New Research in Spinal Cord Injury

New Research in Spinal Cord Injury

Over 15,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCI) occur each year in the United States. The outcome depends on the severity and location of the injury, resulting in either partial of complete loss of sensory and/or motor function. Partial paralysis occurs about 40% of the time, and complete paralysis about 60% of the time. If a…

This is NOT Healthy, and Unlikely a Path to Wellness!

This is NOT Healthy, and Unlikely a Path to Wellness!

In 2021, Cosmopolitan magazine posted multiple “covers”, under the cloak, “11 women who prove wellness isn’t ‘one size fits all’”. From the Baroque period to about 1910, obesity was perceived as a sign of wealth and attractiveness. Renoir famously painted numerous “Bathers” scenes of obese individuals into the late 1800s. However it was “Rubenesque” full-figured…

So easy a caveman could do it?

“So Easy a Caveman Could Do it?”

It’s difficult to predict the persona of a caveman, however my impression would be a pretty tough cookie. I picture someone really living in a cave, wearing an animal hide of sorts, probably carrying a club, and likely with a bone through their nose… just like the Geico commercials or the Flintstones. I sense the…

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Chocolate

The Perfect Valentine’s Day Chocolate

February 14th. Valentine’s Day…. The Perfect Valentine’s Day Chocolate. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different Saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyred. Some think the day commemorates one of the Valentines’ death. However, others think the middle of February was chosen to challenge the pagan celebration of the Roman god…

New Understanding of GBM Origins

New Understanding of GBM Origins

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadly brain tumor in adults. We still do not know exactly how GBMs form, or why they universally recur. It was previously thought that glial cells (astrocytes) were the only type of cell that could proliferate in the brain, so GBMs must start from these cells. However,…

Mild COVID-19 and Strokes

Mild COVID-19 and Strokes

Much has been discussed about the respiratory complications of COVID-19.  However there is suggestion of neurologic sequela from the infection as well. SARS-CoV-2 has been found to directly invade brain cells, called neurons.  However unlike other coronaviruses which can cause brain inflammation, called encephalopathy, mild COVID-19 tends not to incite this reaction.  Of interest, patients…

Injections for Back Pain… But It's Going Under My Skin?

Injections for Back Pain… But It’s Going Under My Skin?

Previous large studies have suggested that epidural steroid injections provide some short-term alleviation of radiating pain associated with disc herniations or spinal stenosis.  Since a disc herniation has a natural history of improvement, it’s reasonable to consider epidural steroid injections to suppress symptoms while the body heals itself.  Of course for other conditions which seem…

Time to Move On

Time to Move On

It’s time to move on, time to get going What lies ahead, I have no way of knowing But under my feet, baby, grass is growing It’s time to move on, it’s time to get going Tom Petty “Time To Move On” Great advancements in lumbar spine surgery have allowed better outcomes than ever before…