Ilyas Munshi, MD

06/04/2026

🌟 Chronic Low Back Pain Finally Relieved 🌟

After years of chronic low back pain, previous lumbar surgery, physical therapy, and epidural injections that provided only temporary relief, one patient finally found lasting improvement through advanced minimally invasive treatment with Dr. Munshi.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, imaging revealed degenerative disc disease and facet arthrosis—common causes of chronic back pain. Dr. Munshi determined that the patient's pain was facetogenic, meaning it originated from the facet joints of the spine.

The patient first underwent medial branch nerve blocks, which provided significant relief and confirmed the source of his pain. Based on those results, he became a candidate for endoscopic medial branch nerve transection, an ultra-minimally invasive procedure designed to interrupt the small nerves responsible for transmitting chronic facet joint pain signals.

Since the procedure, the patient has experienced substantial improvement in both pain levels and quality of life after years of struggling with persistent discomfort.

Benefits of Medial Branch Nerve Transection:

✔ Long-lasting pain relief
✔ Improved mobility and daily function
✔ Reduced reliance on pain medications
✔ Ultra-minimally invasive outpatient procedure
✔ Faster recovery compared to traditional spine surgery
✔ Return to activities you enjoy

If chronic back pain is limiting your life, advanced minimally invasive treatment options may help you find lasting relief.

📞 Contact our office today to learn whether you may be a candidate for endoscopic spine procedures.

05/22/2026

🎓📦 College move-in season is right around the corner! As students and families start packing, lifting, and carrying boxes, don’t forget to protect your back during the process.

Using proper lifting techniques can help prevent unnecessary strain and injury:
✔️ Bend at your knees, not your waist
✔️ Keep items close to your body
✔️ Avoid twisting while lifting
✔️ Ask for help with heavy items
✔️ Take breaks to avoid fatigue

Whether you’re moving into a dorm, apartment, or helping your student get settled, safe lifting habits can make move-in day smoother and safer for everyone. 💪

05/18/2026

⭐Eight out of 10 adults experience back pain in their lives.* ‍

⭐Learn about ultra-minimally invasive medial branch nerve transection (MBT), a procedure performed with an endoscope. MBT targets facet-joint arthritis and its related pain by transecting the nerve, which can eliminate discomfort at the joint. ‍

⭐What Are the Benefits?
• MBT is safe, effective, and provides long-term benefits up to 5 years post-surgery*
• 75% of patients had significantly reduced pain after 5 years*

⭐Learn more about Endoscopic Spine solutions: https://www.arthrexendoscopicspine.com/

*Zhou T, Salman D, McGregor AH. Recent clinical practice guidelines for the management of low back pain: a global comparison. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25(1):344. doi:10.1186/s12891-024-07468-0
‍*Urits I, Burshtein A, Sharma M, et al. Low back pain, a comprehensive review: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019;23(3):23. doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1
‍*Du R, Gao J, Wang B, et al. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation and endoscopic neurotomy for lumbar facet joint syndrome: are they good enough? Eur Spine J. 2024;33(2):463-473. doi:10.1007/s00586-023-08078-5
‍*Siddiqi F, Romero J, O’Donnel C, Hayes V. Five year long-term results of endoscopic dorsal ramus rhizotomy and anatomic variations of the painful lumbar facet joint. Paper presented at: Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Annual Conference. November 1-3, 2013; Las Vegas, NV.

05/13/2026

If Dr. Munshi ordered a myelogram, here’s a simple breakdown of what to expect:

🩺 What is a myelogram?
It’s a diagnostic imaging test that helps doctors get a clearer look at your spinal cord and nerves. A special contrast dye is injected into the space around your spine, followed by X-rays to highlight areas that may not show up on standard imaging.

🔍 Why is it done?
A myelogram can help identify causes of:
• Back or neck pain
• Numbness or weakness in arms or legs
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Tumors, infections, or inflammation affecting the spine

⚙️ What happens during the procedure?
You’ll lie on an X-ray table while a physician uses imaging guidance to carefully insert a small needle into your spinal canal. After the contrast dye is injected, images are taken to evaluate your spine in detail.

🛌 Aftercare matters
Following the procedure, you’ll rest for a few hours and should take it easy for the next 24 hours. Staying hydrated helps your body clear the dye more efficiently.

💡 The goal:
To give your care team the most accurate information possible so they can diagnose and treat your symptoms effectively.

Have questions about your upcoming test? Don’t hesitate to ask our office—we’re here to help every step of the way.

05/05/2026

Not all disc problems are the same—understanding the difference can help you better manage your spine
health.

🦴 Types of Disc Disorders:
• Bulging Disc – The disc extends outward but the outer layer stays intact. It may not cause symptoms
unless it presses on a nerve.
• Herniated Disc (slipped/ruptured) – The inner gel leaks through a tear, often causing sharp, radiating
pain, numbness, or weakness (like sciatica).
• Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) – A gradual, age-related breakdown where discs lose hydration,
flexibility, and height—leading to chronic stiffness and discomfort.
• Thinning/Desiccated Disc – A more advanced stage of degeneration where the disc dries out and loses
cushioning, sometimes leading to bone spurs.

⚖️ Key Differences:
• Bulging/herniated discs are often linked to nerve compression and more sudden pain
• Degenerative disc disease develops over time and is associated with chronic aches and reduced mobility

🩺 Treatment Approaches:
• Bulging/Herniated: Physical therapy, medications, and sometimes injections for pain relief. In more
severe or persistent cases, surgical options such as microdiscectomy or discectomy may be recommended
to relieve nerve compression
• Degenerative: Focus on long-term function—exercise, lifestyle changes, and stabilization strategies.
When conservative treatments are no longer effective, surgical options like spinal fusion or artificial disc
replacement may be considered.

⚠️ Persistent back or neck pain isn’t something to ignore. If symptoms are affecting your daily life, contact
our office to schedule an evaluation.

04/27/2026

Struggling with chronic back, neck, or radiating pain? Spinal injections may offer targeted relief without surgery.

Procedures like epidural steroid injections (ESIs), facet joint injections, and nerve blocks are minimally invasive and designed to reduce inflammation right at the source of pain. Using advanced imaging guidance, medication is delivered with precision to help relieve discomfort and improve mobility.

✨ Most of these procedures are performed right in the office with little to no downtime—so you can get relief and get back to your routine quickly.

✨ Common options include:
• Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI) – for herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica
• Facet Joint Injections – for arthritis-related pain
• Nerve Blocks & Medial Branch Blocks – to identify and interrupt pain signals
• SI Joint Injections – for lower back/hip connection pain
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – longer-term nerve pain relief

💡 Benefits:
✔ Reduces inflammation
✔ Provides pain relief
✔ Improves function and movement

If medications or physical therapy haven’t been enough, these treatments may be the next step toward getting you back to living comfortably.

04/01/2026

03/20/2026

Eight out of 10 adults experience back pain in their live.* ‍

If you have nerve pain radiating into one or both of your legs, you are not alone. This is often caused by degenerative disc disease in the lumbar spine, which can lead to a herniated disc. If this condition is compressing your nerves, endoscopic spine surgery may help relieve pain and restore mobility. ‍

Learn more about Endoscopic Spine solutions: https://www.arthrexendoscopicspine.com/

‍*Zhou T, Salman D, McGregor AH. Recent clinical practice guidelines for the management of low back pain: a global comparison. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024;25(1):344. doi:10.1186/s12891-024-07468-0

*Urits I, Burshtein A, Sharma M, et al. Low back pain, a comprehensive review: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2019;23(3):23. doi:10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1

Explore ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgical techniques designed to restore function, preserve motion, minimize pain and get you back to the life you love.

01/21/2026

🧠 A Second Chance After a Silent Threat 🧠

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are among the most dangerous conditions in neurosurgery—not because they are common, but because they are often undetected until they rupture. When an AVM bleeds, it can cause sudden brain hemorrhage, permanent neurological damage, or death.

Recently, Dr. Munshi was consulted on a patient with worsening headaches, confusion, and vision loss. Imaging revealed a significant hemorrhage in the back of the brain. He underwent the appropriate workup/evaluation and was consented for surgery.

The patient underwent a left occipital craniotomy to evacuate the hemorrhage and remove the source of bleeding. Despite the life-threatening nature of the rupture, surgery was successful. Post-operative imaging confirmed complete removal of the abnormal blood vessels, no remaining vascular abnormality, and the patient steadily improved.

Today, he is home, walking independently, cleared by therapy, and continuing to regain strength, memory, and visual function. His recovery is a testament to what is possible when advanced neurosurgical care meets timely intervention.

📌 Why this matters:
Hemorrhagic AVMs can strike without warning. Persistent headaches, vision changes, confusion, or sudden neurological symptoms should never be ignored. Early evaluation can save brain function—and lives.

Every recovery like this reinforces our mission: to intervene when it matters most and help patients reclaim their lives.