Blog Archive

We’ve got good news if you’re struggling with a neck hump that’s becoming too obvious to ignore. There are ways to prevent or reverse the process and eliminate the discomfort it can cause. Check our tips for getting rid of a neck hump. 

Most would agree that pregnancy includes a long list of new things to learn. Adding joint health to your research may seem like a step too far. But what if the benefits of supporting joint health during pregnancy are well worth the effort?   

Spinal fusion surgery is often considered the “last resort” for debilitating back or neck pain that hasn’t responded adequately to conservative treatments. Fortunately, today’s minimally invasive procedures make recovery easier than you might think.

You could call hips the unsung heroes of our body's mobility. They’re involved in most of your daily movements, from standing, walking, and running to sitting at a desk all day. Targeted stretches can help keep your hips moving like they should.

While often necessary and highly effective, joint replacement surgery is a significant medical procedure that we do our best to help you avoid. Check recommendations from our team about how to prevent or at least delay joint replacement. 

You can’t always avoid shoulder problems, since accidents and injuries can happen despite your best intentions. However, there is much you can do to help keep your shoulder joints — and the muscles and tendons that support them — healthy.

Pain comes in all shapes and sizes. And, like suits, car accessories, and streaming services, pain management works better when customized to fit your needs and lifestyle. 

Joint pain can occur in any season, but the damp cold of winter can turn mildly achy joints into painful reminders that something has gone wrong. Read our team’s insights regarding managing joint pain year-round, even in winter.

Broken bones (fractures) are common, painful, and may take months to heal. Some fracture types are more common in children; others tend to affect adults, and a few favor athletes. Read more about common fracture types and how they’re treated.

Narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal may cause significant symptoms — or not. It all depends on where the stenosis occurs and the extent of the stricture. So who’s at risk? Anyone, but some factors can increase your odds.   

Motor vehicle accidents can cause significant injury. However, it’s not uncommon to feel fine immediately afterward. You may not develop muscle, joint, or ligament pain for hours, days, or even weeks. Learn the facts about delayed pain.

Surgery is rarely the first treatment we consider for painful back conditions. But there does come a time when damaged discs are best addressed with an operation. Our team discusses when and why it might be time for disc replacement surgery.

Are you frustrated about spending so much time on the bench while your sprain, strain, or tear heals? Learn more about the benefits of PRP injections and how they can get you back in the game faster after a sports injury.

Not looking forward to another episode of the burning, shock-type back and leg pain that accompanies bouts of sciatica? Then, keep reading to learn how to prevent sciatica from spoiling your routine.

A pinched spinal nerve could eventually resolve on its own. However, are you sure you want to wait that long? Many conservative therapies offer relief from the pain and other symptoms related to irritated or inflamed spinal nerves.

Many people have heard of gout, but not so many understand it — unless, of course, you’ve experienced this notoriously painful type of arthritis. Our team explains the fundamentals of gout and how injection therapy can help relieve your symptoms.

Creaky, painful hips are often thought of as a senior issue. However, you’ll likely start feeling the effects of hip impingement long before you hit retirement. Check these facts about hip pain and when your physician might suspect impingement.

Lots of folks treasure the benefits of working from home. However, that comfy spot on the sofa or kitchen table workstation may be causing neck pain. Read more about solving your pain with improved workspace ergonomics.

Surgery is not usually your first treatment option for rotator cuff issues. However, there can come a time when it’s necessary. Our specialists explain when and why they may recommend surgery to repair your rotator cuff.

Spinal stenosis tends to worsen over time and may eventually cause unrelenting pain, muscle weakness, and difficulty standing or walking. Our specialty team shares facts about tackling spinal stenosis before it interferes with your daily routine.

Whether you want to go pro or just maintain your starting spot on the neighborhood team, back pain can interfere with your athletic goals. Read what our premier sports medicine team says about sports-related back pain and when to see the doctor.

Chronic knee pain is a major cause of disability, and it tends to become worse as you get older. When conservative treatments don’t work, knee replacement can be a great option — but can you be too old for this surgery? We have the answer.

Bone fracture repair is a natural process — the human body has an incredible ability to regrow new bone after a break. However, fractures must be placed in the optimal environment to ensure a proper and complete healing.

A bulging disc is a common, age-related spine injury. The spine is made up of stacked vertebrae with spinal discs sitting between each one. The tough discs provide cushioning, support, and shock absorption and movement to the vertebrae.

Here’s the scene: you were involved in a car accident recently. It was scary, and you felt a little shaken up afterward, but you walked away from the scene unharmed and feeling fine.

Let’s be honest: a medical condition with the term “spur” in the name sounds painful right off the bat. Bone spurs (also called osteophytes) are overgrowths of bone that form along bone edges — usually around joints.

Spinal disc degeneration is a natural and normal part of aging. Tough, rubbery spinal discs wear many hats in the spine — they cushion and protect vertebrae, absorb shock, and facilitate spinal movements like bending and twisting.

A herniated disc in the lumbar or cervical spine can lead to significant back pain. If the disc is pressing against a spinal nerve root, you may also have leg pain, numbness, weakness, and other symptoms.

There are multiple reasons you may need to see an orthopedic surgeon — to repair a sports injury, remove a herniated disc, decompress a pinched nerve, or another reason.

Disc protrusion (also called a bulging disc) is a common back injury that affects intervertebral discs in the spinal column. Intervertebral discs separate vertebrae and provide cushioning, support, movement, and shock absorption in the spine.

Per the CDC, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as “a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.”

A head injury is any injury that affects the brain, skull or scalp. Head injuries can range in severity from a mild bump, bruise, or scrap, to a severe brain bleed or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

There’s nothing worse than achy, throbbing shins to put a crimp in your exercise regimen. If you’re experiencing shin pain in one or both legs during exercise, you may have a case of shin splints (medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome). 

When your back pain reaches the point where you need to see a doctor, do you know where to turn for the best care? Integrity Spine and Orthopedics is a premier Jacksonville spine center in your local community.

Tendonitis — also called tendinitis — is a medical condition that describes swelling, inflammation and irritation of a tendon. Tendons are the fibrous, corded tissues that attach muscle to bone and aid in muscle movement.

Integrity Spine and Orthopedics is your trusted, local Jacksonville orthopedic institute. We provide forward-thinking spine and orthopedic care in northeast Florida and the Space Coast.

What is whiplash? Whiplash is a neck injury commonly sustained in high-impact and rear-end car accidents.

Bone spurs (osteophytes) are small projections of extra bone that form on the ends of bones, usually in the joints. If you’ve ever felt small, hard bumps in your fingers, toes, or heels, you may be feeling a bone spur.

Witnessing a car accident can be nearly as frightening and stressful as being in one yourself. In the aftermath of witnessing a car crash, you may be asking yourself: what are my responsibilities if I see an accident near me?

This past year, Integrity Spine and Orthopedics made a charitable donation to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund in support of the 2020 1010XL Radiothon.

What is a pinched nerve? A pinched nerve occurs when a nerve in the body is compressed by surrounding tissues. A nerve can be compressed by ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage or bone.

What is a fracture? A fracture occurs when a bone is broken or cracked. While human bones can withstand an incredible amount of force, too much impact exerted on a bone leads to a break.

An annular tear is an injury that occurs to one of the intervertebral spinal discs. Spinal discs sit between each vertebrae in the spine. They cushion and support the spinal bones, absorb shock, and help the spine move, bend and twist flexibly.

A back injury can significantly disrupt your normal life. Back pain and injuries are a primary reason for missed work, missed school, doctor’s visits, and disability in the United States.

Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain is a common cause of low back pain. The two SI joints in the spine connect the bottom of the spine (sacrum) to the tops of the hip bones (ilia) on both sides of the body.

Neurosurgeons are specialists who treat brain, spine, spinal cord and nervous system injuries and diseases.

Approximately 25% of cases of low back pain are caused by sacroiliac (SI) joint pain and dysfunction. The SI joints are located deep in the body and attach the spine to the hips. When the joints become inflamed, have excessive movement, or have too little

The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human body. It starts in the lumbar spine and branches off to run down each hip, buttock, thigh, calf and foot. The sciatic nerve innervates multiple muscles and skin cells in the lower extremities.

The term “inflammation” gets a bad rap, but it’s an incredibly important component of a healthy immune system.

A dislocated shoulder is a painful and fairly common injury that occurs when the upper arm bone partially or completely pops out of its socket, which is attached to the shoulder blade.

Occasional joint pain is common, especially if you play sports or live a very active lifestyle. A creak in your knee, a twinge in your shoulder, a dull ache in your hands some mornings — you may chalk these pains as a normal part of getting older.

Playing sports, exercising and living an active lifestyle is healthy and enjoyable. But with increased activity comes the increased risk of sports-related injuries.

Setting a New Year’s resolution is tradition for millions of people across the United States. The start of a brand-new year offers fresh hope and a blank slate to improve your finances, health and wellness, relationships, job or overall life.

The Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) is Florida’s primary health care agency.

In the State of Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) is responsible for licensing and regulating Florida’s health care facilities, including long-term and post-acute facilities, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. 

What is AHCA? The American Health Care Association (AHCA) was founded in 1941. It’s a national association that represents thousands of health care facilities in the United States.

Your primary care physician is responsible for treating fevers and illnesses, evaluating you for medical conditions, and managing your overall health and well-being.

If you’re living with achy knees or hips, morning stiffness that makes it hard to get out of bed, or pain when climbing stairs, you may be wondering what to do next.

An orthopedic specialist diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. The musculoskeletal system includes your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.

For many people with back pain, back surgery is the last thing they want to think about.

Consider this: sleeping in a strange position, lifting a box that’s a little too heavy, dancing in the kitchen…..all of these everyday activities have the potential to cause a back injury.

The medical condition characterized by narrowing of the spine is called spinal stenosis. By itself, spinal stenosis may be a painless condition. Many older adults live with some degree of spinal narrowing and don’t realize it.

Did you know that a concussion is classified as a mild traumatic brain injury? A violent blow to the head can cause your brain to move around your skull and become injured.

Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the open spaces within the spine. Narrowing can occur in the vertebral passageway that protects the spinal cord or in the bony passageways where spinal nerves exit the spine and travel to other areas of the body.

Pain is an incredibly pervasive condition that affects every aspect of our lives. People living with pain often experience difficulty concentrating at work, going out and socializing, and enjoying time spent with family and loved ones.

Foraminal narrowing is a specific type of spinal stenosis, a back condition that occurs when the open spaces within the spine narrow. The foramina are bony passageways located between the vertebrae in the spine.

A dislocated knee is a rare, but very painful and serious injury. Dislocation occurs when the bones in the knee joint are not in proper alignment. The bones may be disrupted by a traumatic incident like a fall, car accident or sports collision.

A pinched nerve in your neck occurs when soft tissues in the body apply too much pressure to a nerve and restrict its ability to function properly.

Per year, approximately 6.8 million people in the U.S. experience a bone fracture. Human bones are incredibly strong (as strong as steel), but they will still break when an outside force or impact is applied and exerts more pressure than the bone can bear.

Spinal discs are one of the most important structures in the spine. They sit between the vertebrae, where they provide cushioning, support and shock absorption to the bones of the spine.

Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms people experience after being involved in a car accident. And that’s no surprise because the head and neck are relatively unsupported and unstable during high-impact collisions.

What is a bone spur? Bone spurs — also called osteophytes — are outgrowths of bone that form where the ends of bones meet in joints. Bone spurs commonly develop with age and many people live with them for years, undetected.

Under Florida law, all licensed drivers who own a car must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage with their insurance company. Why? Because Florida is one of 12 no-fault states.

The sciatic nerve is the biggest and longest nerve in the human body. In reality, the “nerve” is not a single nerve. It’s actually made up of 5 nerve roots that cluster in the lumbar spine and sacrum.

Being in a car crash can feel overwhelming, scary and intensely stressful. It may be hard to stay calm and keep a cool head right after a collision, which can lead to uncertainty over what to do next.

Even minor car accidents can cause major injuries. If you believe you’ve sustained a car accident injury, you may be wondering where to turn for help and treatment.

If you’re suffering from excruciating back or neck pain, you may be wondering: where is a spine surgeon near me? 

Witnessing a car accident can be scary and stressful, whether it’s a minor accident, a hit and run or a fatal crash. You may not know what to do or how you can provide assistance in that kind of traumatic situation.

Being in a car crash is an incredibly frightening and stressful situation. And unfortunately, what comes after is just as stressful: seeking medical help for injuries, repairing damages to your car, and negotiating with your insurance company...

Disc protrusion is a type of spinal disc herniation. Disc herniation is a common form of intervertebral disc damage that’s caused by age, natural wear and tear, traumatic accidents (falls, car accidents, sports collisions),...

The human body is not designed to handle the large amount of force and physical impact it absorbs during a high-impact car accident.

Disc extrusion is a specific type of spinal disc herniation. Although the term “herniated disc” is typically used to describe all herniation injuries, there are 3 types of disc herniation: protrusion, extrusion and sequestration.

Whether or not to get surgery during COVID-19 was probably not a decision you expected or wanted to make this year. However, as we face the reality of living with the virus for at least several more months, we have to figure out ways to move forward. 

Degenerative spine conditions develop as a result of natural wear and tear on the spine. As we age, years of overuse, repetitive movements and repeated injuries begin to cause deterioration of the structures that make up the spine.

Minor car accidents are extremely common. Unexpected fender benders happen at stop signs and stoplights, and in parking lots, driveways and neighborhoods. If you’re involved in a minor accident, you may be wondering what steps to take next.

Spinal stenosis is an umbrella term that describes the narrowing of open spaces in the spine. The most common cause of stenosis is age-related degeneration of the joints and intervertebral spinal discs.

Integrity Spine & Orthopedics is committed to providing exceptional medical care to our patient while also in the spirit of transparency, and to meet current federal regulations, we provide this list of gross charges for our provider services.

It’s likely that you’ll be involved in a car accident at least once in your life. When that situation occurs, it’s important for you to know the steps you should take next to protect your health, safety and finances.

Annular tears are back injuries that develop in the spinal discs, which sit between the 33 vertebrae of the spine. The main functions of spinal discs are to cushion the vertebrae, absorb shock and help the spine move fluidly.

At Integrity Spine and Orthopedics, we are closely watching the COVID-19 pandemic and following how it’s affecting people in our practice area and around the country.

WHAT ARE COMMON BACK INJURIES CAUSED BY CAR ACCIDENTS?

Degenerative joint disease (DJD) goes by several different names, including osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, and wear and tear arthritis. It’s a common form of arthritis that affects over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. 

The shoulder is the body’s most mobile joint and can move in several directions. For us, that’s amazing, because it means we can perform a wide range of pushing, pulling and swinging motions with ease.

Degenerative disc “disease” (DDD) is not truly a disease. It’s a condition that develops when normal wear and tear on the spinal discs cause pain, instability and other symptoms.

Rotator cuff injuries and tears can cause significant shoulder pain and make everyday activities like getting dressed, opening doors and carrying bags difficult. At night, laying on painful shoulder injuries can cause you to lose sleep. 

What is a collapsed Disc? Spinal discs sit between the 33 vertebrae of the spine. They cushion the vertebrae, absorb shock and pressure, and aid in spinal flexibility and mobility.

Car accidents are a primary cause of neck injuries, with more than 80,000 car crashes with neck injuries reported in the U.S. annually.

Research indicates that between 15-30% of people with chronic low back pain are suffering from sacroiliac (SI) joint pain.

Car accidents are traumatic events, especially if you’re involved in a crash that occurred through no fault of your own. You might feel frightened, in shock or in pain after a high-impact collision, and not sure how to proceed next. 

Minimally invasive surgery was introduced to the medical world in the 1980s as a safer alternative to traditional open surgeries.

Trauma is one of the 3 most common causes of broken bones. During a traumatic event like a car accident, your body is placed under extreme stress, which can lead to significant injuries.

Arthritis is an umbrella term that includes all injuries and conditions of the joints. The primary symptoms are pain, inflammation and stiffness in the affected joints.

There are no shortcuts in the healing process. After you’ve suffered an injury in a car crash, full recovery takes time and care.

Bone spurs — also called osteophytes — are smooth, hard overgrowths of bone that form on bone edges. These bony projections develop in joints, where 2 bones meet. They commonly form on the joints of your hands, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, spine and heels

One of the most important steps you can take after being in a car accident is finding medical help. Even if you feel no pain or injuries at the time, you may have head, soft tissue or spinal injuries that require a medical examination to detect.

Scoliosis describes a lateral curve in the spine that is greater than 10 degrees. The backbone can curve in a “C” or “S” shape. This spinal condition is most common in children and adolescents at the age of puberty, but it can develop in people of all ages

Being in a car accident is a scary, stressful experience, even if the crash is a minor one. Following a car collision, the most important first action you can take is to stay calm, even though you may feel scared, dazed, confused, in pain or even angry. 

A pinched nerve — also called a compressed nerve — occurs when surrounding tissues press on the nerve roots and disrupt the nerve’s normal functioning.

A herniated disc — also called a slipped disc or ruptured disc — is a common cause of back pain, sciatica and weakness among adults ages 30 to 50. Spinal disc herniation may affect anywhere from 5-20 people per 100 adults annually.

Joints mark the point where 2 bones meet. They’re found at your shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. Joints allow your limbs to move, which is why joint pain and damage can severely impact your life and ability to function normally.

Human bone is as strong as steel, which means it can withstand an incredible amount of impact without taking damage. However, in conditions where bone is placed under more stress or force than it can bear, it may crack, break or shatter.

Approximately 250,000-500,000 people in the U.S. have symptoms of spinal stenosis, and lumbar spinal stenosis is the leading diagnosis for adults age 65+ who undergo spine surgery. The condition primarily affects adults over the age of 50.

WHAT IS A CONCUSSION? A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that millions of Americans sustain every year. Sports and recreational activities alone cause between 1.6 to 3.8 million concussions in the U.S. yearly.

Many people recognize sciatica by the sharp, radiating pain that affects only one side of the body.

More than 1 million Americans suffer whiplash injuries every year and approximately 10% of those people end up with chronic neck pain from the injury.

Back pain is a pervasive medical condition shared by millions of Americans — experts predict that 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. One of the most common sources of persistent back pain is a bulging disc in the spine.

The times are constantly changing – and the medical field is no exception. Lately the whole world has been affected by a Novel Coronavirus labeled COVID-19.

At Integrity Spine & Orthopedics, we are making a continuous effort to keep you informed about the precautions we are taking regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Have you been told you’re a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery, but aren’t quite sure what it is? Are you wondering if minimally invasive surgery is right for you?

Hearing the words “you need spine surgery” is not something most people dream about. Surgery of any kind is never ideal, but spine surgery comes with its own unique set of difficulties.