Anil Kesani

Description, Risk Factors, and Causes of Radiculopathy

A member of the North American Spine Society or commonly abbreviated to NASS, Anil Kumar Kesani MD is a former orthopedic and spine surgeon at Southland Orthopedics LTD. Dr. Anil Kesani’s approach to treatment is detailed at myspinemd.com/physicians. He is experienced in treating spine problems such as stenosis and radiculopathy.

Radiculopathy occurs when a nerve root in the spine is compressed or irritated. This results from damage to a nearby intervertebral disk, which may occur due to injury or for no apparent reason. Radiculopathy results in uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness of the affected area. Depending on where the compression occurs, radiculopathy can be categorized into three main types: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar.

Tumors of the spine, bone spurs, spinal arthritis, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and diabetes are common risk factors associated with radiculopathy. Cauda equine syndrome, a condition that occurs with severe compression of lumbar spinal nerve roots affects the lower extremities of the body, including the pelvic organs, also can cause radiculopathy. Excessive weight, poor posture, age, and repetitive motions also can be contributing factors.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis – How It Develops

Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic surgery, Anil Kumar Kesani MD completed his spine surgery fellowship at the University of Western Ontario – Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry. Dr. Anil Kesani is experienced in operative and non-operative treatment for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine problems, and has explained back pain, causes, and diagnosis in online videos such as “Quick Breakdown of Back Pain” at youtube.com/watch?v=4Ugj1gbdrDc.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal around the lower back region, which results in compression of the nerve traveling through the back to the legs. Although it is more often seen in people 60 years and older, lumbar spinal stenosis may affect younger people, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, buttocks, or calves. It also may result in cramping in the calves while walking, which results in the need for short rests periodically while walking some distance.

Narrowing of the spinal nerve usually occurs slowly in the body over many years or even decades. This happens because the disc becomes less spongy with age, causing a reduction in disc height, leading to bulging of the disc, which may extend into the spinal canal. This combined with arthritis within the spine causing bone spurs can lead to the nerves being pinched due to the compression. Superimposed inflammation of the compressed or pinched nerves can cause an increased level of nerve related pain.

What Is Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery?

An expert in minimally invasive and nonsurgical treatment of spinal conditions, Anil Kumar Kesani, MD, specializes in the latest treatments in spine surgery including minimally invasive spine surgery, motion-preserving procedures such as disc replacements and stem cell treatments. A graduate of University College London, Dr. Anil Kesani is a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Texas.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS), has a lower chance of causing extraneous damage to the spine and surrounding soft tissue than traditional techniques. With this approach, rather than removing and displacing tissue to reach the affected area, instruments are used to temporarily create an access point.

In the most commonly used MISS technique, a small incision is made and a tubular retractor or portal is inserted into it. This device pushes aside all the soft tissue, giving the surgeon access to the spine. Then, small tools are inserted into the tubular retractor one at a time to perform the necessary procedures

Multiple incisions and retractors are sometimes necessary to treat a complicated spinal issues. The entire procedure is often done with the aid of a loope magnification, microscope and/or fluroscopy, because the tools and working area is so small.

A Dissolving Screw Is Showing Promise

Dr. Anil Kesani is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in spinal conditions. In his practice, Anil Kumar Kesani, MD, thoroughly explores noninvasive treatment options before considering surgical intervention. When surgery is required to treat things like bone fractures, orthopedic surgeons sometimes have to employ screws to affix bone fragments to each other in the correct position.

These screws, sometimes used in conjunction with plates or rods, sometimes the implants can cause problems such as pain from hardware irritation or prominence and have to be removed from the body once fusion has occurred, and they also have to be very stable both chemically and mechanically. Medical device manufacturers are constantly devising new innovations in this area, coming up with new and better alloys and designs.

Current research in this field is exploring the possible use of biodegradable polymer or magnesium screws. These screws are mechanically very stable in the initial stages after an operation, but slowly dissolve in the body, eliminating the need for another procedure to remove them. Their slow and controlled dissolution apparently creates no bone or tissue damage. These bio-compatible implants are currently being evaluated and appear to be very promising.

What Is CES and What Causes It?

Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Anil Kumar Kesani practices orthopedic spine surgery at SpineMD in North Richland Hills, Texas. Despite his surgical knowledge, Anil Kesani, MD, reserves spine surgery for extreme conditions that either require emergency treatment or do not respond to nonsurgical options, such as spinal cord compression and cauda equina syndrome (CES).

Most people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives, but are typically capable of avoiding surgery. However, some lower back problems, particularly when they are extreme, maybe a sign of CES, a rare and serious condition that often requires surgical treatment. This condition results when the spinal nerve roots become severely compressed, causing permanent leg paralysis or incontinence when untreated.

Usually, CES may occur in adults who have experienced spine injuries. Severe lumbar disk ruptures are the most common cause of CES, but it can also result from a narrowing of the spinal canal, or a spinal lesion or tumor. Further, trauma to the area (as may occur following a fall or car crash) increases the risk of CES, as do infectious and inflammatory conditions in the spine.

Though the condition is more common in adults, it has been seen in children. When CES occurs in kids, it’s usually due to either a spinal injury or a birth defect.