A new study appearing in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS) links the use of opioid pain relievers (prescription medications such as Percocet, Hydrocodone, OxyContin and Vicodin) to less improvement and higher levels of dissatisfaction following spine surgery. In this study, 326 out of 583 (56 percent) patients reported some degree of opioid use prior to elective lumbar, [...]
It’s just a fact of life: as we age, our bodies just don’t work like they used to. And for millions, back pain is a common complaint. It’s not unusual for those suffering from back pain seek advice from family or friends before going to a doctor. Referrals can be great, but advice seeking can [...]
If your doctor is recommending a surgical treatment for pain from a spine condition, here are 6 important questions to ask before you undergo surgery. Do you know the specific cause of my pain? Make sure that your doctor has found a well-defined source of pain that shows up on an MRI and through a [...]
The Bonati Spine Institute received this message through our Facebook page: "With surgery, will the weakness in my calf go away? I’m wondering if strength in that muscle will return." To answer this question, we first needed to know more about the condition of the gentleman asking the question. He told us a recent MRI showed [...]
https://youtu.be/DT6HRpimcMQ?list=PLe_rtDSDrqHPZeBMJRCaXjksaHlWy2xQF Years after a previous spine surgery, when pain started creeping back up, Neil realized it was time to look for more help. So after hearing about the Bonati Spine Institute, he did some research and scheduled an appointment. Watch Neil's story above and if you too are looking for pain relief, allow the Bonati [...]
Chronic low back pain and depression are two of the most common health problems that health professionals encounter, yet only a handful of studies have investigated the relationship between these conditions in the general population. Major depression is thought to be four times greater in people with chronic back pain than in the general population. [...]
We mention often at the Bonati Spine Institute that fusions fail over 50% of the time. Because of this we recommend avoiding fusions if at all possible. Below is an example of one study explaining why a patient may want to think twice when considering a fusion procedure. Sweden-based Uppsala University's Swedish Spinal Stenosis Study included [...]
Many of the patients at the Bonati Spine Institute travel into the Tampa Bay area from both near and far. No matter if you’re coming from another coast or simply the other coast of Florida, it is important that you and your travel companions have somewhere to rest before and after the procedure. Whether you’re [...]
Walking each day can help improve your health both emotionally and physically. If you are feeling stressed out, don’t reach for the chips. Instead, reach for your sneakers and go for a walk. Not only will you clear you head, but you will also burn a few calories! Additionally, walking can go beyond just that [...]
When you experience back pain, you probably refer to it simply as back pain. However, it is important to understand that there could be more to it than just pain. Foraminal narrowing is a spinal condition that occurs slowly and gradually. During this slow process, a person might experience pain, numbness, and tingling, in and [...]
