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Spine Blog

Learn about Spine Conditions and Treatments

Get insights on common back and spine conditions and the revolutionary treatments that change lives from the back and spine experts at Desert Spine and Pain with the nation's leading spine neurosurgeon, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD.

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Spine Conditions

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Why Would You Need Spinal Fusion Surgery?

Why would you need spinal fusion surgery? The conditions, signs, and red flags that lead to fusion, plus when it is truly necessary and when it is not. ...more

Surgery

October 13, 2026•16 min read

Who Performs Nerve Ablation? The Specialists Behind the Procedure

Nerve ablation is done by fellowship-trained interventional pain and spine specialists. Learn who performs it, how to choose one, and what to expect. ...more

Pain

October 13, 2026•12 min read

Spine Impairment Ratings Explained: How They're Determined and Why They Matter

A spine impairment rating is a doctor-assigned percentage of permanent loss. See how the AMA Guides determine it and why it drives your injury claim. ...more

Legal

October 12, 2026•19 min read

Why Spinal Fluid Leaks Can Happen After Back Surgery

A spinal fluid leak after back surgery usually comes from a small tear in the dura. Learn why it happens, who is at risk, the symptoms, and how it is treated. ...more

Surgery

October 12, 2026•16 min read

Which Vertebrae Affect Which Nerves? A Spinal Nerve Guide

Which vertebrae affect which nerves? A clear spinal nerve guide mapping every level, C1 to the sacrum, to the body parts and symptoms it controls. ...more

Body

October 11, 2026•20 min read

When Is Back Pain Considered Chronic?

Back pain is considered chronic once it lasts longer than 12 weeks. Learn the acute vs. chronic timeline, what causes it, and when to see a specialist. ...more

Pain

October 11, 2026•15 min read

What Type of Doctor Should You See for Cervical Radiculopathy?

Which doctor should you see for cervical radiculopathy? Compare physiatrists, neurologists, pain specialists, and spine surgeons, and when to see each. ...more

Conditions

October 10, 2026•15 min read

How Much Does Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Cost? A 2026 Price Breakdown

Radiofrequency ablation costs about $732 to $5,962 in cash, averaging $3,596. See what drives the price, what insurance covers, and how to get an accurate quote. ...more

Finance

October 10, 2026•16 min read

What Is a Vertebral Corpectomy? Procedure and Purpose

A vertebral corpectomy removes a spinal vertebra to free the spinal cord. Learn the procedure, its purpose, how it differs from a discectomy, risks, and recovery. ...more

Surgery

October 09, 2026•14 min read

What Is a Cervical Corpectomy? How the Procedure Works

A cervical corpectomy removes a neck vertebra to free the spinal cord. Learn how the procedure works, how it differs from ACDF, risks, and recovery. ...more

Surgery

October 09, 2026•14 min read

What Is SI Joint Fusion? How the Procedure Works

SI joint fusion permanently joins the sacroiliac joint to ease pain. Learn how the procedure works, who is a candidate, recovery, and how it differs. ...more

Surgery

October 08, 2026•12 min read

What Is an Annular Tear? How It Differs From a Herniated Disc

An annular tear is a crack in the tough outer ring of a spinal disc. Learn what it is, how it differs from a herniated disc, symptoms, and treatment. ...more

Conditions

October 08, 2026•14 min read

Whiplash Injury Statistics (2026): Prevalence, Recovery, and What the Data Shows

Whiplash injury statistics for 2026: about 2.3 million cases a year, who's most at risk, recovery rates, and why symptoms don't match crash severity. ...more

Injuries

August 06, 2026•11 min read

Spinal Fusion Settlement Value Statistics (2026): Payouts, Levels, and Value Drivers

Spinal fusion settlement statistics for 2026: personal injury vs. workers' comp ranges, single vs. multi-level values, cervical vs. lumbar, and value drivers. ...more

Legal

August 06, 2026•12 min read

Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Worldwide (2026): Global Prevalence, Disparities, and Projections

Spinal cord injury statistics worldwide for 2026: 14.5 to 15.4 million people live with SCI globally, plus regional disparities and projections to 2050. ...more

Conditions

August 06, 2026•9 min read

Spinal Cord Injury Prevalence Statistics (2026): How Many People Live With SCI

Spinal cord injury prevalence statistics for 2026: about 308,620 Americans and 15.4 million people worldwide live with SCI, and why the number keeps rising. ...more

Conditions

August 06, 2026•10 min read

Spinal Cord Injury Lifetime Cost Statistics (2026): Costs by Severity and Age

Spinal cord injury lifetime cost statistics for 2026: from $2.1M to over $6.2M by severity and age, with first-year and recurring costs, from NSCISC data. ...more

Finance

August 05, 2026•10 min read

Spinal Cord Injury Employment Statistics (2026): Return-to-Work Rates and What Drives Them

Spinal cord injury employment statistics for 2026: about 35% work after injury, only 12% return to their pre-injury job, plus the factors that predict work. ...more

Legal

August 05, 2026•10 min read

Soft Tissue Injury Car Accident Statistics (2026): The Invisible Injury That Dominates Crashes

Soft tissue injury car accident statistics for 2026: they make up over half of all crash injuries, why they don't show on X-rays, and recovery data. ...more

Injuries

August 05, 2026•11 min read

Rear-End Collision Injury Statistics (2026): The Most Common Crash and Its Toll

Rear-end collision injury statistics for 2026: the most common crash type, its injury profile, why whiplash dominates claims, and what the data shows. ...more

Injuries

August 05, 2026•9 min read

Personal Injury Lawsuit Statistics (2026): Trial Rates, Dismissals, and Duration

Personal injury lawsuit statistics for 2026: how many are filed, dismissal and trial rates, plaintiff win rates, litigation duration, and defense costs. ...more

Legal

August 05, 2026•11 min read

Personal Injury Claim Statistics (2026): Volume, Success Rates, and Outcomes

Personal injury claim statistics for 2026: how many claims are filed, payout and success rates, claim types, resolution times, and what improves outcomes. ...more

Legal

August 04, 2026•11 min read

Personal Injury Settlement vs. Trial Statistics (2026): The Data Behind the Decision

Personal injury settlement vs. trial statistics for 2026: how often cases settle, trial win rates, how verdicts compare to settlements, and the risk tradeoff. ...more

Legal

August 04, 2026•12 min read

Medical Expert Witness and Deposition Statistics (2026): Costs, Fees, and Impact

Medical expert witness and deposition statistics for 2026: expert fees by task, deposition costs, total case spend, and how expert testimony shapes outcomes. ...more

Legal

August 04, 2026•12 min read