Patient Resources
Spine Health — Frequently Asked Questions
General answers to common questions about spine conditions, treatment, and when to seek care. This is educational information only — see the disclaimer below.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is general educational content only. It is not medical advice, does not apply to every individual situation, and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified physician for diagnosis and treatment of your specific condition.
Understanding Your Condition
What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
Both involve changes to the intervertebral discs that cushion the vertebrae. A bulging disc means the disc has expanded outward beyond its normal boundary but the outer shell remains intact. A herniated disc (also called a ruptured or slipped disc) means the inner gel-like material has broken through the outer shell. Both can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness — but not all herniated or bulging discs require surgery.
What is spinal stenosis?
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal — the tunnel that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. When this space narrows, it can compress nerves, leading to pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the back, legs, or arms. Stenosis most commonly occurs in the lumbar (lower) or cervical (neck) spine and is often related to age-related wear and arthritic changes.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is usually caused by compression or irritation of a nerve root in the lumbar spine — most often from a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. True sciatica typically causes sharp, burning, or shooting pain in one leg, often accompanied by numbness or tingling. Most cases improve with conservative treatment.
What is myelopathy and why is it different from radiculopathy?
Radiculopathy refers to symptoms (pain, numbness, weakness) from a pinched nerve root in the spine — sciatica is a form of lumbar radiculopathy. Myelopathy is a more serious condition in which the spinal cord itself is compressed, often in the neck (cervical myelopathy). Symptoms may include clumsiness in the hands, difficulty walking, balance problems, or changes in bowel/bladder function. Myelopathy may progress without treatment and often warrants surgical evaluation sooner than radiculopathy alone.
Will my herniated disc heal on its own?
In many cases, yes. The body's immune system can reabsorb disc material over time, and the inflammation that causes nerve irritation typically subsides. Most patients with a herniated disc improve significantly within 6–12 weeks with conservative treatment (rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, and possibly an epidural steroid injection). Surgery is generally considered when symptoms are severe, persistent after conservative care, or when neurological function is deteriorating.
About Your Appointment
Do I need a referral to see Dr. Chavarria?
Many insurance plans do not require a referral for orthopedic or spine specialist visits. We recommend checking with your insurer before your appointment. If your plan does require a referral, your primary care physician can provide one.
What imaging should I bring?
Please bring the actual images — MRI, CT, or X-ray — on disc or in digital format, not just the radiology report. Dr. Chavarria reviews your spine directly and cannot make a full assessment from the written report alone. If you do not have your imaging, we can help you obtain it before your visit.
Will Dr. Chavarria recommend surgery at my first visit?
Not necessarily. Dr. Chavarria's approach is conservative-first. He will review your history and imaging, discuss all options, and recommend surgery only when it is clearly the best path for your specific situation. Most patients are first managed with physical therapy, medications, or injections.
How long does a consultation appointment take?
Plan on approximately 45–60 minutes for a new patient consultation. Dr. Chavarria takes time to review your imaging with you, discuss your history in detail, and explain all of your options. You will not feel rushed.
Treatment and Surgery
What conservative (non-surgical) treatments are usually tried first?
Conservative options depend on the condition but commonly include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and epidural or facet steroid injections. Most spine conditions are managed without surgery. Surgery is typically considered after conservative treatment has been given an adequate trial — usually at least 6 weeks — and symptoms have not improved sufficiently, or when neurological function is at risk.
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) uses smaller incisions and specialized instruments to perform procedures that traditionally required large open incisions. The goals are reduced blood loss, less damage to surrounding muscle, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. Not every procedure or patient is a candidate for a minimally invasive approach — Dr. Chavarria will explain which technique is appropriate for your situation.
How long is recovery after spine surgery?
Recovery timelines vary widely depending on the procedure, your age, overall health, and whether a fusion is involved. Simple decompression procedures (such as microdiscectomy) often allow return to light activity within 2–4 weeks. Fusion procedures typically require 3–6 months for the bone to solidify, though most patients are up and walking the day after surgery. Dr. Chavarria will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific procedure.
What is the risk of spine surgery?
All surgery carries risk, including infection, bleeding, nerve injury, and anesthesia-related complications. Spine surgery also carries a small risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak or adjacent segment disease over time. Dr. Chavarria will walk you through the specific risks of your procedure before you make any decision. Risks must always be weighed against the risk of not treating the underlying condition.
What if my first spine surgery did not help — can I still be seen?
Yes. Dr. Chavarria evaluates and treats patients who have had prior spine surgery and continue to have symptoms, a condition sometimes called failed back surgery syndrome or adjacent segment disease. He welcomes these complex cases and will give you an honest assessment of what further options may be appropriate.
Finding the Right Spine Surgeon
Who should I see for back pain, neck pain, or sciatica in Reno, NV?
For persistent neck or back pain, sciatica, or numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, an orthopedic spine surgeon can evaluate whether the problem is coming from your spine and what your options are. Dr. Joseph Chavarria is a board-certified, dual-fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon serving Reno, Sparks, Carson City, and the Lake Tahoe region. He is conservative-first — most patients are treated without surgery — so seeing him does not mean you are committing to an operation.
What kind of doctor treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis?
These conditions are treated by spine specialists — either orthopedic spine surgeons or neurosurgeons who focus on the spine. Dr. Chavarria is an orthopedic spine surgeon who treats the full range of spinal conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, sciatica, spondylolisthesis, cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, adult scoliosis and deformity, compression fractures, and SI joint pain, using both non-surgical care and minimally invasive or complex surgery when needed.
Where can I get a second opinion on spine surgery near Reno or Lake Tahoe?
Dr. Chavarria welcomes second opinions. If another surgeon has recommended spine surgery and you want an independent assessment — or if you have been told nothing more can be done — he will review your imaging and history and give you an honest opinion about whether surgery is necessary and what non-surgical options remain. His office serves patients across Northern Nevada and the Tahoe area.
How do I choose a good spine surgeon?
Look for board certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (or the neurosurgery equivalent), fellowship training specifically in spine, experience with your particular condition, and a conservative-first philosophy that does not rush to surgery. Dr. Chavarria is board certified and completed two spine fellowships — complex spine and deformity at West Virginia University and minimally invasive spine surgery with the Anand Spine Group at Cedars-Sinai — and recommends surgery only when it is clearly the best option.
This page provides general educational information only. It is not medical advice and does not create a physician-patient relationship. Consult your physician for guidance specific to your medical situation. In a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.