Spinal fusion surgery isn’t what it is used to be. As with any surgery, the decision to undergo spinal fusion surgery should be made carefully in consultation with an experienced spine surgeon. However, if you have a parent or loved one who underwent spinal fusion decades ago, know that you will likely have a very different experience, thanks to recent advances in surgical techniques.…

Like most other body parts, the spine changes as we age. The discs in the spine – which act like shock absorbers between the vertebrae -- can show wear and tear. Like gray hair or wrinkles, these changes affect almost everyone who lives long enough. But when they cause pain or other symptoms, the medical diagnosis could be degenerative disc disease.…

2021 was another strange year, but that didn’t keep Drs. Blumenthal, Guyer, Shellock, and Zigler, co-directors of the Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery, from continuing their research and educational activities involving spine arthroplasty.…

When it comes to disc replacement surgery, we get a lot of questions. In this article Dr. Richard Guyer, orthopedic spine surgeon and co-director of the Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about total disc replacement surgery.…

If you find yourself saying, “Oh my nagging back!” … or … “I can’t take this neck pain anymore!”—and more conservative forms of treatment are no longer working—you may want to find a spine specialist nearby to discuss your back or neck surgery options. In order to get the most out of your appointment, why not come prepared with a list of questions? We asked Jessica Shellock, M.D., a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon with the Center for Disc Replacement at Texas Health Center for Diagnostics & Surgery, to share 10 essential questions to help you get started.…

Dr. Rey Bosita, an orthopedic spine surgeon and member of the Texas Health Center for Diagnostics and Surgery medical staff shares 7 tips to help women avoid back pain.…

Dr. Peter Derman, spine surgeon on the medical staff, shares some expert insight on risk factors for back and spine injuries, how to prevent and treat them, and whether weightlifting is safe for kids.…