Dr. Kendall E. Carll II, M.D.

Sounds like they need to see a scoliosis specialist at Baylor Dallas; I recommend Dr. Hostin or Dr. Avramis. I hope they get the help they need and soon.

Warm regards,

Kendall Carll, MD

Sorry to hear about your pain/discomfort! I would apply ice or heat to the affected area. Take an over-the-counter NSAID like Advil or Ibuprofen. Don't do any flexion or extension activities that would cause it to flare up or exacerbate it more. Massage as needed. If this condition consists for more than a few days, you should get a consult and detailed imaging like an MRI to see exactly what's going on.

Best wishes,

Kendall Carll, MD

Has the doctor told you what surgery you need? Have you asked your doctor if he/she thinks you will be able to play at the next level after surgery? Whether you will be able to return to football at the most elite level will really depend on what your condition is and what surgery you need. There are many D1 players and NFL players who have had back surgery. The other thing to consider is whether you can get back to playing without surgery. If you sat out the whole season doing therapy and other conservative treatments and you are still unable to play, surgery may be your only chance to return to the field.

Stay positive. Talk to your surgeon - I bet he has had the same conversation before.

Best wishes,

Kendall E. Carll, MD

If you have radiating pain to your arms or hands while sitting upright, it could be related to a cervical (neck) condition. If you're only having these symptoms while lying on your arm or in a different position, it could be poor circulation due to the position. A consultation would be the best option if you continue to have these symptoms.

Osteonecrosis is a lack of blood flow to the bones/joints & makes the bones more susceptible to fractures, etc. Your body can repair itself with time and heal the destroyed bone. Also, steroids and alcohol can slow the healing.

Early diagnoses can be treated with medications. If the disease has caused severe damage, surgeons who specialize in joint-preserving and joint-replacement surgeries can perform procedures designed to improve mobility and relieve pain.

I however, do not perform these surgeries; I specialize in spine conditions and surgery. I would reach out to an extremity (hip, knee, shoulder, etc.) orthopedic specialist or general orthopedic doctor first, and go from there.

Best wishes,

Kendall Call, MD

It really depends on where the pain and symptoms are; if it's isolated to one area, or if it radiates. I would start with over-the-counter NSAIDs such as Advil and Ibuprofen as needed. Try applying heat or ice to the affected area. If your pain persists, the best doctor to evaluate first would be your primary care or a pain specialist. The pain specialist can evaluate your pain and get the details to decide which specialist you would need to see, if any. Hopefully it's a condition that can be treated with physical therapy and medications. It's always best to schedule an appointment to see exactly what your diagnosis is, so you can get the best treatment and outcomes.

Best wishes,

Kendall Carll, MD

It very well may be an onset of scoliosis. Some scoliosis is noticeable with palpation. You can flex your spine forward (bending over to reach your toes) and sometimes you can see the curvature of your spinous processes (the parts of your vertebral body that stick out on your dorsal spine). The best thing to do is see a spine doctor, like me, to evaluate your spine and degree of your curve if it is scoliosis. Most of the time, it's not problematic, but good to know your long-term outcomes if that is your diagnosis.

Best wishes,

Kendall Carll, MD

It's hard to determine what it may be without a physical examination of the lump, bulge, or mass near your spine. Most synovial cyst develop in the lumbar spine (lower back). These cyst can sometimes cause nerve pain depending on the size and location.
If you are having pain or discomfort, or even need a peace of mind with a diagnosis, you should schedule an appointment with a spine specialist, like me.

Best wishes,

Kendall Carll, MD