Release March 8, 2016 VSI is honored to receive national recognition as one of the Top 150 Great Places to Work in Healthcare 2016 by Becker’s Hospital Review. Healthcare organizations that submitted nominations were considered as well as those that previously garnered national, state or local recognition for workplace excellence. Virginia Spine Institute has previously earned “Top Places…
The goals of modern spinal surgery are to maximize patient function and accelerate a return to a full life. As spinal surgery has evolved, more focus has been placed on minimizing trauma to the body during surgery and expediting a return to function through the use of minimally invasive techniques. The era of modern spinal surgery has blossomed over…
Quite simply put, using nicotine is the worst thing you can do to your spine. Smoking and vaping kills the little blood vessels that deliver oxygen to your body causing you to age faster. Smoking kills your discs causing back pain. Smoking also increases the receptors in your brain that cause you to feel pain. Yes,…
We’ve all been there – you bend your back suddenly and a familiar twinge rises to the surface. Although pain is a normal part of life, at what point does it need to be addressed by a doctor? Pain can be placed into two categories: acute and chronic. The distinction between the two can mean…
Series Recap: When it comes to spinal fusions, even for the same condition and for similar patients, it is critical to note that all spinal fusions are not created equal. There are many ways to go about fusing a single level of the spine, mainly related to the direction that the surgeon uses to approach the spine and…
Series Recap I can understand how the recommendation for a spinal fusion may be one of the most frightening things a patient can hear. There is a lot of misinformation regarding spinal fusions, but it is my responsibility to help the patient understand that a spinal fusion may offer a better qualify of life, rather…
It has been established that many of the patients I see, especially for a second opinion, are successfully cared for without surgical intervention. Sometimes, however, I will recommend surgery to patients if I feel it offers the greatest chance of resuming normal activities. This does not mean the only option is a spinal fusion! In spinal care the…
For Immediate Release February 2016: VSI is honored to have our nationally-recognized Spine Surgeons included in Northern Virginia Magazine’s Top Doctors 2016. Congratulations to Dr. Schuler and Dr. Good on this notable accomplishment. Dr. Schuler and Dr. Good were listed in both “Spine Surgery” and “Orthopedic Surgery”. Northern Virginia Magazine recognizes the region’s best physicians through peer nominations and a panel of head doctors in…
“This is the end of my life…I will never be able to do anything again…” This reaction is an all too common and, in many cases, unnecessary first reaction many patients have when speaking to their doctor about back or neck pain. Let’s face it – we would all like to live our lives without…
At this point in your treatment journey, you’ve likely consulted with your doctor, completed preoperative requirements, and perhaps already undergone a spinal fusion surgery – now what? One aspect of surgery many doctors fail to emphasize is the postoperative recovery process. Taking care of your fusion during the recovery period is just as important as the surgery itself….
