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When a damaged spinal disc causes persistent neck pain, arm pain, numbness, weakness, or spinal cord compression, surgery may be considered after nonsurgical treatments have not provided enough relief. Two common surgical options are artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion. Both procedures begin by removing the damaged disc and relieving pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. The main difference is what happens afterward: artificial disc replacement is designed to preserve motion, while spinal fusion permanently stabilizes the treated level.  Neither option is automatically better for every patient. The right choice depends on the location and severity of the spinal condition, the number of affected levels, spinal alignment, joint health, bone quality, and several other factors.

Hip pain does not always come from the hip joint itself. In some patients, pain around the hip, buttock, groin, or lower back may actually be coming from the sacroiliac joint , also called the SI joint . When this joint becomes inflamed or irritated, it can cause a condition called sacroiliitis , which may feel very similar to hip arthritis, sciatica, or a lumbar spine problem. Sacroiliitis can be difficult to recognize because the pain often overlaps with other common causes of hip and low back pain. Dr. Gandhi, the spine surgeon at Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery, treats patients experiencing sacroiliitis throughout Central Arkansas, including Conway, Hot Springs, and Little Rock, AR.

Neck pain with arm pain, hand numbness, or tingling may be caused by a pinched nerve in the neck. Learn about cervical radiculopathy, cervical stenosis, and ACDF surgery.

Learn whether herniated discs can heal without surgery, common symptoms, treatment options, recovery timelines, and when surgery may be necessary.

People with spinal stenosis may notice that their symptoms feel more intense when they walk. Read more to learn about the reasons why. Contact us for a consultation.

Compare spinal cord stimulators and pain medications for chronic pain management. Learn the benefits, limitations, and treatment considerations from Pinnacle Spine & Neurosurgery.

Many with persistent lower back pain assume the problem is from a disc, muscle strain, or sciatica. However, in some cases, the true source may be the SI joint.