Each guide is a short series of videos that explains one condition and its treatment options, with three levels of depth for every topic. Open any guide to preview exactly what your patient will see — then share it with them.
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These short videos explain your condition and the surgery Dr. Mekhail is planning with you. Watch them in order, at your own pace — and bring any questions to your next visit.
Each topic has three levels. Start with Quick Basics — it only takes a couple of minutes. Move to Learn More or In Depth whenever you're ready. Tap any level below to watch the video.
Before we talk about what's wrong, it helps to see what a healthy lower back looks like — the bones, discs, and nerves we'll be talking about.
A pars defect is a small crack in part of the vertebra. When that crack lets one bone slip forward over the one below it, it's called spondylolisthesis. These videos explain how this happens and why it causes pain.
Through a small opening at the front, we remove the worn disc and place a spacer that helps the two bones grow together — holding the slipped bone in its proper place.
In the same operation, small screws and rods are placed from the back of the spine to hold everything steady while the bones heal together — like an internal brace.
Your surgery will use robotic guidance. The robot doesn't operate on its own — it acts like a very precise GPS, helping your surgeon place each screw exactly where it needs to go.
Practical steps to prepare for the day of surgery — what to expect before, during, and right after.
Once you've watched the videos that apply to you, Dr. Mekhail's care team is here to answer anything that's still on your mind. Give the clinic a call and we'll make sure you feel ready for your procedure.
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These short videos explain spinal deformity — when the spine curves or leans out of its natural balance — and walk you through how it's corrected. This is a bigger surgery, so take your time, and bring any questions to Dr. Mekhail at your next visit.
Each topic has three levels. Start with Quick Basics — it only takes a couple of minutes. Move to Learn More or In Depth whenever you're ready. Tap any level below to watch the video.
Your spine has natural curves that keep you balanced and upright with little effort. This explains how that balance works.
A quick tour of the bones, discs, and nerves of the spine — the parts we'll be talking about.
In adult deformity, the spine can tilt forward or sideways so that standing straight takes effort and becomes tiring or painful. This explains why that happens.
Strong bones help the correction hold and heal. Because this surgery relies on bone quality, here's how to understand and protect yours.
To straighten the spine, the surgeon carefully reshapes and re-aligns the bones. This video explains the techniques used to restore your balance.
Screws and rods hold the corrected spine steady while it heals — like a long internal brace. Here's what that hardware does.
Because deformity surgery works close to the nerves, we use special monitoring throughout the operation to protect them. This explains how.
Practical steps to prepare for this bigger operation — what to expect before, during, and right after.
Once you've watched the videos that apply to you, Dr. Mekhail's care team is here to answer anything that's still on your mind. Give the clinic a call and we'll make sure you feel ready for your procedure.
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These short videos explain spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the space around your nerves — and the treatment options, including what happens if your spine also needs to be steadied. Watch them at your own pace, and bring any questions to Dr. Mekhail.
Each topic has three levels. Start with Quick Basics — it only takes a couple of minutes. Move to Learn More or In Depth whenever you're ready. Tap any level below to watch the video.
A quick tour of the bones, discs, and nerves in your lower back — the parts we'll be talking about.
Your spine protects a bundle of nerves. Understanding them helps explain the symptoms stenosis can cause in your legs.
Stenosis means the space around your nerves has narrowed, squeezing them. This can cause leg pain, heaviness, or cramping — often worse with walking and better when you sit or lean forward.
Sometimes the bones of the spine also shift or slip, which is called instability. Whether or not this is present changes the kind of surgery that helps most.
Special bending X-rays (flexion-extension films) let us see whether the bones move too much. This helps us choose the right treatment.
Many people manage stenosis for a long time with activity changes and safe movement. These tips are a helpful starting point.
Your plan may also include physical therapy or an injection — we'll go over those with you in person.
If your spine is steady, surgery focuses on making more room for the nerves by removing the tissue that's pressing on them. This video shows how pressure is relieved.
This video explains nerve decompression in general; a lower-back-specific version is on the way. Ask us if you'd like more detail.
If there's instability, we both relieve the pressure and join the bones together to steady them. TLIF is a common way to do this through the back.
When a fusion is needed, small screws and rods act like an internal brace while the bones heal together. Here's what that hardware does.
Practical steps to prepare for the day of surgery — what to expect before, during, and right after.
Once you've watched the videos that apply to you, Dr. Mekhail's care team is here to answer anything that's still on your mind. Give the clinic a call and we'll make sure you feel ready for your procedure.
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These short videos explain what's causing your neck and arm pain, the treatments we can try first, and the surgical options if you ever need them. Watch them in order, at your own pace — and bring any questions to Dr. Mekhail.
Each topic has three levels. Start with Quick Basics — it only takes a couple of minutes. Move to Learn More or In Depth whenever you're ready. Tap any level below to watch the video.
A quick tour of the bones, discs, and nerves in your neck — the parts we'll be talking about.
The discs are the soft cushions between the bones of your spine. Here's what they do and why they matter.
When a disc in your neck bulges or tears, it can press on a nearby nerve — causing pain, tingling, or weakness that travels into your shoulder, arm, or hand.
Each nerve in your neck travels to a specific part of your arm. This explains why a problem in your neck is felt in your arm or fingers.
Sometimes we use a nerve test (EMG/NCS) to see exactly which nerve is affected and how it's working.
Many neck and arm symptoms improve with time and non-surgical care. These tips on safe movement and protecting your neck are an important first step.
Your plan may also include physical therapy, medication, or an injection — we'll go over those with you in person.
ACDF removes the worn disc and joins the two bones together to take pressure off the nerve. It's one of the most common and reliable neck operations.
Instead of fusing the bones, an artificial disc can replace the worn one — keeping more of your natural neck movement. We'll discuss which option is right for you.
What to expect on the day of surgery, plus how to care for yourself at home afterward.
A 'Learn More' home-care video is in production; the Quick Basics and In Depth versions are ready now.
Once you've watched the videos that apply to you, Dr. Mekhail's care team is here to answer anything that's still on your mind. Give the clinic a call and we'll make sure you feel ready for your procedure.
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These short videos walk you through what's causing your leg pain, the treatments we can try first, and what surgery would involve if you ever need it. Watch them at your own pace, and bring any questions to Dr. Mekhail.
Each topic has three levels. Start with Quick Basics — it only takes a couple of minutes. Move to Learn More or In Depth whenever you're ready. Tap any level below to watch the video.
A quick tour of the bones, discs, and nerves in your lower back — the parts we'll be talking about.
The discs are the soft cushions between the bones of your spine. Here's what they do and why they matter.
When a disc bulges or tears, it can press on a nearby nerve. This is what causes the pain, tingling, or weakness running down your leg.
Each nerve in your back travels to a specific part of your leg. This explains why a problem in your spine is felt in your leg or foot — often called sciatica.
Sometimes we use a nerve test (EMG/NCS) to see exactly which nerve is affected and how it's working.
Most disc problems improve with time and non-surgical care. These tips on safe movement and protecting your back are an important first step.
Your plan may also include physical therapy, medication, or an injection — we'll go over those with you in person.
If the pain doesn't settle, a small operation can remove the piece of disc pressing on the nerve. This video shows how it works.
Practical steps to prepare for the day of surgery — what to expect before, during, and right after.
Once you've watched the videos that apply to you, Dr. Mekhail's care team is here to answer anything that's still on your mind. Give the clinic a call and we'll make sure you feel ready for your procedure.