Two types of material when present in the spinal column were the spinal nerve roots and spinal cord membranes are located (epidural space) produce severe scarring. Most scar producing is the presence of nucleus pulposus, which is the soft central part of the spinal discs. The next scar producing material is presence of blood in this space. Both of these materials are released in large quantities with lumbar laminectomy and open discectomy.

A herniated lumbar disc can press on the nerves in the spine and may cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness of the leg, called sciatica. Most patients (80% - 90%) with an acute lumbar disc herniation improve without surgery. Surgery is less effective in relieving back pain, but for some patients, especially those with leg pain, surgery may be recommended. Surgery removes part of the herniated disc through a small incision, relieving the pressure on the nerve.

Post-surgical patients are well served by rehab but must be careful not to disrupt the surgical repair. For a simple laminectomy/discectomy the soft tissues are usually well healed and able to withstand maximum work-outs after 8 weeks. Until that point patients are placed in our sub-maximal program. Proper exercise during the post operative period, while the soft tissues are still healing, can influence the way in which the collagen is laid down.

Lumbar Endoscopic Discectomy (LED) is recommended to treat herniated/protruded lumbar discs with or without annular tears and degenerative disc disease. This procedure is performed endoscopically with a small probe, under local anesthesia and there is no incision. Dr. Schiffer often combines the LED procedure with Thermal Annuloplasty procedure. Microdiscectomy is recommended to treat sequestered free fragment and bone spurs in the lumbar region.

Laminectomy is removal of the back side of the spinal canal under which lie the nerve tissues. This provides access to the nerves and the discs for specific treatment. When commonly performed in the "low back" or lumbar spine this may actually be below the level of the spinal cord itself. A laminectomy is, in the strictest sense, the removal of the lamina or roof of the spine.

All surgical procedures have potential risks and possible complications and those associated with selective endoscopic discectomy™ surgery are similar but much less common than following open back surgery. The most common complications are: persistent nerve root pain either due to minor manipulation of the nerve or regeneration of the nerve that was damaged prior to surgery.

This may occur when you left the program running and did not log off. When this occurs, simply restart your machine. You will then be able to start the Play65™ software again by double clicking on the Play65™ icon which is placed on your desktop.

CWD is relatively rare. In Colorado, for example, fewer than 200 cases, mostly in mule deer, have been documented since 1981. In checking hunter-harvested animals, less than 6% of deer and 1% of elk in north-central and northeastern Colorado were found to have CWD. Similar surveillance in southeastern Wyoming also indicated that less than 7% of deer had CWD. Deer and elk checked outside these areas in Colorado and Wyoming did not have CWD.

The incisions are so tiny, that any scarring is not seen. Most patients can barely see their incisions four to six weeks following surgery. Compared to the “railroad tracks” associated with traditional vein stripping, the scars are practically non-existent.

Laser vision correction reshapes the cornea, which contains no blood vessels. Without blood vessels, there is no bleeding or clotting. Because of this, the cornea heals very differently than do other parts of the body. It is possible that a small, microscopic amount of scarring may occur after the surgery. However, it can only be seen by a microscope and will not affect your vision.

Most definitely. Open discectomy is generally done by laminectomy or hemilaminectomy, which requires removal of part of the posterior cage of the spinal canal. Then access to the disc is obtained once this section of bone and its underlying ligamentous are removed. The annulus fibrous that is the tough fibrous portion of the disc is taken out in small pieces and the herniated segment of the disc is removed in a similar manner.

Life-threatening allergic reactions are very rare. Signs of serious allergic reaction can include breathing problems, hoarseness or wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. If they do occur, it is within a few minutes to a few hours after the shot. These reactions are more likely to occur among persons with a severe allergy to eggs, because the viruses used in the influenza vaccine are grown in hens' eggs.

Lumbar instability involves excessive motion between vertebral segments. This motion may be caused by spinal fractures, tumors, infection, scoliosis or other bony abnormalities that weaken the architecture of the spine. When severe, the instability can cause incapacitating deformity or pain as a result of the structural changes. Instability can also lead to damage or inflammation of the nerve roots. Disc degeneration may cause more subtle instability and produce pain from repetitive motion.

If your baby is at risk of infection (for example if your baby is premature or the waters broke around baby at least 24 hours before delivery) or he/she is unwell a lumbar puncture may be included as part of the infection screen. A lumbar puncture is typically done to look for meningitis, an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Although meningitis is a rare occurrence it is important to detect and treat the condition as soon as possible.

BSE was first observed in Great Britain in April 1985 and was officially diagnosed in 1986. By June 1990, some 14,000 cases were confirmed (out of an estimated population of 10 million cattle) in Great Britain. Since 1986, more than 185,000 cases of BSE have been confirmed in Great Britain. The epidemic peaked in 1992-93 at almost 1,000 new cases per week. Control measures have since reduced incidence of the disease, and currently fewer than 100 new cases are reported per week.