealth of knowledge. He treats a variety of spine conditions, including:
- Herniated, bulging or ruptured disc(s).
- Degenerative disc disease.
- SI joint pain.
- Arthritis.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Scoliosis.
- Traumatic injuries to the back and spine.
If you’re suffering from back pain due to any of these conditions, Dr. Kushwaha is the spine specialist in Houston you can trust.
Dr. Kushwaha is a highly skilled surgeon trained in the performance of the following procedures.
Anterior Cervical Discectomy.
A discectomy aims to lessen back pain by limiting painful motion between vertebrae. The surgeon attaches a metal plate along the front (or anterior portion) of the cervical spine to provide stability and help increase the rate of fusion. Bone grafts fill in the space left by the disc’s removal. Bone grafts also help stimulate bone healing and accelerate the fusing of the vertebrae into a uniform, solid bone.
Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF).
XLIF is a commonly employed surgical solution for degenerative disc disease, a condition in which the discs between the vertebrae begin to break down. Degenerative disc disease can cause inflammation, back pain, muscle spasms and sciatica. During this surgical procedure, the surgeon fuses the front part of the lumbar spine. The surgeon next extracts the damaged disc material and then places a fusion graft in the space created by the material’s removal. This graft usually consists of bone or a cage combined with bone.
Cervical Disc Replacement.
If the space between vertebrae narrows, part of the vertebra or cervical disc may begin pressing on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. This can cause pain, numbness and weakness in your back. In this procedure, the surgeon replaces the diseased cervical disc with an artificial counterpart. Your physician may recommend Cervical Disc Replacement if your back pain and associated symptoms do not respond to nonsurgical treatments.
SI Joint Fusion.
Clinical literature shows that up to 25 percent of all lower back pain can be attributed to the sacroiliac (SI) joint. The SI joint is a large joint in the pelvis that connects the sacrum and the ilium. It bears weight on both sides of the body and has strong internal and external ligaments. The SI joint’s main function is to provide additional shock absorption for the spine. With age, stability in the SI joint can decline. The joint can then degenerate, resulting in pain and stiffness in the lower back and lower limbs. SI Joint Fusion is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to stabilize the joint, minimizing movement and providing significant pain relief.
Lumbar Spinal Fusion.
Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person’s spine is curved from side to side, causing it to assume an S- or C-like shape. In some cases, the spine may also become rotated. For adults, these conditions can be very painful. Your physician may recommend Lumbar Spinal Fusion to help straighten your spine and alleviate any back pain associated with scoliosis. In the procedure itself, the surgeon restricts the abnormal motion of the spine by immobilizing the vertebrae themselves. Lumbar Spinal Fusion is also sometimes prescribed for the treatment of herniated, bulging or ruptured discs as well as degenerative disc disease.
Lumbar Discectomy.
During this procedure, the surgeon removes any herniated or bulging portions of the intervertebral disc. This condition can cause either irritate or place pressure on the spinal cord and radiating nerves. Once this soft tissue has been removed, patients suffering from herniated, bulging or ruptured discs experience significant relief of their back pain.
If you’re experiencing back pain for any reason, contact Dr. Kushwaha — Houston’s leading spine specialist — today.