C5-C6 Bulging Disc Symptoms: Do You Really Need Fusion? Here’s What the Evidence Says
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian Board Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on Jul 14, 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 ✓ A C5-C6 bulging disc is a protrusion […]
Spinal Fusion Recovery Timeline, What to Really Expect Week by Week
Your surgeon has told you that fusion is the answer. Maybe you have already scheduled the date, or maybe you are still turning it over at night, doing spinal fusion recovery research and hoping someone will lay out the full timeline honestly instead of in three reassuring sentences during a fifteen minute appointment. I am […]
Laminotomy vs Laminectomy: What’s the Difference and Why Neither May Be Your Best Option
Your surgeon just told you that you need a laminectomy or maybe a laminotomy, and now you’re staring at two words that sound almost identical, trying to figure out what’s actually going to happen to your spine. That confusion is common, and it matters, because these two procedures are not the same operation, and neither […]
Can You Treat Foraminal Stenosis Without Spinal Fusion? Yes, Here’s How
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MDBoard Certified Neurosurgeon Reviewed on July 9, 2026 Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Key Points ✓ Foraminal stenosis is narrowing of the neural foramen. The bony tunnel where a spinal nerve root exits the spine; […]
Disc Replacement Surgery vs. Fusion: What Your Surgeon May Not Be Telling You
By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Reviewed on July 8, 2026 Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Key Points ✓ Disc replacement surgery. Replaces a damaged spinal disc with an artificial implant that preserves motion, unlike a […]
High-Intensity Zone (HIZ) on Lumbar MRI: Causes, Meaning, and Treatment Options
By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Reviewed on July 7, 2026 Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Key Points ✓ A High-Intensity Zone (HIZ) is a bright, well-defined signal in the posterior annulus fibrosus of a lumbar […]
10 Best Neck Surgeons For Patients with Neck Pain in 2026
By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Published on July 2, 2026 Disclaimer: The medical information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. Consult with a spine specialist about specific spine conditions based on your MRI. Key Points ✓ 1 in 3 people in the U.S. experiences chronic neck pain. And if […]
Degenerative Disc Disease at L4-L5 and L5-S1, Is Surgery the Only Option?
If an MRI report just told you that you have degenerative disc disease at L4-L5 or L5-S1, you probably left that appointment with more questions than answers. Does this mean your back pain will only get worse? Does it mean fusion surgery is inevitable? I’ve spent over 30 years as a board certified neurosurgeon treating […]
Herniated Disc at C4-C5, Shoulder Pain, Deltoid Weakness, and Treatment
If you’ve been diagnosed with a herniated disc C4-C5, you’re probably dealing with shoulder pain and arm weakness that doesn’t quite match what most people picture when they think of a neck injury. There’s no numbness in your hand. Your grip is fine. What’s failing is your ability to lift your arm out to the […]
10 Best Endoscopic Spine Surgeons in the U.S. (2026)
By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Reviewed on July 1, 2026 Disclaimer: The infromation contained within this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Key Points ✓ Endoscopic Spine Surgery uses a 4-7 mm working cannula and a high-definition endoscope to decompress nerves via […]