News

Is Tony Romo’s Herniated Disk Injury More Severe than Originally Thought?

Last Friday, Tony Romo underwent surgery for a herniated disk sustained during a game with the Washington Redskins. It was reported to be a herniated disk at the L4-5 level. In April, Romo underwent surgery for what the Dallas Cowboys called a “spinal cyst” and recovered uneventfully. These cysts are more precisely known as facet cysts and are usually a precursor to a more serious condition, degenerative spondylolisthesis. Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a genetic condition that…

Facet Cysts and the Development of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is a genetic condition of the spine. The disorder starts with a breakdown of the intervertebral disk and progresses to slippage or “listhesis” of one spinal vertebra on another. This creates nerve root compression and spinal stenosis resulting in leg pain, back pain and the inability to walk long distances. The hallmark of this condition is instability within the bones and disk of a spinal segment. Common treatment for this disease is physical…

Return to Play After Anterior Cervical Discectomy

Return to Play After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in Professional Athletes Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion surgery (ACDF) has received a great deal of attention recently. We have all been inundated with news about Peyton Manning’s return to play after multiple neck surgeries and a year out of football. One of the questions always addressed is, “Can athletes return to competitive, contact sports, such as football or wrestling, after an anterior cervical discectomy and…