libbi traveling after spinal fusion surgery
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When Back Pain Has a Name: Solving Bertolotti Syndrome

Key Facts For years, Libbi Logan planned her life around calculating her next move and how it would impact her pain. If she went to her son’s game tonight, could she work tomorrow? If she played tennis, what would it cost her afterward? Today she is back to being active and doesn’t have to plan…

augmented reality in spine surgery

What Role Does Augmented Reality Play in Modern Spine Surgery?

Key Facts Spine surgery has traditionally demanded an exact combination: the precision of millimeters in an area crowded with nerves and blood vessels, performed on a structure that is both deep inside the body and constantly in motion. For decades, surgeons have relied on imaging like X-ray and CT to navigate that terrain. Augmented reality…

motion preserving spine surgery

The Technology Behind Motion-Preserving Spine Surgery

Key Facts: Motion-Preserving Spine Technology For decades, spinal fusion surgery was the default answer when conservative treatment stopped working. Fuse the damaged vertebrae, eliminate motion at that level, and eliminate the pain. For many patients, it worked, but it also meant permanently sacrificing movement in part of the spine, and for some, that trade-off created…

two men running with the bright sun
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Why Men Shouldn’t Ignore Chronic Back Pain: Lessons From Patient Testimony

Chronic back pain in men can affect work, family, fitness, your mental health, and the ability to show up for the moments that matter. During Men’s Health Month, this VSI patient story is a powerful reminder that pushing through pain is not always strength and asking for help is not weakness. Tim is an active…

a mother's patient success story
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Chronic Back Pain in Women: Why Pain Should Never Be the End of the Story

Key Takeaways: Chronic Back Pain, Motherhood, and Hope Women Who Spend Decades Searching for Answers May is Women’s Health Month, focusing on the challenges and solutions to living with pain while managing motherhood – and all of the joys and demands that bring. Motherhood is filled with a lot of joy. The first steps. The…

Man gripping lower back with radiating pain and view of the lumbar spine

Spondylosis vs Spondylolysis vs Spondylolisthesis: What’s the Difference?

Key Facts Spondylosis, spondylolysis, and spondylolisthesis sound nearly identical, but they describe three distinct spinal conditions. In simple terms: spondylosis is arthritis of the spine, spondylolysis is a stress fracture in the vertebra, and spondylolisthesis is when one vertebra slips forward over another. The conditions can also be related, since untreated spondylolysis can progress into…

vsi spine surgeon using medtronic robotic system

How Robotics, AR, 3D Printing and Endoscopy Are Improving Spine Surgery Results

Key Takeaways:  Modern spine surgery utilizes advanced surgical technology and precise, minimally invasive techniques to improve surgical accuracy and minimize tissue disruption. Key technologies include: The Transition to Precision-Guided Spine Care The standard of care in spine surgery at VSI avoids conventional open techniques and focuses on a personalized, safer model. This evolution is supported…

police officer heals from back injury
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VSI Earns National Recognition on Fox News for Helping Police Officer Overcome Back Injury

Tim had built his life around service, strength, and movement. As a Texas law enforcement officer, former K9 officer, Detective Sergeant, marathon runner, husband, and father, his identity was closely tied to being active and capable. But after a line-of-duty injury in 2017, chronic back and neck pain began taking away the life he knew….

Gardener and her plants outside
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 5 Back Tips to Protect Your Low Back During Spring Gardening

Gardening Back Pain Prevention: Key Takeaways Cause of Low Back Pain After Gardening Spring is blooming, and we all have the urge to get back to our regularly scheduled outdoor activities as soon as possible. And what better way to spend time outdoors than to spruce up your home with flowers, trees, and shrubs? Over…

discography for locating back pain source
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Discography: A Diagnostic Test for Finding the Source of Back Pain

Discography Quick Facts You’ve lived with back pain for a long time, and might have been recently diagnosed with a spinal condition. In order for a spine specialist to determine the optimal treatment plan for you, they’ll need to identify the source of your pain. An effective and studied way of doing this is by performing a…