Read Dr. Luis Tumialan's Blog

Neurogenic claudication is a common and often debilitating symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis. It typically presents as leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that worsens with walking or standing and improves with sitting or leaning forward. This condition results from compression of the spinal nerves in the lower back.  That pressure that can be relieved through a procedure known as a minimally invasive lumbar laminectomy.

Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) is a minimally invasive spinal procedure designed to treat a range of degenerative spinal conditions. By accessing the spine through a lateral approach, LLIF allows Dr. Tumialán to avoid major back muscles and structures, often resulting in reduced recovery time, less postoperative pain, and minimal blood loss compared to traditional open surgeries.
 

Back pain with associated leg pain is a common issue affecting millions of people.  For some, conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, or injections may not provide lasting relief. In cases of persistent or severe spinal conditions, surgical intervention may be necessary. One such procedure is Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS TLIF)—a spinal fusion surgery designed to stabilize the spine and alleviate pain caused by degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis.

If you're experiencing persistent neck or lower back pain in Scottsdale, Arizona, you might have heard about artificial disc replacement as a treatment option. But how do cervical and lumbar discs differ, and what does that mean for your spine health? Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.

If you're experiencing persistent neck or lower back pain in Scottsdale, Arizona, you might have heard about artificial disc replacement as a treatment option. But how do cervical and lumbar discs differ, and what does that mean for your spine health? Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about your treatment options.

Imagine a four-lane highway where all the cars are flowing smoothly along the road.  There are no disruptions, no barriers which allows all cars to travel the speed limit.  Now imagine the loss of one lane because of an accident and then the loss of another lane because construction.  The flow of traffic slows considerably.  No car can travel the speed limit.  Until the construction is complete and the accident cleared, there is a choke point.  The cars are tightly packed creeping along. The loss of two lanes of a four-lane highway explains the diagnosis of lumbar stenosis.

Living with chronic back pain caused by an unstable spine can significantly impact your daily life and well-being. Spinal fusion is a highly effective surgical procedure designed to decompress the nerves in the spine and stabilize an unstable segment. When facing a degenerative condition that requires surgery, understanding the procedure and recovery process eases concerns and helps you prepare for the journey ahead.

Back pain causing radiating pain into one leg or both is one of the most common health complaints, often due to spinal issues such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or degenerative disc disease.  Physical therapy and injections are always first line methods.  But when nonoperative treatments fail to alleviate the pain, surgical intervention is an option. For patients with compression of the nerves in their lumbar spine, a lumbar laminectomy will alleviate that compression.  There are several ways to perform a laminectomy.   A traditional midline approach is still commonly done in several centers.  A minimally invasive approach offers numerous benefits over traditional open surgery. Dr. Luis M. Tumialán provides expert insight into the advantages of this advanced surgical technique and how it can improve outcomes for patients.

With so much going on around the holiday season, it’s not surprising that this time of year can bring about a certain level of stress. Stress can be one of the elements that lead to back pain. Do yourself a favor this year, and follow a few simple tips to ensure that you’re still enjoying all that this time of year has to offer, but without any unnecessary pain. Here are a few simple ways to reduce back pain and stress during one of the busiest times of the year.

The physiology of the spine is fairly complex. Most people are aware that it’s comprised of a column of building blocks called vertebrae, and between each vertebra is a gel-filled disc that helps the spine to flex,  bend and absorb impact, like shock absorbers in a car The vertebrae have openings on each side called foramen, or neuroforamen. The spinal nerves pass through these openings, traveling from the spinal cord and out to various parts of your body.