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Board-Certified Spine Surgeon: Why Fellowship Training Changes Everything

Group of five smiling medical professionals in scrubs and lab coats stand together.

Your back pain has sent you to three different doctors. The orthopedic surgeon recommended fusion. The pain management doctor offered injections. Your primary care physician suggested physical therapy. Three board-certified physicians. Three completely different diagnoses. Same MRI. I know this frustration because after 20 years performing spine surgery exclusively, I’ve examined thousands of patients who […]

C5-C6-C7 Neck Surgery: Complete Guide to Recovery Time, Surgical Options & Treatment Outcomes

Man touching neck with C5-C6-C7 spinal diagram overlay, illustrating neck surgery recovery.

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD | Board-Certified Spine SurgeonMedically Reviewed: January 8, 2026Last Updated: January 8, 2026Reading Time: 20 minutes 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. The C5-C6-C7 cervical […]

Understanding Pinched Nerves: Comprehensive Guide to Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Diagram of a lower back showing a pinched nerve due to herniated disc.

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MDBoard-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine InstituteMedically reviewed on January 7, 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. Pinched nerves (compressed nerve roots), medically termed radiculopathy, affect […]

C6-C7 Disc Herniation: Causes, Symptoms, and Advanced Treatment Options

C6-C7 Disc Herniation MRI Showing Cervical Spine Compression

Key Points ✓ C6-C7 is the most commonly herniated disc level in the cervical spine, responsible for 45–60% of all cervical disc herniations. ✓ A C6-C7 herniation compresses the C7 nerve root, causing burning pain down the back of the arm into the middle finger, triceps weakness, and reduced grip strength. ✓ 75–90% of patients […]

Neck Surgery: Types, Recovery Timeline, and Modern Treatment Options

Four surgeons in scrubs operating in a green-tiled surgery room.

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Neurosurgeon, Deuk Spine InstituteMedically reviewed on January 5, 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. Chronic neck pain affects millions of Americans every […]

Facet Hypertrophy: Common Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Options

Diagram showcasing facet hypertrophy along with other conditions like Disc herniation, spondylolisthesis and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.

Facet hypertrophy, or facet joint hypertrophy, occurs when the small joints in your spine enlarge due to degenerative changes, typically from arthritis or wear and tear. These joints help stabilize your spine and guide movement, but when they become enlarged, they can cause back pain, stiffness, and in some cases, compress nearby spinal nerves, leading […]

How to Choose the Best Spine Surgeon in Florida: 2026 Patient Guide

A picture of a surgeon conducting surgery.

Medically Reviewed by: Ara Deukmedjian, MDBoard-Certified Neurosurgeon | Over 2,000 Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures PerformedLast Updated: January 2026 When chronic back or neck pain disrupts your life, choosing the right spine surgeon becomes one of the most important healthcare decisions you’ll ever make. With Florida home to some of the nation’s leading spine specialists and […]

Back Braces: Help or Harm? An Evidence-Based Guide to Safe and Effective Use

Women wearing back brace bending over in pain

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD | Board-Certified Spine SurgeonMedically Reviewed: December 31, 2024Last Updated: December 31, 2024Reading Time: 15 minutes Back braces are everywhere, from gyms to workplaces, and they’re recommended for everything from posture correction to chronic back pain. But do they actually help, or can they cause harm? The answer depends on several […]

L5-S1 Disc Herniation: A Surgeon’s Guide to Symptoms, Exercises, and Permanent Relief

Hands pointing to L5-S1 on a lumbar spine model with a pen.

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian Board-Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on December 30, 2025 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 ✓ The L5-S1 disc sits at the lumbosacral junction and […]

Facet Joint Disease: A Comprehensive Medical Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management

Illustration of spinal facet joints, vertebra, and intervertebral discs.

By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD Board-Certified Spine Surgeon, Deuk Spine Institute Medically reviewed on December 29, 2025 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 conditions and treatment options. Understanding a Common Source of Chronic […]