Large herniated lumbar disc causing severe back and leg pain
Common spinal problems include disc herniation, spinal stenosis (arthritic narrowing), spondylolisthesis, (slippage of the vertebrae) and bone spurs can cause a wide range of symptoms from pain, numbness, weakness, gait disturbance and in severe, but rare, cases may cause paralysis, and loss of bowel, bladder and sexual function. Dr Johnson has a vast understanding of these complex problems and their management is an essential part of his daily practice and represents the majority of the 6000 spinal procedures he has performed in his career. Previous surgery or “failed back surgery” is also a challenging problem that is also a large part of Dr Johnson’s practice that he developed experience often taking on some of the most challenging cases.
Publications:
Drazin D, Shirzadi S, Jeswani S, Ching H, Rosner J, Rasouli A, Kim TK, Pashmam R, Johnson JP: Direct surgical repair of spondylosis in athletes: indications, techniques, and outcomes. Neurosurg Focus 31 (5):E9, 2011
Illustration of spondylolisthesis causing stretching of the lumbar
spinal nerves
Filler AG, Haynes J, Jordan SE, Prager J, Villablanca JP, Farahani K, McBride DQ, Tsuruda JS, Morisoli B, Batzdorf U, Johnson JP: Sciatica of non-disk origin and piriformis syndrome: diagnosis by MR neurography and
interventional MRI with outcome study of
resulting treatment. J Neurosurg Spine2(2):99-115, Feb 2005.
Textbook:
Yue J, Guyer D, Johnson JP, Khoo LT, Hochschuler ST: The Comprehensive Treatment of the Aging Spine Minimally Invasive and Advanced Techniques. Elsevier Publishing Philadelphia, PA 2010
