by De Novo Brain & Spine Staff | Nov 9, 2026 | Blog
Sciatica and nerve compression are related, but they describe different things. Sciatica is a pattern of pain that travels into the buttock and leg, often from an irritated nerve root in the lower back. Nerve compression means physical pressure on a nerve or nerve...
by De Novo Brain & Spine Staff | Nov 2, 2026 | Blog
After a lumbar microdiscectomy, many people walk the day of surgery and go home that day or the next. Some return to desk work in about 2 to 4 weeks; demanding physical work usually takes longer. Leg pain may ease quickly, while numbness or weakness can take months to...
by De Novo Brain & Spine Staff | Oct 30, 2026 | Blog
A spinal cyst on an MRI does not automatically mean you need surgery. An operation may help when a cyst causes lasting pain that limits daily life or puts nerve or spinal-cord function at risk. New or worsening weakness can require faster care, without a long trial of...
by De Novo Brain & Spine Staff | Oct 27, 2026 | Blog
“Degenerative disc disease” on an MRI often describes changes that become more common with age. It does not, by itself, prove that a disc is causing pain or that treatment is needed. What matters is how the scan fits your symptoms and exam. Ongoing pain deserves...
by Dr. Larry Shannon | Oct 20, 2026 | Blog
There is no single lumbar fusion approach that is best for every patient. ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, and LLIF describe different routes to the disc space in the lower back. The right route depends on why fusion is being considered, where the problem is located, the spinal...
by Dr. Larry Shannon | Oct 12, 2026 | Blog
Quick Answer: Bulging Disc vs. Herniated Disc on MRI The main difference between a disc bulge and herniation on MRI is how the disc material extends beyond its normal boundary. A bulging disc on MRI typically shows a broad extension of disc tissue, while a herniated...
