• Reviews: “I Trust Him With My Life”

    If you’re looking for a spine surgeon in the Los Angeles area, the Marina Spine Center is your best choice. With over 30 years of experience, our doctors are experts at minimally invasive procedures and pride ourselves on excellent service and bedside manner. Take a look at our latest reviews on Yelp and see what our patience have to say about us. We would love to hear from you. Take a moment to leave a review of your own on our Google+ page.

    “Dr Watkins spent a lot of time with me, e xplaining my condition and treatment options.” – Joe. A.

    Spine Surgery in Los Angeles

  • A Look at Cervical Fusions

    Cervical spine surgery focuses on the vertebrae in the neck. This part of the body requires a delicate balance to enable you to have the proper support and range of motion for your neck. The cervical spine must be strong enough to hold up the head and flexible enough to keep the neck moving. Keep reading to learn more about cervical fusions and how they can help you and your neck:

    Surgery to Join Bones in the Neck
    Cervical fusions are usually performed after an injury to keep the neck stable and to prevent a broken bone from causing paralysis. This kind of cervical spine surgery can also correct problems with misaligned vertebrae or offer relief for spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, rheumatoid arthritis, or other cervical spinal issues. During the procedure, the spine surgeon joins bones in the neck to create stability for the rest of the cervical spine.

    Cervical Spine Surgery in Los Angeles

    Different Methods to Join the Bones
    There are a few different ways to perform cervical fusions. The surgeon can either use bones from another part of your body or use some from a bone graft to create a union between adjacent

    vertebrae. A surgeon might also use metal implants to fuse the vertebrae until new bone develops between them. Surgeons can also screw the bones together using metal plates or remove a vertebrae and then fuse the spine. Surgeons could also take out a spinal disc before fusing the vertebrae.

    Results After Surgery
    Most patients who get a cervical fusion must stay in the hospital to recover after the procedure is complete. They might also have to wear a neck brace to keep the neck stable throughout the healing process. If you have suffered a neck injury, spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or rheumatoid arthritis, you might want to talk to your doctor about how cervical spine surgery in Los Angeles can help you regain your range of motion and stability in your neck.

  • Alternatives to Spinal Surgery

    Spine surgery should be your last resort when you are trying to alleviate back pain. If you work with a reputable spinal specialist, he or she should try alternative methods to help you gain strength and decrease pain.

    Chiropractic methods, acupuncture, and physical therapy are better alternatives to surgery. A spinal doctor should work on decreasing the pain and inflammation enough so a patient can do exercises that improve the trunk muscles. Once these muscles are stronger, there will not be as much stress on the spine.

    Check out this video to learn more about alternatives to spinal surgery in Los Angeles. If you suffer from back pain, you should work with a doctor that will try to find the best solution.

  • Common Causes of Lower Back Pain

    Millions of Americans suffer from lower back pain. Anything from muscle strain to sciatica could be responsible for this discomfort. Keep reading to learn more about some of the most common causes of lower back pain:

    Muscle Strain
    If you are experiencing pain when you move, walk, or stand, you might have strained one of your back muscles. Back muscle strain does not usually extend past the knee, but it does present a dull ache. It might also cause moderate or severe muscle spasms or soreness in the area. You can strain one of these muscles by lifting an object incorrectly, twisting, or moving too quickly. If the pain does not go away on its own, you might want to schedule an appointment with a doctor.

    Sciatica Los Angeles

    Sciatica
    If your lower back pain extends all the way down to your legs and feet, you might have sciatica. This condition brings ongoing pain that might feel more severe in the legs and the feet. People with sciatica often feel worse after they sit or stand for long periods of time. It might also cause weakness in the lower extremities. The doctor usually tries non-surgical therapies like medicine or physical therapy as the first treatment options for this condition.

    Herniated Disc
    A herniated disc can also cause lower back pain that extends into the legs. This kind of pain is sharp and acute and tends to worsen as it moves lower. If you have a herniated disc, a doctor will start off your treatment with medication, rest, and physical therapy. Most patients respond well to these non-surgical options. If these treatments have no effect, a doctor might suggest spine surgery near Los Angeles to correct the issue.

    Degenerative Disc Disease
    Degenerative disc disease is a result of the natural aging process. This condition is usually accompanied by pain in the neck that reaches down into the shoulder blades or the arms. Degenerative disc disease might cause numbing and tingling and can affect a person’s ability to walk. If you have these symptoms, you should see a doctor.

  • Get to Know Dr. Robert G. Watkins, III

    At Marina Spine Center, we know that our doctors offer an important service to patients experiencing all levels of back pain, which is why we only work with the best. From sciatica treatment to spine surgery near Los Angeles , Dr. Robert G. Watkins, III offers some of the best treatment options in the city. Keep reading to learn more about Dr. Watkins III and his spinal expertise:

    Dr. Watkins III is one of the leading board-certified orthopedic spine surgeons in the Los Angeles area. He serves as co-director of Marina Spine Clinic and has years of experience with everything from cutting edge spinal surgeries to treatment for sports injuries. He and his fellow doctors treat athletes from all over the country.

    Whether you have lower back pain or think you are suffering from degenerative disc disease, the doctors at Marina Spine Center are here to help you find relief for your pain. We will do everything we can do find the cause of your back pain so we know the best way to treat it.