Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Key Facts Living with back or neck pain can wear you down over time. Simple things like sitting at a desk, driving, or getting a full night’s sleep can become frustrating or even unbearable. Most people try conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections. When those options no longer…
Northern Virginia Magazine Top Doctors: Quick Facts Who are the Top Doctors in Virginia? We are honored that Northern Virginia Magazine recognized VSI physicians as 2026 Top Doctors. This year’s honorees include Dr. Ella Akkerman, Dr. Niteesh Bharara, Dr. Christopher Good, Dr. Colin Haines, Dr. Ehsan Jazini, Dr. Yash Mehta, and Dr. Thomas Nguyen. Each…
Winter Back Pain and Snow Shoveling: Quick Facts Cold weather can make back pain and stiffness more noticeable because muscles tighten in lower temperatures and many people move less during the winter. As circulation and flexibility drop, your spine and supporting muscles may not respond as well to everyday demands, especially sudden tasks like shoveling…
Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery: Quick Facts What is Motion-Preservation Spine Surgery? Motion-preservation spine surgery – like disc replacement surgery, hybrid spine surgery (combining disc replacement and fusion), or minimally invasive spine surgery – use advanced implants and techniques to relieve nerve pressure while maintaining near-normal movement in the spine. Instead of fusing bones together, these procedures…
Excellence in spine surgery and sports medicine requires more than technical skill—it demands innovation, peer respect, and an unwavering commitment to patient outcomes. That’s why we’re thrilled to share that Dr. Niteesh Bharara, Dr. Christopher Good, and Dr. Colin Haines have once again earned Castle Connolly Top Doctor honors for 2026. This achievement places them…
Breakthrough technique by VSI Spine Surgeon Dr. Colin Haines advances a new global standard for precision bone removal and rapid patient recovery Read Official Press Release RESTON, VA — January 20, 2025 — In a historic breakthrough for spine surgery, Dr. Colin Haines, a leading minimally invasive spine surgeon at VSI, has successfully performed the…
One of the most common conditions we see when diagnosing patients at VSI is lumbar spinal stenosis. This common condition can cause people to suffer with constant back pain, or with pain and weakness that radiates from the lower back down the legs. Many of my patients’ first question when being told they have lumbar…
What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? The spinal canal is the hollow passage formed by the spine, through which the spinal cord travels. Lumbar spinal stenosis refers to the portion of the spinal cord in the lower spine (lumbar region) being pinched in the canal (stenosis). What Are the Symptoms of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? When lumbar spinal stenosis…
Lumbar spinal stenosis is a medical condition that can cause significant discomfort and impact daily life. We’ll break down what lumbar spinal stenosis is, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options, providing a comprehensive guide for those seeking to understand this condition better. What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis? The term stenosis means a narrowing of space,…
Breakthrough technique by VSI® Spine Surgeon Dr. Christopher Good sets a new global standard for precision bone removal and rapid recovery FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE RESTON, VA – November 25, 2025 – VSI® Spine Surgeon Dr. Christopher Good has achieved a historic milestone in robotic spine surgery, performing the world’s first minimally invasive robotic Bertolotti’s resection…
