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Expert insights on spine health, minimally invasive procedures, and patient recovery from the Deuk Spine Institute team.

Medical illustration comparing laminotomy and laminectomy procedures, highlighting targeted bone removal in laminotomy versus wider decompression during laminectomy for spinal stenosis or nerve compression.
Back Painlumbar SpineSpinal StenosisSpine Surgery
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…

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Man with highlighted spine and lower back pain next to text about foraminal stenosis treatment options.
Spinal StenosisSpine Health
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…

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A surgeon in scrubs and mask examines a spinal model next to text about disc replacement surgery.
Spinal FusionSpine Surgery
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…

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Diagram of a high-intensity zone in lumbar MRI with a person holding their lower back.
lumbar Spine
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…

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Surgeon in scrubs with mask, overlaid text about top neck surgeons for neck pain in 2026, with Deuk Spine Institute logo.
Best Spine Surgeons
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…

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Medical illustration of degenerative disc disease at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 spinal levels showing disc degeneration and nerve compression in the lower back.
Herniated Disc
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…

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Medical illustration of a C4-C5 herniated disc compressing a cervical nerve, highlighting common symptoms such as shoulder pain and deltoid muscle weakness.
Herniated Disc
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…

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Surgeon performs endoscopic spine procedure with a monitor displaying images, text highlights top surgeons in 2026 U.S.
Best Spine Surgeons
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…

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Woman with back pain and text about avoiding spine surgery through physical therapy, injections, or chiropractic care.
Spine HealthSpine Surgery
Can I Avoid Spine Surgery With Physical Therapy, Injections, or Chiropractic Care?

By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on June 30, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: The material contained…

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Spinal decompression surgery infographic with a labeled spine and text descriptions.
Back PainSpine Surgery
Spinal Decompression Surgery Explained

By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on June 25th 2026 Medical Disclaimer: The material contained…

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Person holding back with highlighted spine and facet joints, text reads "Facet Joint Pain Explained: The Cause of Up to 45% of Chronic Back Pain.
Back PainSpine Health
Facet Joint Pain Explained: The Cause of Up to 45% of Chronic Back Pain

By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on June 24, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: The information provided…

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Man on a sofa clutching his lower back in pain with text about pinched nerves.
lumbar Spine
Pinched Nerves in the Lower Back: Common causes, symptoms & Treatments

By Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian, MD Board Certified Neurosurgeon Medically reviewed on June 23, 2026 Medical Disclaimer: The information provided…

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