Author: Dr. Stephen Courtney

When undergoing spine surgery, you want a physician who is experienced and highly trained in the most state-of-the-art techniques to help ensure a positive outcome for years to come. In order to provide increased stability of the spine after surgery, Dr. Courtney may use cervical spine instrumentation such as: · Anterior cervical plates · Posterior…

When considering spine surgery, it’s essential for every patient to do their due diligence in selecting the most qualified and experienced spine surgeon in their area. Following are some important points to consider when selecting your orthopedic spine surgeon: · Research the surgeon’s qualifications and experience – and don’t be shy about asking specific questions…

  A herniated disc is a common injury that can affect any part of the spine. People often refer to a herniated disc as a slipped or ruptured disc and typically are feeling pain in the neck, back, arms or legs. When the disc ruptures or herniates, part of the fluid or nucleus pushes through the…

The single most important person in the process of spine surgery is you, the patient.  Well-informed patients are more successful in following through on their rehabilitation and have better outcomes. The first step to a successful procedure is in knowing what to expect. Following is some useful information as you pursue the next steps of…

If you’re suffering from disc herniation or degeneration in the upper part of your spine (known as the cervical area), an Anterior Cervical Fusion (ACF) may be recommended. ACF involves surgically entering the front (anterior) of the neck and removing a damaged cervical disc. Implants of bone and/or metal are put in place of the…

A nerve root can become irritated from either a disc herniation or a bone spur, and when that happens, they can give you different patterns of symptoms radiating down your arm. An irritated nerve root can cause pain, numbness, tingling and even cause you to lose some of the strength of your arm. The most…

“Pain in the neck” is a metaphor that people commonly use when referring to something that’s an annoyance or inconvenience. But it’s also a very real physical pain that can cause extreme discomfort. Likewise, pain in the shoulder can be just as physically debilitating – and it’s often rooted in the same causes and conditions.…