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Richard Kim MD MS Inc Blog View all posts

How to Tell If You Have a Herniated Disc
Herniated discs can affect people of all ages, but most often appear in people aged 30 to 50 years. Identifying the signs gives you the chance to seek early treatment that eases your pain and prevents potential complications.
May 9th, 2023

Why Do I Always Have Left-Side Neck Pain?
If you “always” or frequently have neck pain on either side of your neck, you should schedule an evaluation with a skilled neurologist. Ongoing or severe neck pain signals problems that typically worsen and can lead to permanent nerve damage.
Apr 1st, 2023

Understanding the 5 Main Causes of Sciatica
Sciatica affects 40% of adults at least once in their lifetime, and for many, it turns into a chronic and often debilitating condition. Though sciatica has numerous causes, they all lead to one problem: a pinched sciatic nerve.
Mar 14th, 2023

Determining Your Best Treatment for Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is a cancerous brain tumor that rapidly infiltrates the surrounding tissues. It’s essential to seek prompt medical attention and make quick treatment decisions. Here, our doctor shares common glioblastoma warning signs and treatments.
Feb 16th, 2023

When Should I Consider Surgery for Chronic Back Pain?
If you have chronic back pain, chances are you’ll reach a time when the pain gets so severe you wonder if you should consider surgery. Here are three signs that surgery to repair the root cause is the best way to relieve your pain.
Dec 13th, 2022

Tips to Prevent Spinal Osteoarthritis
Nagging low back pain could arise from several possible causes, but one of the most common is spinal osteoarthritis. The key to preventing this painful condition is following a healthy lifestyle throughout your adult life.
Nov 9th, 2022

How Pain in Your Bottom Can Signal Disc Problems
It may sound strange, but it’s true: Pain in your buttocks can signal problems in your lower back, including damaged discs. How is that possible? Read on to learn how buttock pain arises from numerous back conditions.
Sep 8th, 2022

Understanding Your Surgical Options for Sciatica
If sciatica doesn’t improve with several months of nonsurgical care, chances are your leg pain will persist and may progressively worsen. When sciatica doesn’t improve, surgery can dramatically ease your symptoms and help you reclaim an active life.
Jul 12th, 2022

The Many Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Do you still suffer from back pain because you don't want to face spine surgery? Let’s talk about minimally invasive spine surgery. Compared to open surgery, this technique reduces your risks, helps you heal faster, and has better results.
Jun 1st, 2022

Does a Brain Tumor Require Surgery?
Whenever possible, brain tumors are removed through surgery. For this reason, you always want to consult a neurosurgeon who has experience performing brain surgery and expertise in today's most advanced brain surgery techniques.
May 5th, 2022

How an X-ray Can Detect the Root Cause of Your Sciatica
You may temporarily ease the pain of sciatica with physical therapy, but if you want long-lasting relief, you need treatment that deals with the root cause. The only way to identify the underlying cause is with diagnostic images like X-rays.
Mar 8th, 2022

The Link Between Personality Changes and Glioblastoma
Learning you have glioblastoma is an overwhelming experience. Though you're already on overload, you need to know what to expect over the course of your disease. For many, that means being prepared for personality changes.
Dec 9th, 2021

Symptoms of a Pinched Nerve
You expect a pinched nerve to cause extreme pain, but that's not the only symptom you may experience. You could have the opposite problem, numbness, as well as other problems. Learn how to recognize the signs of a pinched nerve.
Nov 18th, 2021

Understanding the Different Treatments for Back Pain
A first bout of back pain often heals, but in 20% of cases, it turns into a long-lasting condition that causes debilitating pain. Since you may encounter several levels of care, Dr. Kim explains the different treatments for back pain.
Oct 17th, 2021

Recognizing Symptoms of a Spinal Tumor
Most spinal tumors are benign, but as they grow, they cause debilitating symptoms and significant spine damage. Recognizing the symptoms of a spinal tumor allows you to seek medical care at the earliest stage while the tumor is easier to treat.
Sep 23rd, 2021

Help for Your Sciatica
If you have sciatica, the longer you wait to seek treatment, the higher your risk of developing long-term pain and disability. Even if you already had medical care that failed to improve your symptoms, help is available for sciatica.
Aug 23rd, 2021

Recognizing Compression Fractures
You may be surprised to learn that recognizing a compression fracture isn’t always easy. It’s important to learn the signs so you can get treatment as soon as possible. Here’s the info you need to know about compression fractures.
Jul 14th, 2021

Five Advantages of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
When spine surgery is your best chance for pain relief and returning to an active life, you need to ask if you’re a good candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery. Learn about its surprising benefits, like going home the same day.
Jun 21st, 2021

Can Degenerative Disc Disease Be Prevented?
You may not be able to stop the effects of time on your spinal discs, but you can slow down degenerative disc disease and prevent the back problems it causes. Learn how lifestyle changes can protect your discs.
May 18th, 2021

Radiculopathy: Beyond a Pain in the Neck
Most people push through neck strains and wait for the pain to go away. But radiculopathy raises the stakes, causing neck pain that you can’t afford to ignore. Radiculopathy causes symptoms beyond your neck and can lead to permanent nerve damage.
Apr 12th, 2021

The Importance of Understanding Glioblastoma
No one wants to think about brain cancer, but it’s important to be aware of glioblastoma. Why? Because it’s an aggressive and dangerous disease. You need to know the symptoms so you can get fast treatment that improves your outcomes.
Mar 15th, 2021

Am I a Candidate for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
If your back or neck pain doesn’t improve with conservative treatment, it may be time to talk about surgery. And if you need spine surgery, you should consider a minimally invasive procedure. Here’s how to learn if you’re a good candidate.
Feb 15th, 2021

Understanding the Different Types of Brain Tumors
With names like astrocytomas and ependymomas, brain tumors sound like they’re alien structures. But you can make sense of the many different brain tumors by learning about the common types and how they ended up with their odd-sounding names.
Jan 17th, 2021

Help! I Think I Have a Pinched Nerve
Pinched nerves may subtly announce their presence with slight pain. Or they may burst onto the scene with a sudden, severe pain that stops you in your tracks. Here’s what you need to know about pinched nerves and when you should see a doctor.
Dec 7th, 2020

In the OR with Dr. Kim: Removing a Brain Tumor
This article explains some of the techniques employed in the modern neurosurgical resection of a brain tumor. In this case example, I use stereotactic guidance, brain mapping, and microsurgical dissection. (Warning, contains surgical images.)
Nov 4th, 2020

5 Ways to Help Prevent Your Sciatica From Flaring Up
Sciatica affects 40% of all adults, causing lower back and electric-shock pain that shoots down your leg. If you struggle with sciatica, you know that sciatica flare-ups are common. Learn five ways you can prevent painful flare-ups.
Nov 2nd, 2020

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
This article describes the techniques of minimally invasive spine surgery, who is a candidate, and the benefits. Contains surgical images.
Oct 26th, 2020

Spotting the Warning Signs of a Herniated Disc
Did you know that most herniated discs first appear in people aged 35-55 years? As you get older your risk also increases, so it’s important for all adults to know the warning signs and to seek early help for a herniated disc.
Oct 12th, 2020

Treatment Options for Brain Tumors
Only 30% of brain tumors are malignant, yet they rank as the eighth most common cancer in people aged 40 years and older. When faced with a brain tumor, you need a skilled doctor and information about your treatment options. That’s where we can help.
Sep 7th, 2020

What is Spinal Stenosis?
Are you having problems with back or neck pain? How about tingling, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs? It could be spinal stenosis. Find out what that is and how a medical specialist can help.
Aug 9th, 2020

Can A Herniated Disc Heal On Its Own?
If you are suffering from the pain of a herniated disc, you might be wondering if it could heal on its own with enough ice, rest and Advil. The answer is that it depends on the circumstance.
Mar 20th, 2019

Understanding the Basics of ALIF
Spinal surgery can be approached in various different ways, depending on the needs, goals and the anatomy of each patient. Spinal fusion, for example, can be performed from different angles, each with their own set of risks and benefits.
Mar 4th, 2019

What Is Microdiscectomy?
Microdiscectomies are one of my specialties, and they are especially effective as a treatment for patients who are experiencing the pain and tingling that results from a herniated disc in their spine.
Feb 20th, 2019

Can ACDF Relieve Your Chronic Neck Pain?
One of the methods that I sometimes suggest to patients to alleviate chronic neck pain is a surgical procedure known as anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).
Dec 26th, 2018

Do You Suffer from Facet Joint Syndrome?
Back or neck pain can originate in the facet joints of your spine, leading to a condition called facet joint syndrome. Unlike other causes of back or neck pain, facet joint syndrome pain may be sporadic or intermittent.
Dec 3rd, 2018

What Is Interventional Spine Medicine?
Interventional spine medicine is an innovative approach to treating back pain. Using a holistic approach, the medical team—which could be made up of a spinal surgeon such as myself, a physical therapist, a pain management specialist ...
Nov 5th, 2018