Did you know?
If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, you should consult a spine specialist:- Has your low back pain extended down your leg?
- Does your leg pain increase if you lift your knee to your chest or bend over?
- Have you had severe back pain following a recent fall?
- Have you had significant back pain lasting for more than 3 weeks?
- Have you had back pain that becomes worse when you rest, or wakes you up at night?
- Do you have persistent bladder or bowel problems?
Health Facts
Back pain is often caused by obesity
Most people know that obesity contributes to the development of various diseases. However, did you know that obesity is a contributing factor to back pain? It is true. Being overweight or obese can significantly contribute to osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Popular subjects
DISC | research | DDD |surgeons | spine | HERNIATED | ARTIFICIAL nucleus | TRIALS | BACK PAIN | video | FUSION | laminectomy | conservative | TREATMENTS
Introduction to Nucleus Replacement
This treatment uses a synthetic gel called the NuCore injectable nucleus. It's injected directly into the natural cushion of the disc. It is made from two cloned natural substances. It's non-toxic and preliminary research shows it's durable. (Note: This clinical trial is CLOSED.)Nucleus Replacement in the News
abc7 News - "New Procedure Uses Gel to Fight Back Pain"
By Denise Dador - abc7.com
September 15, 2006 - Moving from the gurney to the operating table isn't so bad this time, but sometimes acute back pain stops 33-year-old Jade Gerard from getting up from a chair.
"It always hurts. It's just some days are worse than others," Gerard said.Years of heavy lifting injured a disc in her spine. Damaged discs are usually repaired or replaced with major surgery, but Jade wasn't ready for that.
"I'm 33 and I'd like to have children and didn't want to burn any bridges really," Gerard said.
So she volunteered for an experimental, minimally-invasive 30-minute outpatient procedure. It requires a centimeter incision and a needle.
Dr. Hyun Bae is the first U.S. surgeon to test a new synthetic gel called the NuCore injectable nucleus. It's injected directly into the natural cushion of the disc.
"It's almost like a cushion in a Nike shoe. Instead of air it's a gel, it's a natural gel and when you start leaking that gel over time you can start to develop low back pain and it's pretty disabling, especially if you're young," Dr. Bae said.
For an FDA trial, Dr. Bae uses a gel made from two cloned natural substances. It's non-toxic and preliminary research shows it's durable.
When doctors inject the polymer it's completely liquid, but within minutes it turns into a spongy gel and that's what goes into the disc.
Jade went home the same day. If the research continues to be positive, Dr. Bae says injectable gels could be a first line treatment for degenerative disc disease. But it has to go through rigorous testing first.
"If it doesn't work and we couldn't relieve the pain at least we'll have better cushion there," Dr. Bae said.
"They're lovely, the doctors I'm with, and if it doesn't work, that's life, I'll just try something else," Gerard said.
FOX 11 News - "New Treatment Could Relieve Back Pain"
Click on the image below to watch the video:John Beard shows us a new procedure performed by Dr. Hyun Bae
that's giving some folks some much needed relief.
- FOX 11 News
(Click on the image above to watch FOX News video)
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The Spine Institute is often in the news pioneering new treatments to help the reported 34 million Americans 18 years and older who suffer lower back pain, and another 9 million who suffer neck pain. Watch the news coverage here.