Herniated Disc at L4-L5: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Your lower back has been sending signals for months. Maybe it started as a dull ache that came and went, then became something you could not sleep through. You’ve been told you have a herniated disc at L4-L5, and now you’re trying to figure out what that actually means, what’s causing your symptoms, and whether […]
Herniated Disc at C5-C6: Neck Pain, Arm Symptoms, and Surgical Options
If you have a herniated disc at C5-C6, you already know the pain has a way of taking over your life. The neck stiffness that greets you every morning. The shooting pain down your arm that flares when you turn your head the wrong way. The numbness in your thumb and index finger that makes […]
Laser Spine Surgery in New York City: What Manhattan and Brooklyn Patients Should Know
Your back pain has been going on for months. You’ve done the physical therapy, the epidural injections, maybe even a second opinion from a spine specialist on Fifth Avenue. And the answer you keep getting is the same one: spinal fusion, a long recovery, and no guarantee the pain actually goes away. If you’re a […]
Laminectomy Risks, Failure Rates, and Why It Misses the Source of Back Pain
Every year, hundreds of thousands of patients in the United States are recommended for laminectomy. The surgery is presented as a solution to back pain, leg pain, and the nerve compression that imaging reveals. For some patients, it delivers meaningful relief. For many others, the pain returns, compounds, or never fully resolves, and they find […]
Disc Protrusion — Back Surgery Diagnosis and Prevention
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine Institute Medically reviewed on April 1, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Key Points ✓ Disc protrusion is one of the most common forms of disc […]
Spine Pain and Pain Management for Your Spine
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine Institute Medically reviewed on April 2, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Key points ✓ Spine pain can come from discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, nerves, posture, injury, or degenerative […]
Stem Cell Therapy for Spine: What the Evidence Actually Shows for Herniated Discs
Patients ask me about stem cell therapy for spine and herniated discs more than almost any other alternative to surgery. The question usually comes with a version of the same hope: that injecting the right biological material into a damaged disc might repair it without an operation. After over 30 years performing spine surgery and […]
ACDF Alternative: Cervical Spine Surgery Options That Preserve Your Motion
You have been told you need ACDF, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Maybe a surgeon reviewed your MRI, pointed to a herniated disc, and explained that removing the disc and fusing the vertebrae above and below it is your best option. Before you accept that recommendation, you deserve to understand what fusion actually does to […]
Disc Displacement: Types, Treatments, Recovery Time, Risks, and Benefits of Surgery
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine Institute Medically reviewed on March 25, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Key Points Before diving into the details, […]
Neck Pain Management: Best Treatments for Neck Pain
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results may vary. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific condition and treatment options. Neck pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints in the world. According to a landmark 2024 analysis published in The Lancet […]