The DISC Team

Dealing with back pain caused by disc degeneration and herniation has long been a challenge. For years, surgeons have been using various techniques to address these issues, with the operating microscope being a crucial tool. However, a game-changing evolution is happening in spinal surgery thanks to a device that’s been around for a while — […]

Spinal injuries can wreak havoc on your life, impacting your organs, motor functions or senses. They must be handled with prompt medical attention to prevent lasting damage. Speak with your doctor if you notice any peculiar symptoms, such as those caused by myelopathy. Myelopathy is a common spinal cord condition that can limit a person’s […]

Medical tourism is an ideal solution for those seeking more affordable and accessible health care. If you’re facing challenges in obtaining the orthopedic care or surgery you need, you may be able to find the appropriate treatment in another state or country.

Back pain, especially lower back pain (LBP), is widespread. Almost everyone will experience back pain as an acute episode or chronic condition during their lifetimes. In fact, up to 23% of adults worldwide have chronic low back pain.

Have you recently seen a spine specialist who recommended spine fusion surgery? Did you walk away from the appointment asking yourself, do I need a fusion, and are there alternative, less invasive surgeries?

You may be planning a road trip as a fun excursion, envisioning the freedom of driving off into the sunset. Or, the trip may be a necessity to get from point A to point B. Either way, it’s important to prioritize back pain relief as you journey to your destination. In this article, you’ll find several tips for reducing lower back pain when sitting in a car.

There are numerous innovative treatments for pinched nerves in the back. Pinched nerves develop when excess pressure is placed on a nerve from surrounding structures, including herniated disc, cartilage or boney spurs.

Have you been suffering from neck pain, and your spine surgeon has offered to perform a neck fusion surgery or an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)?

Cervical artificial disc replacement or cervical total disc arthroplasty is an innovative surgical procedure that removes a damaged degenerative disc and replaces it with an artificial disc. The artificial disc was designed to preserve motion in your neck.

Living with neck pain is never easy. Neck pain can severely impact our daily work and activities. Neck pain is the fourth leading cause of disability, with about 30 percent of people experiencing neck pain yearly. When conservative treatment fails to provide relief, there is good evidence that cervical neck surgery effectively relieves neck pain.

By Nima Salari, MD While sports provide an excellent way to stay active and exercise regularly, they can also pose the risk of injuries. Repetitive motions or recessive strain on the back and neck may increase a person's risk of developing an injury. Read our guide on common sporting accidents and how to prevent sports injuries.

By Nima Salari, MD Sciatica is a common condition causing pain, numbness and tingling sensations. It's a form of nerve pain stemming from the compression of the sciatic nerve. You may hear sciatica referred to as lumbar pain or lumbar radiculopathy. Learn how to identify sciatica and how to relieve sciatica pain with simple practices and stretches.

By Nima Salari, M.D. Chronic back or neck pain can develop due to numerous conditions. In many cases, unhealthy or damaged intervertebral discs cause chronic back pain. These spinal discs provide a layer of cushion between the vertebrae and help absorb pressure and stress placed on the spine. When these spinal discs experience damage during an accident or become unhealthy with age, the vertebrae may come into direct contact, causing discomfort. Fortunately, innovative treatments and artificial disc replacement surgery are available to improve these unpleasant symptoms.

By Dr. Nima Salari In this video, Dr. Nima Salari describes endoscopic spine surgery, its benefits, and why patients prefer these types of surgical procedures. Endoscopic spine surgery is the least invasive surgery category made up of endoscopic discectomy, endoscopic rhizotomy, and endoscopic foraminoplasty. Each of these procedures is performed through a 1/4 inch incision with an HD endoscope and attached camera. The surgeries can be achieved with the patient under conscious sedation.

By Nima Salari, MD Lumbar laminectomy surgery is one of the most common decompressive spine surgeries performed daily in operating rooms across the world. However, not every laminectomy surgery is performed the same way by each surgeon. There are various developing techniques that we spine surgeons use to treat patients who suffer from back and leg pain. In my practice, I have listened countless times to how life-altering this pain can be on their work and active lifestyle. In the lower back, (lumbar spine) the spinal cord or dura within the spinal canal can become compressed causing significant pain. This is often referred to as spinal stenosis.

By Nima Salari, MD When caring for a patient with neck or back pain, the caretaker faces emotional and at times physical challenges. It is difficult to watch a loved one experience pain symptoms. Many times being unsure of how to provide help can generate further anxiety about the situation. Know that as a caregiver you are not alone. In fact, statistically, a broad majority of long-term care for patients in the United States is provided by their family members. Know that you are appreciated and here are some tips to perhaps make the journey a bit lighter.

Having surgery is a major step for any patient. Even with the shortest and simplest of surgeries, patients should follow instructions as discussed with their surgeon. This is a time to focus on healing and completing the plan set out with your care provider.

By Nima Salari, MD As surgeons we are always looking for ways to improve the care we provide. An often overlooked yet equally important factor are the steps taken prior to even setting foot in the operative suite. Pre-operative planning is a factor that was stressed heavily during residency and fellowship, but as technological improvements are made in the implants and instruments, seldom has anyone sought to improve the way in which pre-op planning is performed. As trends have shown, patients today want individualized care, customized implants, and concierge medicine.

By Nima Salari, MD The recent introduction of 3-D-printed and patient-matched pedicle screw guides has modernized spine surgery planning and procedures. The process for this patient-matched approach provides for an efficient and effective technique that reduces radiation exposure and can save hospitals and health systems on expenditures for capital purchases, such as navigation systems or CT-scanning technology. In addition, surgeons are less reliant today on free-hand techniques than they once were.

By Nima Salari, MD Often patients ask me whether physical therapy is necessary before or after surgery. Although some conditions that cause severe debilitating pain may not respond to therapy right away, patients find a degree of relief in most cases. We typically do not exercise enough and when we do, many of us use poor form or do not do the correct exercises.

Is back or neck pain holding you back from golfing, biking, tennis, hiking, or some other fun activity? Dr. Nima Salari is here to help. Dr. Salari appeared on the Social Station Arizona to speak about how to treat your back and neck pain and when to consult a spine surgeon.

Dr. Nima Salari was interviewed by Channel 3 News on how our high-tech life can wreak havoc on our posture and our health and gives some tips on how to counter bad habits that come with increased phone and computer usage.

By Nima Salari, MD One of the most common reasons for a doctor visit is low back pain. The majority of people experience pain in their lower back at some point in their lifetime. If you’re experiencing pain, you are not alone. Here are three tips to get you back into action.

Congratulations to Dr. Anthony Yeung, who has been selected by the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) to receive the 2012 Kambin Award.