VSI Blog

Patient Questions

SPINAL INJECTIONS 101: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

  Here at the Virginia Spine Institute, our unique treatment model provides several options to our patients; all under one roof. For your non-operative needs, our Pain Management team is here to help walk you through what to expect when coming in for an injection. Spinal injections whether in the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: WHAT IS FOOT DROP AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

I was recently asked about a condition called foot drop, what the causation is and how it is treated. To start, let’s define what foot drop is; it is a term used to describe the loss of ability to pick one’s foot up.  The medical term for this is dorsiflexion of the foot or raising [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME VS CERVICAL RADICULOPATHY

  I was recently asked “how to recognize the difference between a cervical spine issue versus carpal tunnel syndrome with accompanied numbness.” As a spinal neurosurgeon, I frequently encounter a patient who has symptoms in his or her upper extremity (arm) that seemed to either extend from the shoulder down toward the fingers or extends [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: HOW DOES A LOW BACK MUSCLE STRAIN OCCUR AND HOW IS IT TREATED?

  How does a low back muscle strain occur and how is it treated? When force exceeds a muscle’s threshold for strength production, injury can occur. Regarding the lumbar spine musculature, lifting from a position of flexion and rotation is the most common mechanism of injury, often creating forces greater than eight times a person’s [...]

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ASK THE EXPERT: CAN REPEATED SPINAL INJECTIONS OVER TIME CAUSE FURTHER DISC DEGENERATION?

Question {Lisa B.}: Can repeated spinal injections over time cause further disc degeneration? Answer {Dr. Nguyen}: Lisa, thank you for your question. There is no data at this time that points to any correlation between repeated spinal injections leading to further disc degeneration.  Most of the time, there is a limit on the number of injections [...]

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CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP EASE MY RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS {RA} PAIN?

  When every joint in your body feels swollen and throbbing with pain, the last thing you want to do is move them. Though you may not feel like moving, it can be one of the best things you can do to manage your condition. Pain and fatigue is a daily reminder when living with [...]

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TRUE STORY: AFTER YEARS OF DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE, COREY DIDN’T WANT TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY IN PAIN!

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HOW ARE BACK PAIN AND GENETICS RELATED? SHEDDING EXCESS WEIGHT CAN MINIMIZE PAIN.

Question [Mary L.]: Everyone in my family seems to have problems with their neck and back.  Both of my parents have had spine surgery and I am worried that this may happen to me.  I have two young children and never lost the weight after my pregnancies.  Will losing weight make it less likely that [...]

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WHERE DO I SEEK TREATMENT FOR MY BACK PAIN? NOT ALL SPINE INSTITUTES ARE CREATED EQUAL.

When individuals suffer from neck or back pain, especially for the first time, they are unaware as to where to seek treatment. Ideally they want to go to the place that will get them pain free the safest and fastest, and preferably without surgery. In addition to the stress of deciding where to go to [...]

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY (MIS), AS TOLD BY DR. HASZ

In a world where health care is constantly evolving and progressing, as a patient it is hard to keep up with the latest procedures and treatment options. Lately, I have been receiving many inquiries and questions from patients surrounding around “minimally invasive surgery”. Through these recent dialogues it has become clear to me that Minimally [...]

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