Dissection: A Spine Blog

Dissecting the latest in spine health and life at Dr. Katsuura’s Spine Clinic.

I try to share interesting and educational concepts in spine care and focus on the joy of medicine and surgery.

This blog is 100% human produced.

Imagine Having a Marble Stuck in Your Back
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Imagine Having a Marble Stuck in Your Back

Dr. Katsuura, a board certified spine surgeon practicing in Marin, Novato, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco treats a wide range of back and neck conditions in his spinal clinic. He is an expert in minimally invasive, reconstructive and motion preserving procedures.

Here we recount the story of a patient with a marble sized disc herniation in her back causing extreme pain. Learn how we restored her back to full mobility.

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Fire Chief Conquers Cervical Stenosis
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Fire Chief Conquers Cervical Stenosis

In this post we learn about a Fire Chief who battled with a condition known as cervical stenosis that resulted in the loss of use of his arm.

Dr. Katsuura, a board certified spine surgeon practicing in Main, Novato, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco treats a wide range of back and neck conditions in his spinal clinic. He is an expert in minimally invasive, reconstructive and motion preserving procedures.

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“I Couldn’t Put on My Jewelry”
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

“I Couldn’t Put on My Jewelry”

In this post we learn about a condition known as cervical myelopathy which can result in devastating neurological consequences if left untreated.

Dr. Katsuura, a board certified spine surgeon practicing in Main, Novato, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco treats a wide range of back and neck conditions in his spinal clinic. He is an expert in minimally invasive, reconstructive and motion preserving procedures.

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Feeling 30 Again.
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Feeling 30 Again.

Dr. Katsuura, a board certified spine surgeon practicing in Marin, Novato, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco, discusses his approach using the microdiscectomy procedure for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations.

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Is it Possible to Get a New Neck?
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Is it Possible to Get a New Neck?

Dr. Katsuura, a board certified spine surgeon practicing in Main, Novato, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco also discusses his treatment approach using the artificial disc replacement (ADR/CDR) for cervical disc degeneration and cervical spinal cord compression (cervical myelopathy).

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First Day In the OR
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

First Day In the OR

In this Post and Video, Dr. Yoshihiro Katsuura, a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon practicing in Marin, Mendocino, Novato, San Francisco, Sonoma shares the first impressions of his premedical student entering the world of surgery.

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Preventing “Burnout”
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Preventing “Burnout”

Dr. Yoshihiro Katsuura, a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon practicing in Marin, Mendocino, Novato, San Francisco, Sonoma explains how the structure of the lumbar vertebra can be used as a tool to help prevent burnout in patients and physicians.

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Exercises for Acute/Chronic Low Back Pain/Injury Prevention
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Exercises for Acute/Chronic Low Back Pain/Injury Prevention

Dr. Yoshihiro Katsuura, a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon practicing in Marin, Mendocino, Novato, San Francisco, Sonoma explains a simple exercise routine to help keep your back healthy. In this video we explore why exercise is so critical for low back health, common pitfalls and the three components of a low back exercise program. Please check with your doctor before starting a low back pain program. If you have had prior surgery, please check with your surgeon if these exercises are right for you.

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Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): What Your Surgeon Wants You to Know
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): What Your Surgeon Wants You to Know

Dr. Yoshihiro (Yoshi) Katsuura, a board certified orthopaedic spine surgeon serving Marin, Mendocino, Novato, Sonoma, and San Francisco explains epidural steroid injections and how they are used to treat spine pain.

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used, but patietns have many misconceptions about what they can and cannot do. Here I provide a summary on their use from the perspective of a spine surgeon.

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One Year Down!
Yoshihiro Katsuura Yoshihiro Katsuura

One Year Down!

Spine surgeon serving Marin, Novato, Mendocino, San Francisco and Sonoma counties in California celebrates first year down in solo private practice.

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