Blog Archive

Replacing damaged and diseased parts of the body with artificial devices can offer life-changing results. And minimally invasive techniques mean they come with fewer risks, side effects, and faster recovery times. However, that doesn’t mean you’re back to yourself immediately, especially if you undergo artificial disc replacement surgery. Dr. Arien...

Spondylosis may seem like a complicated word, but it’s the term for osteoarthritis in the spine. This is one of the most prevalent forms of arthritis that becomes increasingly common with age. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s easy to spot or to live with. More than 80% of...

Learning that you need brain surgery can cause a flurry of emotions, especially fear. Fortunately, medical advancements have made it possible to treat even the most complex conditions using minimally invasive surgery. While the prospect is still scary, you can receive highly effective treatment safely and with fewer risks. Dr. Arien...

Spinal fractures, also known as vertebral fractures, don’t get much attention, but they’re a common problem in the United States, especially vertebral compression fractures related to osteoporosis. These breaks occur because of thinning or weakening bones and happen an estimated 1.5 million times each year. For many people, a fracture...

Radiation therapy isn’t a new form of cancer treatment. However, a lot has changed since this form of therapy first appeared in the early 1900s — especially when the CyberKnife® system came on the scene in 1994. CyberKnife technology can handle even the most complex cancer treatments — including those...

Each year, up to 2% of Americans end up with a herniated disc. Herniated discs occur when you damage the intervertebral tissue between the bones in your spine.  When healthy, these rubbery discs act like cushions between your vertebrae, helping your spine bend and move with ease. However, discs are also highly vulnerable to...

If you live with spinal stenosis, you should know that this is a common problem seen in up to 95% of people by the time they reach age 50. It’s possible to have this spinal problem without any symptoms. But when symptoms arise, they can include: Back pain or neck pain Radiating pain, numbness or...

There’s a reason people want to avoid surgery — it can be scary, unpredictable, painful, and it comes with risks. But when you have chronic pain conditions like degenerative disc disease, it can offer the best solutions when conservative treatments fail to help.  Fortunately, robotic technology is revolutionizing spinal surgeries,...

Ruptured discs are also called slipped, herniated, or bulging discs. While this common problem may have many names, it always describes an intervertebral disc problem. More specifically, it’s a disc with its center tissue pushing through its tough exterior.  Dr. Arien Smith at Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey specializes...

Osteoarthritis is a widespread problem, affecting more than 32 million Americans. What sets this prevalent form of disease apart from other types of arthritis is the progressive degeneration it causes in cartilage surrounding your joints. This is also what causes osteoarthritis symptoms to worsen with time. When most people talk...

Medical treatments and therapies can be confusing, especially when you have a scary diagnosis like brain or spine cancer. Fortunately, breakthroughs in technology are making it easier than ever to treat even the most complex conditions. At Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey, Dr. Arien Smith...

There’s a lot to love about technology, including how it has made working from home easier than ever. Unfortunately, it’s also led to more and more people struggling to find relief for neck pain and back pain when they don’t use proper posture. Neck pain isn’t a new problem. But...

Spinal stenosis is a common disorder, causing symptoms in up to 500,000 Americans each year. However, few people understand the condition or how to spot the signs of a problem. As a board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Arien Smith brings his expertise in nonsurgical and surgical treatments for spinal stenosis to Brain...

Hearing the term “robotic surgery” can have you wondering if you’re in the middle of a science fiction movie. However, robotic-assisted surgical systems have been around for decades, and the technology keeps getting better. Dr. Arien Smith performs robotic surgery for certain spinal procedures at Brain and Spine Institute of...

Surgery always comes with risks. However, procedures with smaller incisions make the same surgeries far less risky, painful, and traumatic on the body. The result? Better outcomes and faster recovery times. At Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey, Dr. Arien Smith rounded out his training in...

If you’ve heard about hip or knee replacements, you understand the basic concept of artificial disc replacement. This surgery removes and replaces a damaged disc in your spine to decrease pain while preserving your normal spinal movement. The 24 intervertebral discs in your spinal column act like shock absorbers. These...

Fighting a pain in your neck? You’re not alone. Approximately 80% of people experience neck pain at some point in their lifetime. And for 20%-50% of them, it becomes an annual problem. Fortunately, the right treatment can make your symptoms a distant memory. As a neurosurgeon, Dr. Arien Smith specializes...

Do you have spinal stenosis? This common problem occurs when the space between your spine and spinal cord narrows, and it affects 8%-11% of Americans, most often those over age 50. Spinal stenosis puts unwanted pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots in the area, triggering neck pain or...

In the past, the mere prospect of undergoing surgery made it difficult to face. That’s because surgery often required large incisions that came with pain, the risk of infection, and lengthy recovery times. But now, even complex conditions can benefit from minimally invasive surgical approaches. After graduating from Yale University...

In the past, tumor treatment often required invasive surgical procedures or numerous rounds of radiation therapy. But the cutting-edge technology used in the CyberKnife® System makes it possible to perform even the most complex tumor treatments more accurately and less invasively. CyberKnife can deliver high doses of targeted radiation to...

Surgery is never easy, but it’s come a long way in recent years. Now, doctors can perform complex surgeries with small incisions and specialized instruments. And robotic technology is providing even greater precision and better medical outcomes. At the Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey, Dr....

Neck pain is a common problem, especially for adults. In fact, an estimated 15% of American adults experience at least one full day of neck pain over a three-month period. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean all neck pain is equal, especially when it involves nerves. If you have...

Back pain is a common problem. In fact, an estimated 70%-80% of people will have some form of lower back pain during their lifetime. While most people don’t need surgery to ease their symptoms, it can still be the best option when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. Dr. Arien...

Failed back surgery syndrome describes a fairly straightforward problem. Simply put, your spine surgery didn’t resolve your back pain or neck pain. However, this condition can also cause confusion and frustration for patients and their surgeons. Dr. Arien Smith treats both adult and pediatric spine and brain disorders at Brain...

Herniated discs go by several names, often called ruptured, bulged, prolapsed, or slipped discs. No matter which term you use, they all describe the same problem with the cushiony shock absorbers in your spine. At the Brain and Spine Institute of New York and New Jersey, fellowship-trained and board-certified Dr....

Neck pain is a common problem affecting an estimated 80% of people at some point during their lifetime. It may simply seem uncomfortable and annoying, but it can also be a sign of an underlying condition. Plus, ignoring neck pain can increase your chances of other health complications and impact...

Your spine connects your brain and peripheral nervous system and is crucial to your ability to bend, twist, stand, and sit. Your spinal cord houses bones, nerves, joints, tissues, and discs and can be the source of a variety of mild, chronic, or severe pain.  At Brain and Spine Institute...

If you experience tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in your wrists, you may be struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome. Arguably today’s most common nerve disorder, it affects an estimated 4-10 million people in the United States. Thankfully, you don’t have to attempt to grin and bear carpal tunnel symptoms.  Dr....