tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:46:14 +0000IntroductionKyphoplastybisphosphonatesMusculoskeltal RadiologyradiologyspinoplastymedicationswebsiteOsteoporosisvitamin DPainVertebroplastyVertebral Compression FracturesMeetings and EventsExploring a variety of options to bring back pain levels down from ten to zero without invasive surgery. Learn about causes of pain such as vertebral fractures, spinal stenosis, facet degeneration and the most effective technologies to treat them.http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)Blogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-9158174921186082420Thu, 05 May 2011 02:16:00 +00002011-05-04T19:44:45.524-07:00Here we show the difference between two types of MRI. One is the industry standard, high field 1.5 Tesla MRI that has superb image quality. This is the larger image on the top. The second, middle image is from a low field 0.3 Tesla MRI that has inferior image quality. There are several technical problems with this images. This is a low field magnet that does not have optimized imaging http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/05/you-pay-for-it-and-your-doctor-may-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. James Webb)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3781216167005646399Tue, 05 Apr 2011 20:47:00 +00002011-04-05T20:21:47.283-07:00I continue to be amazed by the attitude taken by many spine surgeons regarding fixation of vertebral fractures. I can only assume that they are either uneducated or callous. On a daily basis I hear local surgeons opine (either directly or indirectly through my patients) that vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty 'don't work', that fractures get better by themselves and that having a fracture 'won't http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/04/life-or-death-fixing-your-fracture.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-2576221040061502047Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:50:00 +00002011-03-22T17:06:49.220-07:00A new study in the March 21st issue of the journal, Arthritis Care & Research found that people in car wrecks have an 84% increased risk of developing new onset chronic pain.The study was done at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, UK. The researchers reviewed over 2,000 patients who suffered from chronic pain. Out of these, 241 patients had new onset of chronic widespread pain after http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/03/on-car-crashes-and-chronic-pain.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. James Webb)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-8033949641055782609Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:44:00 +00002011-03-21T16:11:00.911-07:00Some days it's just incredible how life sets gifts on your door.Today I had a patient in his forties who has been suffering from back pain since a motorcycle wreck 17 years ago. We all know people who were hurt in a wreck or other accident when we were in high school. This still young man had been living with back pain for two decades. He had had three back surgeries, one of which didn't http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-i-love-my-job.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dr. James Webb)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-9040569738619870345Wed, 09 Mar 2011 23:38:00 +00002011-03-09T15:45:42.405-08:00This is one of the most common 'chief complaints' I hear from patients with back pain. Often they have seen several doctors and lumbar fusion has been recommended.Often, lumbar fusion surgery is contemplated in patients who have spinal stenosis with 'neurogenic claudication'. This occurs when you have pain that is worse with standing and/or walking and relieved by sitting. Fortunately, in http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-dont-want-spine-surgery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-45314515453726908Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:35:00 +00002011-02-02T14:46:45.542-08:00I am often asked what I can do for patients in chronic pain that have seen multiple physicians. Often these patients are on chronic narcotics for pain and their doctors have given up on finding a solution for their pain. As an aside, for chronic pain, opiate narcotics such as lortab really just exacerbate the problem. We frequently see patients who come to us who have seen other doctors, had http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/02/help-and-hope-when-other-doctors-have.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3374326833252273329Fri, 21 Jan 2011 13:33:00 +00002011-01-21T05:33:00.483-08:00A phenomenon associated with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) that is documented in the medical literature is the fact that 10% of these fractures have radicular symptoms that mimic a slipped disc and that goes away with fixing the fracture. Think about it. We all know patients with thoracic fractures that presented like rib or anterior chest pain or angina (radicular pain). Often a http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/01/radicular-pain-from-fractures.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-8852443475644141224Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:03:00 +00002011-01-19T23:23:36.905-08:00The Question--Chronic FracturesI had a question today from a chiropractor regarding so-called chronic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs). In particular, this regarded a patient with a 3 year old fracture. The Answer Is EasyLet me be clear--in my experience, as long a vertebral fracture is clinically symptomatic, it has a near 100% success rate with vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty. By http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/01/question-chronic-fractures-i-had.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-6225500708759068860Fri, 14 Jan 2011 05:27:00 +00002011-01-13T21:32:04.175-08:00I recently had a patient ask if I performed many sacroplasties. The answer is absolutely. I counted 22 patients that we performed sacroplasty on in 2010. I have two patients scheduled for sacroplasty in the next two weeks. Sacroplasty was part of my fellowship training and I often get referred sacral fractures from other doctors around the state as well as in Tulsa. For example, we often http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2011/01/insurance-wont-cover-sacroplasty-we.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-6345942646090645260Fri, 19 Nov 2010 22:15:00 +00002010-11-19T14:41:10.626-08:00One of the most frequently asked questions I hear about vertebral fractures is this. Does placement of bone cement via vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty make the adjacent level more likely to fracture? This is a medical 'old wives tale' that is generally propagated by people who aren't familiar with these procedures. Those who think bone cement causes adjacent level fractures usually suggest that http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/11/does-kyphoplasty-cause-adjacent-level.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-976236145120013518Thu, 11 Nov 2010 17:26:00 +00002010-11-11T10:15:10.246-08:00There are a variety of reasons that a person can have a pathologic fracture. A simple bone cyst, metastasis, or other lesion that replaces normal bone can make the bone more susceptible to injury. Relatively mild stress from normal activities or minor trauma, such as getting a finger caught in a door (as in this patient) may cause a fracture.More aggressive processes can appear similar, so thishttp://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/11/post-traumatic-bone-cyst.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-7873179974405968584Mon, 08 Nov 2010 21:47:00 +00002010-11-08T14:14:05.074-08:00New research from the National Cancer Institute suggests that screening helical CT scans in heavy smokers can save lives. In fact, the study compared patients who were heavy smokers and were screened for lung cancer by either chest x-ray or helical CT scans (also known as "CAT Scans"). What researchers founds was a surprising outcome--those that were screened using CT were 20% less likely to http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/11/can-ct-scans-in-smokers-save-lives.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-6841875153743368892Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:40:00 +00002010-10-28T20:40:19.121-07:00http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/about-mild-procedure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-4081646442998277240Tue, 26 Oct 2010 05:11:00 +00002010-10-25T22:13:38.066-07:00By using a structured approach, >97% of our patients last year were helped without the need for invasive surgery.Although most people with pain get better, some don’t. For those with continued pain, Dr. Webb can offer real hope for targeted pain relief. Not only is Dr. Webb an expert pain , in pain management, he is also board certified in Radiology. This makes him uniquely qualified to both http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/back-pain-relief-without-surgery-or.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-9084756413658414313Fri, 15 Oct 2010 04:41:00 +00002010-10-14T21:48:15.657-07:00Today is a post about pain that I don't usually see. Apparently Proctor and Gamble has changed something about their diapers and it appears to be causing severe diaper rashes in babies. And I'm not talking about just a bad diaper rash. These newborns are experiencing a chemical burn that causes bleeding and oozing. Unfortunately, I know this from experience. Our newborn was using the new http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/today-is-post-about-pain-that-i-dont.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-301963664237335863Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:20:00 +00002010-10-06T19:20:13.573-07:00The Vertos MILD procedure is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. The procedure is done completely through a needle sheath and under x-ray guidance. The company has released data from its ongoing FDA trial. So far, 67 percent of study participants had a successful outcome based on pain relief and improved function. In addition, to date, patients have shown clinically significant http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-alternative-to-back-surgery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3582418285802348425Mon, 04 Oct 2010 13:53:00 +00002010-10-04T14:44:02.588-07:00OsteoporosismedicationsWe are now offering Prolia injections at our Tulsa office in continuing our tradition of bringing the latest, FDA approved treatment options to our patients with osteoporosis.Prolia (denosumab) is the first drug approved by the FDA in an entirely new class of osteoporosis-fighting medications known as RANKL, or RANK ligand inhibitors. These medications work decrease bone loss in a way that is http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/latest-news-prolia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3656235473413613729Sat, 02 Oct 2010 06:20:00 +00002010-10-01T23:20:30.844-07:00Who do you see if you have a heart attack? A cardiologist. What if you have a brain tumor? A neurosurgeon. If you have osteoporosis? There is really no one right answer.Osteoporosis is an unusual disease, in that no single medical specialist is considered the "go to" physician for treatment. If you find an osteoporosis specialist in your area, their medical specialty may vary: family practice, http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/10/who-treats-osteoporosis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3994297809347523475Sun, 26 Sep 2010 14:25:00 +00002010-10-01T09:42:08.766-07:00radiologyMusculoskeltal RadiologyIf your doctor has ordered an arthrogram, there is an alternative for many patients--they can undergo what is called an 'indirect arthrogram'. A conventional arthrogram involves a minor procedure where the skin over the joint is sterilized and draped. Then, local anesthetic is administered and a needle is placed into the joint. Next, the joint is distended with contrast and the patient then http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/09/iv-arthrogram.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-1506614248891406227Sun, 26 Sep 2010 04:01:00 +00002010-09-25T21:15:32.809-07:00Ask someone what a bone looks like and many people will think about a skeleton such as from biology class or a dinosaur skeleton in a museum. Perhaps that's because both are great visuals. Thinking of those bones, however, can give the impression that bones are static and unchanging, like rock or marble. However, our bones are an amazing, living organ with tissue that continually remodels and http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/09/strengthening-your-bones.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-7005505040944728068Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:37:00 +00002010-06-08T14:01:11.043-07:00The US Food and Drug Administration(FDA) recently approved the first drug in a new class of osteoporosis-fighting medications known as RANKL, or RANK ligand inhibitors. These medications work decrease bone loss in a way that is different from other osteoporosis medications (such as Fosamax, Boniva, etc.) The newly approved drug, denosumab (Prolia), is an injectable medication derived from a http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/06/new-osteoporosis-medication-approved-by.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3336993680942612792Fri, 07 May 2010 06:10:00 +00002010-10-12T21:45:13.288-07:00Many doctors approach patients with back pain by using narcotics or recommending surgery. By the time a patient sees a pain specialist, they are often going to get 3 steroid injections and then sent for a variety of tests leading up to spinal fusion.At our clinic, we try to help patients avoid surgery. Here are some key ways that we are different: * Advanced imaging studies, such as MRI, arehttp://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-were-different.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-1445651293203545633Tue, 23 Mar 2010 05:21:00 +00002010-03-22T22:47:42.097-07:00Dr. Webb is now offering an advanced new procedure called minimally invasive lumbar decompression, or MILD. The MILD procedure is a great technological advance over invasive surgical fusion. For patients with back pain due to lumbar spinal stenosis, the MILD procedure may be the key to avoiding invasive back surgery. Traditional invasive lumbar fusion typically takes several hours, requires a http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/03/new-treatment-for-spinal-stenosis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3200776758984640931.post-3035692370492055893Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:45:00 +00002010-01-21T07:22:45.025-08:00You Paid How Much?There are many places where common sense could save a lot of money in healthcare. For example, you would never pay $3,000 for a procedure that could cost you $300--or would you?When you're suffering from a painful vertebral compression fracture (VCF), cost is often the last thing on your mind. However, by choosing the wrong doctor, you could end up with a procedure that costs http://drjimwebb.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-to-save-over-3000-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (James Webb, MD)0